Regional External Operations (EXO) Leader, EUROPE/ASIA (gn)

Regional External Operations (EXO) Leader, EUROPE/ASIA (gn)

Ideal start timing: June 2025 | location: Darmstadt, Hessen

ABOUT WELLA

Wella Company is one of The World’s leading Beauty companies, comprised of a family of iconic brands such as Wella Professionals, Clairol, OPI, Nioxin and ghd. With 6,000 employees globally, presence in over 100 countries, Wella Company and its brands enable consumers to look, feel, and be their true selves. As innovators in the hair and nail industry, Wella Company empowers its people to delight consumers, inspire beauty professionals, engage communities, and deliver sustainable growth to its stakeholders. For more information about the Wella Company, visit our website www.wellacompany.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

THE ROLE 

As a future Regional External Operations (EXO) Leader, you will own and lead work related to the Europe/Asia Third Party Manufacturing (TPM) network for Wella Company (Wella Professionals, Nioxin, OPI, etc.).

The Regional EXO Leader has overall responsibility for the direction setting and results delivery for the business categories under their leadership. Through his/her organization, the Regional EXO Leader is responsible to deliver category business needs and objectives by influencing category leadership to align with third party manufacturer goals and objectives .

The Wella Company EXO mission is to deliver superior supply chain value E2E across Service, Quality, Cost and Cash based on the right TPM competence and footprint. As such, the Regional EXO Leader will act as “virtual” plant manager to execute the category operating strategy through a quality, cost efficient, and responsive external manufacturing sourcing network. The Regional EXO Leader reports directly to the Head of Global Manufacturing Strategic Sourcing & External Operations. He/She will be developing the right partnership with Planning, Quality, Procurement, Finance, Innovation Management, Engineering and R&D to deliver efficient external operations, new commercial or technical programs, and to ensure right stewardship and capability requirements of the TPM to meet business needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Sole responsibility for all cost related metrics for their categories, including Firm, Quarterly Projected Forecast and Savings.
• SPOC accountability for all other business results for their categories i.e. Service, Inventory, Quality, BCP, Stewardship, with support from other EXO functions, e.g. Procurement, QA, Planning, Finance, R&D
• Direct and indirect management of EXO Functional Leaders, Supply Chain Leaders, Site Initiative Leaders, Tech Pack Leaders and/or Industrial Chemistry Leaders. This includes ensuring coaching, comprehensive training and development, succession planning and direction setting.
• Where possible, represent EXO on category or regional leadership teams. Build and maintain strong relationships with key category leaders, thereby influencing category direction/strategy with respect to EXO.
• Influence supply network design/supply chain design (TPM selection, Free Issue/Directed Buy/Turn Key, RPM supply, MOQs, VSM etc.) jointly with procurement. Consult with planning hub, supply chain leaders and quality.
• Member of EXO Lead Team to set overall strategy and direction. Ensure Company and Functional OGSM are delivered by resources in the value streams.
• Issue resolution for escalated business results & initiatives issues, either from within EXO, or from category.
• Lead category Supply Network Design (SND) work for EXO in the relevant categories
• Through EXO Supply Chain Leader, ensure all new SCs are set up and handed over to meet both EXO and category objectives, especially responsiveness and reliability. Ensure that the initiatives handover processes and procedures are fully followed within the areas of ownership.
• Co-Leadership (with Procurement) of category TPM Master-Planning & TPM Reduction Strategy.
• Ensure EXO savings/efficiency plans are consistent with category targets.
• Lead & champion Loss Analysis process within value streams, chartering projects that deliver the necessary savings targets, whilst ensuring pipeline fill for subsequent FY’s.
• Responsible for ensuring RFQ/FCR requests are answered timely and accurately by EXO (jointly with procurement) in consultation with planning hub and quality.
• Own yearly review/alignment of any category BCP. Ensure that the agreed BCP is/are in place and effective

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong adherence to Wella values.
• Strong autonomy and leadership skills to lead and develop a high-performance organization in a very dynamic and entrepreneurial environment.
• Business, goals oriented and results driven.
• Demonstrated success in a range of diverse experiences across the supply chain, and through a mid-size organization.
• Strong management and manufacturing experience, ideally in the FMCG industry.
• Demonstrated success in leading and delivering projects involving new technology, product start-ups, problem solving, quality, or safety programs, and productivity improvements.
• Had already worked with external manufacturing suppliers, and proficient in working cross-functionally, and with remote organizations.
• Strong communication and relationship building skills due to the external nature of the TPM interface.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of E2E Initiative R&Rs across functions and disciplines.
• Minimum of Intermediate level on: Project management, Manufacturing based operations, Project gate process, Supply Chain methodologies, SOP author & reviewer, GDP/CQV principles, and Risk management tools.
• Flexibility to travel (avg. 15%).
• Proficient computer knowledge – MS Office and SAP.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT WELLA

• Attractive salary package with a wide range of benefits
• Free company parking as well as central location and good public transport connections
• Promotion of personal potential and individual career paths
• Support during the induction period and the opportunity to take on responsibility at an early stage
• Flexible working hours and the opportunity to work from home
• A collegial working atmosphere at an employer with an appreciative corporate culture
• Open communication and an international as well as diverse environment in which the "WE" is in the foreground!

This is unique role with a genuine opportunity to make an impact. You’ll get to work in a diverse and environment with a team who are passionate about the work they do, and know how to have some fun along the way.

Our people make us who we are. They are the brightest minds bringing the boldest ideas to life every day. If you’re the kind of person who refuses to settle, if you want to think bigger, learn faster and go further than you ever thought possible – we’d love to hear from you.  

Become a part of the "WELLA- family" and participate in the rebuilding of our independence. We live our values! #wellafamily #WellaCareers

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

We offer equal employment opportunity to qualified individuals without regard to ethnical origin, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Wella Company with disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.