Operational Excellence Specialist

UNITED GLOBAL RORO TAŞIMACILIK A.Ş

United Global RoRo is looking for an Operational Excellence Specialist to support the design, standardization, and continuous improvement of our end-to-end operational processes.

This role will contribute to the implementation of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies across UGR, supporting initiatives that improve operational performance, cost efficiency, service quality, and customer experience.

The Operational Excellence Specialist will work closely with process owners and cross-functional teams to analyze existing processes, identify improvement opportunities, implement solutions, and monitor their effectiveness. The role offers strong exposure to operational transformation and significant opportunities for professional development within the Operational Excellence function.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze and document UGR's end-to-end operational processes, identifying inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Support the development of current-state (As-Is) and future-state (To-Be) process maps and improvement roadmaps.
• Participate in Lean and Six Sigma improvement projects and support the application of DMAIC methodology to operational challenges.
• Conduct and support Value Stream Mapping (VSM) exercises to identify non-value-added activities and process inefficiencies.
• Support Kaizen workshops and continuous improvement initiatives with operational and support teams.
• Conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for recurring operational issues and support the development and implementation of corrective actions.
• Collect, analyze, and monitor operational KPIs including vessel turnaround time, port waiting time, on-time performance, operational costs, service quality, and process cycle times.
• Prepare KPI reports, dashboards, and performance analyses to support management decision-making.
• Support cross-functional improvement projects across departments and international operations, coordinating activities and following up on project actions.
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of improvement initiatives and contribute to post-implementation reviews.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), workflows, work instructions, process maps, and other process documentation.
• Collaborate with digital transformation and ERP initiatives, including NetSuite, Logisoft, and Paragon projects, by supporting process analysis and simplification prior to automation and digitalization.
• Support the alignment of process improvement activities with Integrated Management Systems requirements, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 50001.
• Support Lean and Six Sigma training, awareness, and continuous improvement activities across the organization.
• Assist in change management activities and support the effective adoption of newly implemented processes.
• Contribute to the development of a continuous improvement and operational excellence culture across UGR.
• Prepare presentations, analyses, and improvement recommendations for management and relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor CAPA actions related to the function and follow up on their timely closure.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, action trackers, and improvement records.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Operational Excellence and Digital Transformation Directorate within the scope of authority and responsibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Business Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 2–4 years of experience in Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Process Improvement, Business Process Management, or related areas.
• Good understanding of Lean and Six Sigma principles and their practical application.
• Experience in process analysis, process mapping, and continuous improvement projects.
• Familiarity with methodologies and tools such as DMAIC, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Kaizen, 5S, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and basic process improvement techniques.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret operational data and identify improvement opportunities.
• Experience in KPI monitoring, reporting, and performance analysis.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with data visualization or dashboard tools is an advantage.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate with different levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and improvement-minded approach.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• Good command of English.
• Experience in maritime, shipping, port operations, logistics, or supply chain sectors is considered a strong advantage.