Senior Process Manager (d/f/m) R&D Operational Excellence & Process Improvement

In this role you drive the global Stage-Gate process for LIXIL brands, acting as the operational engine for R&D delivery. You influence a matrixed, multicultural organization to ensure lean work packages, harmonised gate transitions, and practical governance. As the subject-matter expert, you advise project managers and gatekeepers on process inquiries, shaping how teams adopt governance. You will transform tooling and data quality in R&D, navigating ambiguity with agility and collaboration.

• health management with on-site fitness room
• Health Cashback and Hansefit membership
• Diversity & Inclusion; equal opportunities
• employee discounts on travel, fashion, media, mobile phones
• international team and learning opportunities
• modern company restaurant

• Drive continuous optimisation of the global Stage-Gate Work Packages across brands and regions
• Maintain and enforce the global R&D governance framework (processes, tools, RASCI, cadence, compliance)
• Safeguard gate readiness, documentation integrity and audit readiness at gate transitions
• Define, track and report R&D KPIs (gate discipline, cycle time, pipeline health)
• Develop and maintain digital templates, blueprints, work instructions and process docs
• Coordinate cross-functional and cross-regional alignment to comply with global R&D standards
• Ensure Stage-Gate docs and data are current in governing systems and liaise with system owners
• Build and maintain the R&D Knowledge Hub as a central source for process docs, templates and training
• Ensure data continuity between Stage-Gate governance and PLM; translate process requirements to system specs with Global PLM team

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Business Management, Industrial Management or comparable
• 7 to 10 years in process management, R&D project management or operational excellence across multiple industries
• Proven implementation of Stage-Gate or similar phase-gate models
• Working understanding of PM systems in R&D (e.g., Planisware Orchestra, SAP) and data literacy for KPI definition
• Interest in AI, automation and digital tools to simplify product development processes
• Solid understanding of PLM, ERP, and engineering change management systems (e.g., SAP, Planisware Orchestra)
• Ability to collaborate across cultures; strong feedback and stakeholder skills
• Business-fluent English; German an advantage
• Lean, Six Sigma or similar optimisation approaches are a plus
• Comfort translating between technical detail and business framing

• Cross-cultural collaboration
• Stakeholder management
• Curiosity and adaptability
• Stage-Gate / phase-gate governance
• Planisware Orchestra
• SAP