Lean Leader

At APM Terminals, a global leader in port and terminal operations, we enable global trade and drive sustainable growth. What drives us forward is a mindset of always improving — observing how work happens, identifying what creates value, and removing what gets in the way. We constantly look for smarter, simpler, and safer ways of operating. If you thrive in environments where people value learning and are committed to continuously improve daily operations, join us and be apart of our journey.

What We Can Offer

At APM Terminals, we foster a dynamic learning and training culture that empowers our employees to excel. Our commitment to improvement is driven by Lean principles, ensuring that every team member has the opportunity to develop their skills and advance their careers. Experience a diverse, multinational workplace where your operational insights directly influence how we work.

• Gain exposure to terminal, regional, and global management.
• Develop your leadership capabilities while guiding a terminal-wide transformation.
• Build practical experience in strategy implementation, operational improvement, and corporate decision-making.
• Collaborate with regional and global Lean communities to exchange proven practices and organisational learning.

As our Lean Leader, you will report to the Managing Director and serve as a critical member of the Terminal Leadership Team in Onne, Nigeria. You work closely with functional leaders and the regional and global Lean community.

Key Responsibilities

• Set Lean strategic direction: Shape the terminal Lean ambition and translate Strategy, AOP ( Annual Operating Plan) and Policy Deployment into a small number of clear transformation priorities linked to terminal performance.
• Build the Lean operating system: Embed SQDC-based daily management, visual management, Gemba routines, escalation, standard work and disciplined follow-up so deviations become visible and are addressed at the right level.
• Improve end-to-end flow and stability: Diagnose constraints, variation, capacity and process instability across the full value stream. Apply the right Lean and industrial-engineering methods to improve throughput, reliability, lead time and equipment utilisation.
• Lead structured problem solving and Kaizen: Strengthen A3 thinking, root-cause analysis, Kaizen and Kaikaku execution. Ensure countermeasures are tested with data, embedded in standards and sustained beyond the event.
• Deliver measurable business and financial impact: Connect Lean activity to safety, service, productivity, cost, cash and capacity outcomes. Prioritise initiatives based on value and validate realised impact together with Finance.
• Lead cross-functional transformation: Mobilise the Terminal Leadership Team and functional leaders around major transformation opportunities, challenge low-impact activity and remove organisational barriers to execution.
• Coach and multiply capability: Coach leaders and teams at Gemba so they can identify waste, solve problems and improve standards themselves. Build successors and reduce dependency on the Lean function as the expert or owner of improvement.
• Govern execution and sustainment: Maintain clear transformation roadmaps, owners, milestones, benefits and risks. Review progress through the terminal management system and intervene early where delivery or sustainment is at risk.
• Connect local and global learning: Implement relevant global Lean standards and improvement learning while adapting application to the local operating context. Share proven WACT practices across the regional and global network.

Success in this role will be demonstrated through improvement priorities that are visibly connected to terminal strategy, effective SQDC and Gemba routines, independently capable teams, sustained operational improvements, and verified business results.

What We Are Looking For

• Minimum five years of hands-on Lean transformation or operational improvement experience in a complex industrial, logistics, port, manufacturing or comparable environment.
• Demonstrated track record of leading cross-functional improvements with sustained operational and financial results.
• Strong practical capability in system diagnosis, constraint and flow analysis, A3 problem solving, Kaizen, SQDC/daily management, standard work and process optimisation.
• Ability to translate operational performance into financial impact and to build credible business cases with Finance.
• Experience coaching senior leaders, frontline leaders and teams, including constructive challenge and influencing without relying on authority.
• Strong change execution, facilitation, stakeholder management and communication skills in a multicultural environment.
• Bachelor's or master's degree preferred, or equivalent successful experience leading Lean transformations. Relevant Lean and/or project/change credentials are advantageous, but demonstrated application and results are essential.

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, apply for a position, or to perform a job, please contact us by emailing  accommodationrequests@maersk.com.