Operational Excellence Coordinator

📍 Arla Foods – Bahrain

Project Description

At Arla, we do so much more than make some of the world’s favorite dairy products. We make healthy tastes delicious, mornings worth getting up for, and family dinners unforgettable. Puck®, Dano®, Lurpak®, and Castello® – names like these make us a vital, natural part of modern life in over 100 countries around the world. There are 2,000 employees in the Middle East and North Africa and 19,000 global employees at the heart of our business.

Are you looking to join a dynamic and dedicated team in the field of supply chain management? We have an exciting opportunity for you as an Operational Excellence Coordinator. Join our team, where you will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth management of operational resource resources. If you are proactive, analytical, and possess strong communication skills, we invite you to be a part of our team and contribute to the success of our supply chain operations.

About the Role

The Operational Excellence Coordinator is responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives across production and support functions. The role focuses on embedding Arla Production System (APS) principles, ensuring operational discipline, and fostering a strong culture of lean, efficiency, and performance excellence across the site.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in daily operational meetings to support loss elimination and quality improvements.
• Lead and facilitate Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and structured problem‑solving sessions.
• Identify inefficiencies in production processes and implement lean methodologies.
• Facilitate Continuous Improvement (CI) events in line with the APS rollout plan, in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Monitor and analyze KPIs such as OEE, SPC, waste reduction, and drive data‑based actions.
• Support site leadership in implementing APS governance and sustaining improvements.
• Facilitate training and capability building for operators and line teams.
• Prepare performance reports and improvement updates for site leadership.
• Collaborate closely with Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Procurement, and other functions.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and high‑performance working environment.
• Support the use of digital tools (e.g. Power BI, MES) for performance tracking and reporting.
• Contribute to initiatives that digitalize workflows and improve traceability.
• Support and maintain performance management practices across the organization.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience, preferably in manufacturing or FMCG.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to work independently, solve problems, and drive results.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of Lean principles and continuous improvement tools.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret operational data and drive improvements.
• Effective communication, coaching, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Familiarity with APS and digital reporting tools.
• Ability to collaborate cross‑functionally and influence change.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI).

What Do We Offer?

By joining us as an Operational Excellence Coordinator, you will become a valued member of our dynamic team. You will have the opportunity to work in a fast-paced and challenging role, contributing to the efficient delivery of high-quality Arla products. As part of our regional team that collaborates across countries and functions, we are committed to nurturing your growth and development.