Senior Director Operations CHB (Wedemark, Germany) na Sonova

Who we are

At Sonova, we envision a world where everyone can enjoy the delight of hearing. This vision inspires us and fuels our commitment to developing innovative solutions that improve hearing health and human connection - from personal audio devices and wireless communication systems to hearing aids and cochlear implants. We're dedicated to providing outstanding customer experiences through our global audiological care services, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to engage fully with the world around them.

Guided by a culture of continuous improvement that fosters resilience and self-motivation, our team is united by a shared commitment to excellence and a deep sense of pride in our work, each of us playing a vital role in creating meaningful change.

Here you’ll find a diverse range of opportunities that span both consumer and medical solutions and the freedom to shape your career while making an impact on the lives of others.
Join us in our mission to create a more connected world, where every voice is heard and every story matters.

Location: Wedemark or Hannover, Germany

Senior Director Operations CHB

The Role

The role will play an integral role in driving operations in the Consumer Hearing Business Unit (CHB) and consequently the Sonova group to achieve its growth ambitions by setting the strategy for CHB Global Operations, including Global Supply Chain, Global Logistics, Strategic & Tactical Purchasing, Global Technical & Repair Services and Manufacturing and executing processes that improve the functional performance in partnership with the Strategic Business and respective functions globally.

• Autonomous and highly visible, this individual will be fully accountable for driving the results to meet target objectives. As an experienced business partner, this individual will drive profitable growth, be passionate about building functional excellence, improving customer experience and ultimately creating value for the enterprise.

• As a leader and as part of the CHB- and Sonova Group Operations Leadership team, this individual will be instrumental to improve business performance, liaise with Operations Group Functions to achieve business growth, working capital and productivity targets.

• Work in strategic remit and direction from Group Operations functions, liaise and operate as part of global Operations Team representing CHB Unit.

• The role will be reporting to the GVP Operations and dotted line to the GVP for Consumer Hearing Business Unit.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee the global CHB Global Operations functions (Global Supply Planning and execution, Strategic and tactical Purchasing, Global Logistics, Global Technical Services and Manufacturing facilities) aiming to improve processes and performance, improve customer experience and support business growth.

• Lead Service, Repair, Refurbishment and B-grade credit returns project.

• Lead day to day operational issues liaising with leadership in Business Unit.

• As a member of the Consumer Hearing senior leadership team the individual will participate in setting the strategic and operational direction of the business unit with impact on the company and will be responsible for leading Sonova’s global Consumer Hearing Operations team.

• Lead a team ensuring appropriate functional expertise, establishing a vision and transition easily between strategy and the daily tactics of the business.

• Lead the organization to increase collaboration and process and performance improvements.

• Develop structures, processes and metrics such as OTIF/OTTR, Inventory Turns/DIO etc. that aim to improve the performance of CHB Global Operations.

• Liaise and collaborate with Global Functions in Group Operations following strategic directions and global goal setting.

• Build and manage strategic partnerships with customers (internal and external), suppliers and other strategic entities.

• Actively collaborate with key strategic partners internally and externally to ensure two-way collaborative relationships that deliver an operational competitive advantage.

• Able to anticipate and implement necessary changes to the strategy and process to support growth and commitments to customers.

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement. Be a champion for Sonova X.

• Provide dynamic leadership to build, develop, manage and evaluate high performing teams. Improve the bench.

• Strive successfully a balance between short-term versus long-term goals for the business and act as a strategic thought leader and business partner to the GVP and Divisional President.

Additional responsibilities

• Sets, develops and leads strategy, objectives and targets for multiple specific functional areas derived from Sonova Group strategy. Influences and consults with senior management across Divisions/ Regions/other functions to innovatively shape the design and development of own functional area.

• Leads projects of significant organization profile in own field of expertise and solves critical functional questions/problems across a demanding, broad environment.

• Prepares annual budgets for the function and global projects and is accountable for their execution and achievement.  Monitors specific function-related costs across all countries.

• Maintains an external awareness and perspective and acts as the acknowledged Business unit expert, with consulting responsibility on functional area knowledge and trends.

• Defines global function Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), sets benchmark key objectives, and targets, and delivers results to Sonova Group management and external stakeholders.  Ensures that Sonova’s performance for the function is regularly reported and audited.

• Defines, in close consultation with the Businesses, Countries and Regions, an appropriate organizational structure to support execution of the business’ strategies, aligned with the corporate goals, imperatives and guidelines.  Drive behavioral change to continuously improve function performance through programs and initiatives. Facilitates the sharing of best practices and ensures harmonized and standardized processes throughout the Group to deliver consistent support.

• Ensures that the area of responsibility is organized, staffed, skilled and directed. Guides, motivates and develops direct/indirect subordinates within HR policies. Effects people’s decisions on the scope of activities in cooperation with Business and Global Markets organizations.

What We Are Looking For

• University degree (MBA preferred).

• Strong understanding of Operations excellence, Supply Chain network optimization, Sales Inventory, Operational Planning, Product and SKU management, Strategic- and operational Procurement and Operations in general including Manufacturing, Logistics and Strategic- and tactical procurement processes.

• Experience in well-regarded, global manufacturing and technology businesses of scale (strong preference for globally complex value chain footprints).

• 10+ years progressive experience managing and directing an operations organization with multiple sites; minimum 5-years in a senior leadership role in a large corporation (ideally in Consumer Goods).

• Be experienced in Lean Operating Systems, Manufacturing optimizations, ERP systems and have experience in leading businesses in general management roles inclusive of P&L Leadership.

Why Join Us

Sonova is an equal opportunity employer.

We team up. We grow talent. We collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds to win with the best team in the marketplace. We guarantee every person equal treatment in regard to employment and opportunity for employment, regardless of a candidate’s ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or marital status, gender, genetic identity, age, disability or any other legally protected status.