Head of APM

Did you know KONE moves over one billion people every day? We employ over 60,000 professionals in over 60 countries worldwide joined together by a shared vision to 'Deliver the best people flow experience'. As a global leader, we provide elevators, escalators, automatic building doors as well as solutions for maintenance and modernization to add value to buildings throughout their lifecycle. Through more effective People Flow, we make people's journeys safe, convenient and reliable, in taller, smarter buildings.

Job Title – Head of APM - SC Escalator Operations Development

Job Location – Chennai, India

Reports to – Head of APM Supply Chain

The Head of APM - SC Escalator Operations Development is accountable within the APM Supply Chain organization for driving and overseeing all development initiatives across escalator supply operations. This role partners closely with Frontline Teams, Area Management and Global to ensure the successful execution of supply chain development actions, with the ultimate goal of improving business performance.

Escalators for APM are manufactured at two production sites in China and India, and the role is responsible for harmonizing processes, leveraging best practices, and ensuring continuous operational improvement and competitiveness.

Are you the One ?

• Prior experience in business and/or operations leadership with strong results and track record. Developing and delivering new products/solutions in new markets.
• Solid understanding of finance, economics, business principles and risk management.
• Knowledge, skills and experience in prospecting, qualifying, structuring, negotiating, and closing partnership deals & strategic alliances.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with highly placed decision makers and to develop executive-level client relationships in a complex team environment.
• 20 years of experience in leading operations and business development
• 5 years+ experience of working in a senior sales or business development role
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering / Business administration, supply chain management, logistics, or a related field.
• Fluency in English, additional languages beneficial, to effectively navigate communication within a multinational organization.

What will you be doing ?

• Strategic Leadership:

• Lead, direct, and control all APM SC Escalator business development activities to meet the organization's short and long-term business objectives.

• Lead the development and execution of the supply chain development roadmap for APM escalator operations.
• Align supply chain improvement initiatives with broader business objectives and strategic growth targets.
• Contribute to strategic planning and decision-making at the executive level to develop and implement a business development strategy that aligns with the organization's overall vision and its current and long-term business objectives.

• Liaise with other senior executives to ensure that supply strategies and activities are integrated with other parts of the business and aligned with the overall objectives.

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Act as the primary supply chain interface for Area Management and frontline teams regarding escalator operations development.

• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration between manufacturing, procurement, logistics, engineering, and quality functions.
• Ensure both escalator manufacturing sites operate with harmonized processes and aligned priorities.

• Maintain strong connections with other colleagues within KONE to share best practices and to understand current and future requirements.

• Operations Development:

• Constantly seeks opportunities for business growth together with Frontline teams from a supply operations perspective.

• Develop and implement performance metrics to monitor progress and sustain improvements.

• To lead and execute some key development and investment projects.

• Performance & Change Management:

• Identify key performance gaps and lead targeted improvement programs.

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and data-driven decision-making.

• Manage change effectively, ensuring smooth adoption of new processes and technologies.

• Sustainability & Compliance :

• Ensure all operations development initiatives align with environmental, health, and safety standards.

• Embed sustainability principles into manufacturing and supply chain processes.
• Proactively identify risks, develop mitigation strategies in alignment and cooperation with risk management teams.

Competence Requirements:

• Strategic and business acumen: Understands KONE strategy and can contribute to the strategy development. Is future oriented and understands the big picture.
• Customer focus : Is curious about (internal) customer's business and willing to understand their challenges. Take's customer's perspective and is prepared to engage to their business.
• Communication and Collaboration : Outstanding interpersonal skills to lead teams and communicate effectively across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Executing : Turns strategy into objectives and actions. Accepts and provides demanding goals. Leads the team and individuals with attention to detail.
• Decision making : Is committed to own area of responsibility and contributes to the overall business. Identifies issues and makes timely, tough and objective decisions, also under pressure. Stands by decisions and takes responsibility for them.
• Conceptual thinking : Recognizes patterns and trends. Demonstrates an understanding of information in its broader context. Applies concepts and theories to practical situations. Generates theories and conceptual models to explain relationships between information. Simplifies complex information into a single, clear concept.
• Persuasiveness : Uses compelling arguments to convince others. Employs a range of strategies to influence others. Anticipates objection to an argument or idea and effectively deals with these.

What do we offer ?

• Career progression and opportunities within a global organization
• Total reward elements that engage and motivate our employees and help us make KONE a great place to work
• Comprehensive learning and development programs covering a wide range of professional skills
  You are surrounded by fun colleagues and a lively working environment within Business Services team and KONE Front Line. The best part is all leaders are great and open-minded

Click on apply if you have a passion for meeting up with people and a desire to make an impact in the elevator and escalator industry.

At KONE, we are focused on creating an innovative and collaborative working culture where we value the contribution of each individual. Employee engagement is a key focus area for us and we encourage participation and the sharing of information and ideas. Sustainability is an integral part of our culture and the daily practice. We follow ethical business practices and we seek to develop a culture of working together where co-workers trust and respect each other and good performance is recognized. In being a great place to work, we are proud to offer a range of experiences and opportunities that will help you to achieve your career and personal goals and enable you to live a healthy and balanced life.

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