Orbem is an impact-driven deep-tech startup from Munich, Germany. We develop fast, accurate, and accessible imaging solutions that provide access to otherwise unattainable sources of knowledge.
We seek to make a difference – and develop solutions to sustainably feed the world, accelerate the transition to a green economy, and transform disease detection.
Join us on our mission to unleash AI-powered imaging for everything and everyone.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• 8+ years of experience in operational excellence or similar within an operational environment (e.g., installation, customer operations, project development).
• Proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and results.
• Exceptional collaboration, communication, and matrix management skills, with the ability to connect, align, and influence across diverse internal teams and stakeholders.
• Problem-solving skills, with the ability to conceptualize, structure, and resolve complex challenges efficiently and effectively.
• Experience working in and thriving in fast-growth environments, demonstrating the ability to navigate ambiguity and rapid change.
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills, with a demonstrated ability to structure complex problems and develop effective, data-driven solutions.
• Deep understanding of customer needs and a strong customer-centric mindset, ensuring operational strategies enhance customer satisfaction and experience.
• A relentless drive to improve processes, increase efficiency, and achieve operational excellence.

YOUR ROLE

Orbem is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Operational Excellence to lead the development and implementation of a world-class operational framework. This critical leadership role will be responsible for establishing and nurturing a high-performing team, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring that our processes are both efficient and meet the highest quality standards, all while navigating the fast-paced environment of a rapidly growing deep tech company.
The ideal candidate will be a strategic and analytical thinker with a proven track record of building operational excellence in complex, high-tech environments. We’re looking for someone who is not only efficient and detail-oriented but also takes full ownership of their work and thrives on solving problems.
In this pivotal role, you will drive scalable growth, optimize the customer journey, and enable Orbem to deliver exceptional products and services globally. Your ability to balance big-picture strategy with hands-on execution will be key to our continued success.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

As the leader who will establish our Operational Excellence department, you will:

• Build and lead a high-performing team from the ground up, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Take full ownership of operational process quality and efficiency, with a strong focus on physical processes like customer operations and supplier workflows. Collaborate closely with the Quality Engineering team to drive a holistic approach to quality across the business.
• Balance rapid growth with operational excellence, making fast, strategic business decisions while maintaining the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and scalability.
• Drive process management, continuous improvement, and quality assurance initiatives, ensuring streamlined and effective operations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with key teams like Customer Support, Procurement & Supply Chain, and Field Operations to deliver exceptional value and operational alignment.
• Establish robust continuous improvement cycles, promoting consistent learning, adaptation, and innovation throughout the organization.
• Implement and own a comprehensive operational risk framework, proactively managing and mitigating risks to safeguard business continuity and performance.
• Design and enforce quality gates and feedback loops across the customer journey, ensuring exceptional product delivery and high customer satisfaction.
• Standardize and enforce operational best practices, including SOPs, checklists, retrospectives, and post-mortem analyses, to drive consistency, accountability, and ongoing quality improvement.