Site Head - Manufacturing & Product Industrialization (m/f/d)

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To strengthen our Ceramics Unit in Kenzingen , we are looking for a Site Head - Manufacturing & Product Industrialization (m/f/d) .

You will lead Straumann Ceramics in Kenzingen, taking overall responsibility for operational performance, sustainable growth, and the long-term competitiveness of our ceramics manufacturing operations.

This role combines technical leadership with business accountability. You will drive manufacturing excellence, operational efficiency, profitability, regulatory compliance, and the continuous improvement and industrialization of ceramic manufacturing processes. You will lead a cross-functional organization covering Process Engineering, Production, and Quality, with approximately 10 direct reports. You will work closely with R&D, Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Affairs, Marketing, Product Management, Procurement, and the Straumann Group leadership team.

Your responsibilities

Business Leadership & Site Management

- Lead the Straumann Ceramics organization, ensuring the achievement of business, operational, and financial objectives
- Drive sustainable growth, productivity, profitability, and operational excellence while strengthening the long-term competitiveness of the ceramics business
- Define and execute the strategic roadmap for the site in alignment with the Straumann Group strategy
- Translate business priorities into operational plans and measurable results.
- Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration across Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, Commercial, and R&D

Ceramic Process Engineering & Product Industrialization

- Lead the engineering, optimization, validation, and industrialization of ceramic manufacturing processes, from early manufacturing feasibility through stable serial production
- Ensure robust, scalable, and cost-effective manufacturing solutions that support product industrialization and manufacturing scale-up
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality, manufacturing yield, efficiency, and overall operational performance
- Ensure the effective transfer of new products, manufacturing technologies, and processes into commercial production
- Foster innovation, structured problem-solving, and operational excellence throughout the manufacturing organization

Technical & Cross-Functional Leadership

- Partner closely with R&D to provide early input on manufacturability, process robustness, technical feasibility, and product performance
- Evaluate technical feasibility, investment requirements, manufacturing risks, and business opportunities
- Lead cross-functional technical and industrialization projects, ensuring alignment between manufacturing capabilities, technical priorities, and business objectives
- Support R&D-led product innovation through manufacturing expertise, process engineering, and industrialization capabilities

Quality, Compliance & Governance

- Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, quality, and occupational safety requirements
- Maintain effective governance, risk management, and change-control processes
- Support audits, inspections, process validation, and related compliance activities
- Ensure adherence to Straumann Group standards and applicable regulations.
- Maintain accurate process documentation covering process engineering, industrialization, and serial production
- Ensure trials, results, and process changes are documented in accordance with applicable requirements

People & Organizational Leadership

- Lead, develop, and engage a cross-functional team across Process Engineering, Production, and Quality, including approximately 10 direct reports
- Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous learning
- Create an environment that encourages employee engagement, knowledge sharing, innovation, and continuous improvement
- Demonstrate effective leadership through clear communication, ownership, and the development of team capabilities

Your profile

- A degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Demonstrated leadership experience in a comparable technology-driven manufacturing environment
- Several years of hands-on experience in manufacturing process engineering, optimization, validation, industrialization, and production scale-up
- Experience in regulated manufacturing environments, ideally in medical devices, dental technology, pharmaceuticals, or another high-tech industry
- Sound knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies, Six Sigma, and Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Experience in data analysis, structured problem-solving, and technical decision-making
- Proven experience managing cross-functional projects and collaborating effectively across technical and business functions
- Professional proficiency in German and English, both written and spoken

What Makes You a Great Fit

- You think strategically and act pragmatically. You can translate business objectives and technical challenges into practical manufacturing solutions.
- You combine analytical thinking with sound judgment. You use data, scientific reasoning, and structured problem-solving to make informed decisions.
- You take ownership. You demonstrate initiative, accountability, and commitment to delivering sustainable results.
- You lead through collaboration. You communicate clearly, build effective cross-functional relationships, and enable teams to succeed.
- You embrace continuous improvement. You challenge existing processes constructively and identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, and performance.
- You bring structure to complexity. You prioritize effectively, address challenges with a solution-oriented approach, and balance innovation with operational reliability.