This position will under Global Operations Capability Program develops future capability specialists who can be deployed across Filtrona's manufacturing network to support operational stabilization, capability transfer, startup activities, continuous improvement initiatives, and strategic transformation projects.
Candidates will be based in designated development hubs and are expected to undertake short-term and long-term assignments globally to support business needs.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Cell Leader is responsible for leading a production cell (group of machines/production lines) to deliver safety, quality, performance, and team development targets. This role drives daily operations aligned with Filtrona Excellence Model (FEM) principles, ensures standard execution, leads loss elimination activities, and coaches team members to continuously improve operational excellence.
Safety, Quality, and Compliance
- Ensure a safe working environment and lead by example in following HSE regulations.
- Monitor and enforce quality standards, procedures, and compliance requirements.
- Promote proactive quality ownership within the team to reduce waste and defects.
FEM Daily Management Leadership
- Lead Daily Direction Setting (DDS) meetings to align team on goals and priorities.
- Own and execute FEM Daily Management systems such as Safety Incident Elimination (SIE), QIE (Quality Incident Elimination), Clean-Inspect-Lubricate (CIL), Defect Handling (DH).
- Use performance boards, visual management, and KPIs (OEE, Waste, UPDT, PDT, MTBF, Quality) to track and drive progress.
Performance and Loss Elimination
- Monitor cell performance against KPIs and take immediate action on deviations.
- Use FEM loss elimination tools (Root Cause Analysis, 6W2H, Fishbone) to investigate and eliminate chronic losses.
- Lead short- and long-term improvement actions in line with FEM master planning and 90-days action planning cycles.
Team Capability and Coaching
- Build team capability by coaching on FEM systems, standards, and problem-solving tools.
- Support skill development and cross-training initiatives.
- Conduct regular one-to-one coaching and performance feedback.
- Coach and train operators and team members on, by being on the floor, performing reviews with Equipment Owners and conducting Health Checks for the owned Daily Management Systems.
- Facilitate Kaizen activities within the team to enhance efficiency and engagement and to drive continues improvement.
- Ensure the cell crew (sub-ordinates such as operators/technicians/setters and remaining Cell Structure) are growing in line with the expected capabilities (in line with Step-up cards and Qualification Matrixes) and delivering results as per business targets.
- Ensure sub-ordinates maintain and update work standards, daily management systems, standard work processes and operator training materials.
Documentation and Standardization
- Ensure the use and maintenance of up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), One Point Lessons (OPLs), and Work Instructions (WIs).
- Lead regular Daily Management System reviews and standard work audits to support stability and performance.
Qualifications:
- Technical or engineering qualification preferred.
- Tobacco industry background preferred.
- Minimum 3-5 years of experience in a production leadership role.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and equipment.
- Familiarity with IWS, Lean, TPM, or similar continuous improvement frameworks.
- Proficient in problem-solving methodologies and root cause analysis.
- Working knowledge of MS Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and SAP.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to interpret operational data and identify improvement opportunities.
Preferred Skills:
- Fluent English (written and spoken).
- Additional language capability considered an advantage.
- Study abroad experience.
- International project exposure.
- Experience working with regional or global teams.
- Experience supporting multiple sites or locations.
