MaerskSealand

Lean Leader

MaerskSealand$90K — $120K *
Technical Services
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years in a container terminal environment
  • 3+ years with Operating/Business Systems, Lean, and Kaizen
  • Fluent in Spanish and English
  • Strong familiarity with Lean methodologies and tools like A3 Problem Solving and Value Stream Mapping
  • Experience in structured project management across core processes
  • Proven ability to facilitate cross-functional teamwork and accountability
  • Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent is a plus

Responsibilities

  • Lead and deploy Lean and Flow methodologies across APM Terminals Spain Gateways
  • Drive a robust Kaizen culture focusing on transactional processes
  • Support teams through change management and transition efforts
  • Establish Daily Management and Visual Management systems for performance tracking
  • Foster Lean behaviors and an A3 problem-solving approach across teams
  • Provide Lean coaching and structured problem-solving support
  • Integrate and monitor the Flow program within terminal Lean practices

Benefits

  • Join a highly collaborative and diverse team
  • Opportunity to lead significant operational transformation initiatives
  • Work in an environment committed to developing employee capabilities
  • Be part of a culture valuing continuous improvement and innovative thinking
  • Enhance your leadership and coaching skills across various functions
Full Job Description
About the role

We are looking for a Lean Transformation Leader — a true change agent — to lead, coach, and deploy Lean principles, behaviors, and ways of working across all functions within APM Terminals Spain Gateways.

The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in Lean tools with strong experience in applying Lean thinking in operational and back-office environments, developing continuous improvement cultures, and strengthening structured problem-solving capabilities.

The APMT Business System, driven by the Global Lean Team, is at the heart of each terminal’s daily operations and challenges. In Spain Gateways, Lean deployment means working closely with Heads of Functions and their teams to embed continuous improvement into everyday work — always anchored to business priorities and value creation.

At the core of our Lean approach is a long-term commitment to developing people — leveraging “all the brains in the game” and enabling teams and leaders to work smarter, not harder. Through small, continuous improvements and well-informed strategic initiatives, we drive sustainable performance and long-lasting impact for both our business and our people.

You will join a growing, diverse, and highly collaborative team. We value different perspectives, support one another, and share accountability for results. We are curious, motivated, innovative, and grounded in Lean as our foundation — and we enjoy the journey together.

This role requires initiative, resilience, and strong personal drive. You will work closely with Global Functions and may provide regional support to ensure alignment and effective deployment of global initiatives.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead, coach, and deploy Lean and Flow methodologies across APM Terminals Spain Gateways.
  • Drive a strong Kaizen culture, delivering tangible and sustainable improvements, with a particular focus on transactional processes and back-office functions.
  • Lead people transition efforts, supporting teams through change and strengthening change management practices, including communication planning and execution.
  • Build and sustain effective Daily Management (DM) and Visual Management (VM) systems across all functions, enabling cross-functional performance management and robust closed-loop follow-up.
  • Promote strong Lean behaviors and a high-quality A3 problem-solving mindset, developing independent problem solvers across teams and functions.
  • Provide structured problem-solving support and Lean / Flow coaching to leaders and teams.
  • Drive the implementation of Standardization and Deviations Management, embedding Process Design (PD) into local Lean practices.
  • Integrate the Flow program into terminal Lean deployments and ensure adherence to Flow methodology while monitoring effectiveness.
  • Foster close collaboration between terminal Flow teams and the Global Flow Team, building local capabilities to sustain Flow rollouts.
  • Ensure Lean and Flow deployments are fully anchored to business priorities, focusing on value creation rather than activity.
  • Enable cross-gateway learning and standardization, systematically replicating proven practices across Spain Gateways.
  • Train Spain Gateways teams through Lean awareness programs and targeted Lean tool training.
  • Support the continuous improvement of Lean training materials, particularly for back-office functions, based on Lean maturity and participant feedback.
  • Maintain clear ownership of the Operating System — enabling and coaching Lean deployment while performance accountability remains with terminal and functional leadership.
  • Focus on behaviors and routines, not only tools — reinforcing leadership practices such as SQDC cadence, Gemba, escalation, and disciplined follow-up.
  • Measure success through capability building, ensuring leaders and teams increasingly solve problems independently.
  • Lead and support the full rollout of the TWI (Training Within Industry) program, including Job Instructions (JI), to enhance site-wide Lean maturity.

What We Are Looking For
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in a container terminal environment.
  • At least 3 years of experience working with Operating/Business Systems, Process Design, Lean, Kaizen, and Standardization.
  • Languages: Spanish & English is mandatory.
  • Strong hands-on knowledge of Lean tools and methodologies, including:
    • A3 Problem Solving
    • Kaizen
    • Daily Management & Visual Management
    • Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
    • Standard Work / Standard Process
    • 5S
    • Voice of Customer (VOC)
    • Hoshin Kanri
    • Value Selling
  • Experience in structured project management and business analysis across core processes (e.g., Order to Cash, Procure to Pay, Hire to Retire, Issue to Resolution).
  • Proven ability to facilitate cross-functional teams and build ownership and accountability in transformation initiatives.
  • Experience working across cultures and functions in complex organizations.
  • Strong influencing, training, and coaching skills at all organizational levels; trusted business partner mindset.
  • Solid experience in Change and Transition Management.
  • TWI Job Instruction / Job Relations (JI/JR) experience and strong business acumen.
  • Excellent communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
  • High ethical standards and professional integrity.
  • Well respected within organizations — seen as someone others want to learn from and work with.
  • Self-driven, resilient, and committed to excellence.
  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and/or Certified Lean Advanced Practitioner (Level 4) are strong advantages.
  • Additional Lean and Project Management certifications are considered a plus.

Reporting and Scope

  • Reports to: Managing Director
  • Scope: APM Terminals Spain Gateways and all associated functions/offices.
  • Regional interaction and support may be required to ensure alignment with global and headquarters processes.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a Lean-minded professional with a strong continuous improvement mindset — someone naturally curious, committed to solving problems at their root cause, and driven to make things better every day.

A collaborative leader who can inspire change, build capabilities, and embed sustainable transformation into the organization’s DNA

#APMTerminals #Hiring #LeanLeader #LeanManagement #ContinuousImprovement #OperationalExcellence #BusinessTransformation #LeanCulture #Leadership #Coaching #BackOfficeLean #TransformationAgent #ProcessImprovement #LeanThinking #JoinUs


#LI-POST

About MaerskSealand

Maersk Sealand is a Danish shipping company that provides container shipping services. The company was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. Maersk Sealand is a subsidiary of A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, a global conglomerate that operates in various industries including shipping, logistics, and energy. Maersk Sealand has a fleet of over 700 vessels and serves clients in various industries including retail, automotive, and healthcare.
Learn more about MaerskSealand
Size
80,000 employees
Industry

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