Specialist, Lean & Operational Excellence

Are you ready to shape the future of Lean across an entire region? Join us as a LatAm Lean Development Specialist and become the driving force behind deploying and evolving the Lean system across multiple locations in Latin America. You will connect strategy, people, and processes to deliver measurable and sustainable results. In this high-impact role, you will coach leaders, strengthen governance, and turn data into continuous improvement actions. If you thrive on transformation and creating real business impact, this is your opportunity to make a difference. 

Your responsibilities 

• You will lead the deployment and execution of the regional Lean roadmap across all locations. 

• You will manage Lean governance, including steering routines, community coordination, and accountability frameworks. 

• You will drive the regional improvement program, including suggestion systems, 5S, and training initiatives. 

• You will coach leaders, Lean specialists, and teams in structured problem-solving and continuous improvement. 

• You will monitor Lean KPIs such as savings, maturity, and engagement, ensuring alignment with global standards. 

Expectations for you 

• You have a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, Quality, or a related field. 

• You bring solid experience in Lean, operational excellence, or transformation roles in complex environments. 

• You have strong knowledge of Lean tools such as A3, Kaizen, VSM, 5S, MASP, and RCA. 

• You are experienced in KPI management and data analysis using tools like Excel, Power BI, or CI platforms. 

• You have fluent English skills; Portuguese is required and Spanish is a strong advantage. 

• You have Lean Six Sigma certification (Black Belt or strong Green Belt background) - highly desirable.

To succeed in this role 

You combine strong leadership and influence skills with a structured, data-driven mindset to drive change across functions and cultures. You are able to coach others, build capability networks, and translate strategy into execution with discipline and accountability. You challenge the status quo, simplify complexity, and maintain resilience in transformation environments. 
 
We also expect you to align with Valmet’s Leadership Principles—practical behaviours that guide how we lead, collaborate, and succeed together: 
Take accountability – Act with ownership, set clear expectations, and follow through 
Lead with courage – Champion change, try bold ideas, and learn quickly 
Build on trust – Listen to understand, be open, and create psychological safety 
Collaborate for growth – Work across boundaries, value diverse perspectives, and focus on customer value 

We offer 

You will join the LatAm Quality team, working closely with stakeholders across multiple locations to drive Lean transformation and operational excellence. The team focuses on building capabilities, strengthening governance, and enabling sustainable improvements that deliver measurable business results. In this role, you will work closely with leaders, specialists, and cross-functional teams, gaining high visibility and real impact across the region. 
 
Valmet offers an inspiring and challenging position in an international and collaborative environment. We support your growth with learning opportunities, modern tools, and flexible work practices that promote a healthy work-life balance.