Lean Manager - Europe P&T

About this role

DP World is at the heart of Europe’s trading future, providing the right trading infrastructure, smart logistical solutions, and the advantages of freeport status to our customers. As a dynamic and expanding global logistics provider, our people are central to driving sustained growth, operational excellence, and innovation. We are looking for an experienced Lean leader to help accelerate the implementation of our Lean Business System across DP World’s European Ports & Terminals network. As DP World continues its evolution from a ports and terminals operator into a fully integrated end-to-end supply chain provider, this role will be instrumental in supporting operational transformation and enhancing business performance across the region. Working closely with our global Lean Programme Office in Dubai and senior leaders across Europe, you will drive the adoption of Lean principles, develop local Lean champions, and embed best practices that enable sustainable improvement. This is a highly visible role that will influence both strategic priorities and day-to-day operations, ensuring teams are equipped to identify opportunities, solve problems effectively, and deliver lasting results. The Regional Lean Manager P&T will act as a senior transformation partner, leading the deployment of the Lean Business System (LBS) and supporting the development of a culture focused on accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. Through coaching, mentoring, and hands-on support, you will help leadership teams embed Lean behaviours, strengthen capability, and create a consistent approach to performance improvement across the European region. Location: London Victoria based with Europe Travel Required. You will be travelling across Europe visiting locations to drive in person learning as well as understanding each location to deliver a bespoke local plan. You will be expected to travel up 50% of your working week. How you will contribute • Lead the deployment and ongoing development of the Lean Business System (LBS) across the European Ports & Terminals network. • Coach and mentor regional leaders, business unit management teams, and operational stakeholders on Lean principles, leadership behaviours, and continuous improvement methodologies. • Drive the adoption of Lean thinking to support operational efficiency, productivity, quality, and safety improvements. • Facilitate continuous improvement initiatives and strategic transformation programmes aligned to regional business objectives. • Partner with site leadership teams to identify improvement opportunities and develop sustainable solutions. • Promote a culture of problem-solving, employee engagement, and accountability through Lean tools and methodologies. • Support the implementation of strategy deployment processes, ensuring alignment between business priorities and operational execution. • Deliver Lean training, workshops, and capability-building programmes across multiple countries and locations. • Utilise Lean methodologies including Value Stream Mapping, A3 Problem Solving, Hoshin Kanri, and Training Within Industry (TWI) to improve business performance. • Share best practice across the region and collaborate with global Lean teams to ensure consistency and knowledge exchange. • Monitor and report on improvement activities, benefits realisation, and programme effectiveness. • Build strong relationships with stakeholders across different functions, locations, and cultures to drive successful change adoption. • Act as a trusted advisor and champion for continuous improvement throughout the organisation. • Promote DP World values, safety culture, and commitment to operational excellence in all activities. What you will bring Qualifications • Degree qualified or equivalent experience. • Postgraduate qualification such as an MBA or Transformation Management qualification would be advantageous but is not essential. Experience • Significant experience leading Lean transformation programmes within complex operational or production environments. • Proven success embedding Lean culture, behaviours, and continuous improvement practices across organisations. • Strong experience implementing Lean Business Systems or Lean Operating Systems. • Experience with Strategy Deployment (Hoshin Kanri), Value Stream Mapping, A3 Thinking, TWI, and other Lean methodologies. • Experience coaching, influencing, and developing leaders at all levels of an organisation. • Experience working across multiple locations, countries, and cultures. • Ports, terminals, logistics, manufacturing, or other operationally intensive industry experience would be highly advantageous. Skills • Strong understanding of Lean principles, methodologies, and business system deployment; formal Lean qualifications would be advantageous. • Proven experience developing and implementing Lean coaching and capability-building strategies within complex organisations. • Strong coaching, mentoring, and training skills, with the ability to develop leaders and teams at all levels. • Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive change without direct authority. • Excellent communication, presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder management capabilities. • Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish credibility across diverse functions, geographies, and cultures. • Experience implementing Lean methodologies across multiple countries within a large international organisation. • Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills. • Results-focused with a track record of delivering sustainable operational and business improvements. • Energetic self-starter who thrives on the challenge of implementing and embedding world-class business systems. • Highly motivated and comfortable operating independently within a matrix environment. • Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to lead through change in fast-paced and evolving operational settings. • Excellent written and verbal English communication skills; additional European language skills would be advantageous. • Collaborative approach with the ability to build high-performing networks and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Compensation DP World offers exciting and challenging roles within a growing international organisation. We strive to hire and develop the right people, locally and globally, stimulating personal growth and self-development within an informal atmosphere. We offer a market competitive compensation package. About DP World Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world's trade flow better, changing what's possible for the customers and communities we serve globally. With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 111,000 employees from 159 nationalities, spanning 77 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that's fit for the future. We're rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses - Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology - and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades. The DP World family comprises of syncreon, Imperial and P&O. WE MAKE TRADE FLOW TO CHANGE WHAT'S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.