Zurich Kotak - Lead - Operational Excellence

Position Summary:

- Working with the Regional / Functional / Country management teams to develop and deploy the Operational Excellence Framework and capabilities (Lean, Automation, Digital Working, Document Logistics, etc), improving operational performance, creating long-term sustainable capabilities and effective continuous improvement community and to develop and deploy the Operational Excellence Framework and capabilities (Lean, CX, Automation, Digital Working, Agile, UX etc),

- Acting as a trusted partner and adviser to business executives ensuring consistency in the approach and aspiration level between projects.

BUSINESS ACCOUNTABILTIES:

- Collaborates to embed Operational Excellence (OE) within Regions, Business Units and Functions by supporting the design of the OE framework and delivery of continuous improvement initiatives aligned to Business Architecture and Target Operating Model principles / standards to optimise effectiveness and efficiency of business operations.

- Establish both short and long-term (6 months - 3 years) strategies and implementation plans that will enable Regions, BUs and Functions to best adopt the framework and OE culture for sustained and long term benefit.

- Define the processes and develop the organisational culture and trust to set benchmark and aspirations /stretch goals for improvement while tracking and validating all improvements and benefits (P&L, balance sheet, cost avoidance) committed in performance targets and attributed to the OE program

- Foster a sense of urgency and champion radical change that pushes for continuous improvement and automation with a focus on improving effectiveness, efficiency, quality, customer outcomes and reducing unit costs.

KEY TASKS & ACCOUNTABILITIES:

- Challenge the business and identify opportunities for improving business performance with a focus on customer service and cost efficiency.

- Front-to-Back transformation, operating model redesign, including process streamlining, control improvement, cost reduction, execution of RPA, Power Apps, CX, UX and digital operations across all BU of Asia Pacific and deputise Regional Head of OpEx as needed.

- Lead, influence, diagnose and help develop recommendations to solve complex operational-specific ambiguous problems.

- Provide initiative and project input to various individuals within the Project Management, Business Architect, and business improvement communities.

- Challenge and coach the business on developing impacting business cases and making sound decision in redeployment / reinvestment of freed-up capacity

- Act as a resource across multiple initiatives to common business design and leverage cross Region / BU capabilities to achieve greater benefits.

- Supports, Leads and implements OE change programs as it relates to performance improvement

- Conduct maturity assessments, and guide the business in further improvement of their operations using Operational Excellence Framework and principles.

- Promote Lean culture and mindset across Regions/ Businesses/Functions by coaching and training local resources as part of local capability building

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

Qualifications:

- Black Belt Lean Certification (required) / Master Black Belt (preferred)

- Project Management l Certification or equivalent.

- Bachelors Degree or equivalent or work experience preferred.

- Agile Coach certified (Scrum, SAFE )

- RPA & BA expertise (UiPath & Blueprism preferred)

- Microsoft Power Apps Automation skillset required

- Project Management l Certification or equivalent.

- Bachelors Degree or equivalent or work experience preferred.

- Superior mentoring, coaching, and influencing skills.

Experience:

- 10-12 years of financial industry/transformation/insurance work experience

- 5-7 or more years experience in utilizing a recognised methodology for reviewing business process, identifying problems and opportunities and re-engineering process for improved efficiency and effectiveness.

KNOWLEDGE:

A broad understanding of operational efficiency and the effective use of metrics to drive process improvement.

- A number of methodologies (including LEAN, RPA, Agile) for reviewing and documenting current business processes; identifying problems and opportunities; and re-engineering processes for improvement

- Experience with intelligent automation and prior proven deployments of robotics

- Change management and project management methodologies and principles

- Change identification, evaluation, approval, monitoring and documentation processes & procedures

- Zurich's vision, values, structure, culture and operating principles (preferred)

- Risk management and control framework

- Quality management methods, tools and techniques

- Root cause analysis techniques and tools

- Knowledge of issues, opportunities, and challenges for conducting business in the international marketplace

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Results driven and customer focused

- A data mindset

- Strong relationship management skills with experience in partnering and building credibility with senior leaders

- Strong problem-solving skills, influencing, negotiation and collaboration skills

- Excellent ability to communicate clearly and quickly build rapport and trust

- Ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects/assignments ensuring efficient utilization of time and resources

- Ability to facilitate workshops and workplace training

- Ability to apply knowledge and experience (as described above) to diverse situations