Head of Operational Excellence (f/m/d)

Orbem is an impact-driven deep-tech startup from Munich, Germany. We develop fast, accurate, and accessible imaging solutions that provide access to otherwise unattainable sources of knowledge.

We seek to make a difference – and develop solutions to sustainably feed the world, accelerate the transition to a green economy, and transform disease detection.

Join us on our mission to unleash AI-powered imaging for everything and everyone.

Head of Operational Excellence (f/m/d)

Starting date: as soon as possible
Compensation package: €100,000 - €110,000 in yearly salary, €80,000 - €120,000 in equity. Additionally, up to €5,000 p.a. in company benefits.
Work model: Full-time, Hybrid in Munich

Your role

Orbem is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Operational Excellence to lead the development and implementation of a world-class operational framework. This critical leadership role will be responsible for establishing and nurturing a high-performing team, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring that our processes are both efficient and meet the highest quality standards, all while navigating the fast-paced environment of a rapidly growing deep tech company.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic and analytical thinker with a proven track record of building operational excellence in complex, high-tech environments. We’re looking for someone who is not only efficient and detail-oriented but also takes full ownership of their work and thrives on solving problems.

In this pivotal role, you will drive scalable growth, optimize the customer journey, and enable Orbem to deliver exceptional products and services globally. Your ability to balance big-picture strategy with hands-on execution will be key to our continued success.

Your responsibilities

As the leader who will establish our Operational Excellence department, you will: 

• Build and lead a high-performing team from the ground up, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.

• Take full ownership of operational process quality and efficiency, with a strong focus on physical processes like customer operations and supplier workflows. Collaborate closely with the Quality Engineering team to drive a holistic approach to quality across the business.

• Balance rapid growth with operational excellence, making fast, strategic business decisions while maintaining the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and scalability.

• Drive process management, continuous improvement, and quality assurance initiatives, ensuring streamlined and effective operations.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with key teams like Customer Support, Procurement & Supply Chain, and Field Operations to deliver exceptional value and operational alignment.

• Establish robust continuous improvement cycles, promoting consistent learning, adaptation, and innovation throughout the organization.

• Implement and own a comprehensive operational risk framework, proactively managing and mitigating risks to safeguard business continuity and performance.

• Design and enforce quality gates and feedback loops across the customer journey, ensuring exceptional product delivery and high customer satisfaction.

• Standardize and enforce operational best practices, including SOPs, checklists, retrospectives, and post-mortem analyses, to drive consistency, accountability, and ongoing quality improvement.

Your experiences and skills

Fit to our values

• We own every challenge: we enjoy complexity and thrive under uncertainty.

• We strive for better: we seize any opportunity for growth and challenge the status quo. We are constantly learning and improving.

• We imagine new frontiers: we think beyond ‘doable’ and ‘reasonable’. We design a sustainable and healthy future together.

Experience and skills

• 8+ years of experience in operational excellence or similar within an operational environment (e.g., installation, customer operations, project development).

• Proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and results.

• Exceptional collaboration, communication, and matrix management skills, with the ability to connect, align, and influence across diverse internal teams and stakeholders.

• Problem-solving skills, with the ability to conceptualize, structure, and resolve complex challenges efficiently and effectively.

• Experience working in and thriving in fast-growth environments, demonstrating the ability to navigate ambiguity and rapid change.

• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills, with a demonstrated ability to structure complex problems and develop effective, data-driven solutions.

• Deep understanding of customer needs and a strong customer-centric mindset, ensuring operational strategies enhance customer satisfaction and experience.

• A relentless drive to improve processes, increase efficiency, and achieve operational excellence.

What makes you stand out from other candidates

• Hands-on experience with MRIs or advanced automation equipment, with a deep understanding of complex technologies and integrated systems.

• Proven success in high-growth, deep-tech environments, showcasing the ability to scale operations and drive innovation in fast-paced settings.

• Tenacious, goal-driven, and solution-oriented mindset, consistently delivering results and exceeding ambitious objectives.

• Strong expertise in process management methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma) and quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9000), with a practical track record of implementing and improving operational processes.

What we offer

International Environment: Join a team with 40+ nationalities across 5 continents, all driven by a shared purpose: shedding light on the world’s toughest challenges.

Attractive Compensation Package:

• Stock Options: Share in Orbem’s success.

• Visa & Relocation Support: Seamless support for your move to Germany.

• Learning & Development: €1,750 annual budget for personal growth.

• Fitness Membership: Access to Urban Sports Club or Wellpass.

• Childcare Reimbursement: Support for Kita/Kindergarten fees.

• Deutschland Ticket: Full coverage of public transportation.

Work-Life Integration:

• Flexible Hours & Home Office: Work when and where it suits you.

• WFH Perks: Get €185 to upgrade your home office + a sleek external monitor on us!

• 30 Days Paid Leave: Plenty of time to recharge.

• Personal Leave: Flexibility for life’s important moments.

• Work from Anywhere: Experience new cultures and environments for up to 60 days per year.
  

Make a Difference: Join an ambitious, fast-growing team working on breakthrough technology. In our scale-up environment, you’ll have the freedom to lead your projects and make an impact. We provide a platform for you to explore, innovate, and define your vision for the future. At Orbem, we’re committed to helping you discover your strengths, and while we aim to teach you, we also want to learn from you.  

Your team

As a Head of Operational Excellence, you become part of our diverse and international team. Learn more about the team members, their work, and challenges here: www.orbem.ai 

At Orbem, we're committed to building a smart, diverse team, and we recognize that self-doubt can prevent talented individuals from applying. If you feel you don't meet every requirement, we'd love to hear from you anyway!