Director Group R&D Process Excellence

About the job

Staefa, Switzerland

Director R&D Process Excellence

We are looking for a strategic and influential leader to join our global R&D organization as Director Group R&D Process Excellence. In this role, you will define and drive the vision for process excellence across our international R&D network, enabling teams to innovate faster, collaborate more effectively, and deliver high-quality solutions in a scalable and compliant way.

You will work at the intersection of engineering, portfolio management, quality, regulatory affairs, and operations, helping to build an environment where continuous improvement is embedded into everyday decision-making.

What you'll do

• Develop and execute the global strategy and roadmap for R&D process excellence across multiple sites.
• Establish governance, standards, and best practices that create consistency while enabling local flexibility where appropriate.
• Lead the portfolio of process improvement initiatives, ensuring investments are aligned with business priorities and deliver measurable value.
• Coach and advise senior R&D leaders on process performance, continuous improvement, and organizational effectiveness.
• Define and monitor key performance indicators, using data and insights to identify opportunities and guide strategic decisions.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration with Quality, Regulatory, PMO, IT, and Operations to optimize end-to-end product development processes.
• Champion methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Stage-Gate to build sustainable process excellence capabilities across the organization.
• Ensure R&D processes support compliance, audit readiness, technology transfer, scalability, and future business growth.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement while leveraging modern technologies, including AI-enabled ways of working.

What you bring

• Master's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
• Significant leadership experience in process excellence, business transformation, or operational improvement within an engineering or R&D environment.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and optimize complex cross-functional processes at a global level.
• Experience leading change initiatives and influencing senior stakeholders across multiple functions and locations.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to define meaningful KPIs and translate data into actionable improvements.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Hands-on experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or similar frameworks.
• Fluency in English.

Nice to have

• Experience in the medical technology or other highly regulated industries.
• Additional education in business administration or project management.
• Familiarity with enterprise project portfolio management and SAP-based environments.
• Experience applying AI tools to improve productivity and business processes.

Why join us?

This is a unique opportunity to influence how a global R&D organization operates and innovates. You'll partner with senior leaders, shape strategic initiatives, and create lasting impact by building processes that enable teams to deliver breakthrough technologies more efficiently and effectively.

If you're passionate about continuous improvement, enjoy solving complex organizational challenges, and thrive in collaborative international environments, we'd love to hear from you.