Winterthur
Head of Smart Factory Program Office (m/f/d) - 100%
- 21 October 2026
- 100%
- Permanent position
- German (Native language), English (Fluent)
- Winterthur
About the job
Kistler is the world market leader in dynamic measurement technology for capturing pressure, force, torque and acceleration.
Head of Smart Factory Program Office (m/f/d) - 100%
The Kistler Group is the world market leader in dynamic measurement technology. We develop innovative sensors, measurement systems and digital solutions for customers from industry, research and mobility. Over 2,000 employees at more than 60 locations worldwide are committed daily to further expanding our technological leadership. Innovators work with Kistler.
As part of our Smart Factory transformation programme, we are shaping the future of our global production landscape. As Head of Smart Factory Program Office, you take on a key role in one of the Kistler Group's most strategically important programmes. You ensure that all programme strands are integrated, transparent and consistently aligned with common goals. In doing so, you act as a strategic sparring partner and deputy to the Head of Corporate Projects / Smart Factory and ensure that measurable results emerge from complex initiatives. You create transparency, promote cross-departmental collaboration and ensure that decisions are made, risks addressed and measures consistently implemented.
Head of Smart Factory Program Office (m/f/d) - 100%
Your typical day
- Responsibility for the overall integration of the Smart Factory programme and ensuring coordinated planning, prioritisation and implementation of all workstreams across functions, locations and stakeholders.
- Strategic sparring partner and deputy to the Head of Corporate Projects / Smart Factory, including representing the programme in steering committees, executive reviews and management decisions.
- Leadership and further development of the Smart Factory PMO as well as ensuring an effective governance structure with clear decision-making paths, escalation mechanisms and transparency across the entire programme.
- Management of dependencies, risks, measures and decisions across all programme streams and consistent assurance of accountability and implementation.
- Ensuring data-driven programme management through KPI systems, integrated dashboards, budget and resource overviews, forecasts and executive reporting at management level.
- Preparation and moderation of steering committees, governance boards and management reviews as well as translating complex issues into well-founded decision-making bases.
- Responsibility for the organisational and operational readiness of the future Smart Factory, including commissioning, qualification, system integration, go-live, ramp-up and successful handover to operational operations.
- Management of transformation and change management initiatives in close cooperation with HR, corporate communications and specialist departments to ensure organisational maturity and sustainable change.
- Promotion of a culture of operational excellence, innovation and cross-departmental collaboration within an international matrix organisation as well as with strategic partners and suppliers.
Your profile
- Completed STEM degree or comparable qualification.
- More than 8 years of experience in leading complex transformation, production or factory development programmes in an international industrial environment.
- Proven experience in one or more of the following areas:
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Smart Factory transformation
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Greenfield or brownfield projects
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Production systems and industrialisation
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Automation & robotics
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Manufacturing excellence or digital excellence
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- Extensive experience in building and managing PMO, governance and programme management structures.
- Proven success in managing complex programmes within international matrix organisations without direct disciplinary leadership responsibility.
- Sound understanding of industrial value chains, production systems and end-to-end processes along the entire value chain.
- Strong analytical, organisational and strategic skills combined with a high implementation orientation.
- Executive presence and the ability to build trust, drive decisions and create alignment at all levels of the organisation.
- Entrepreneurial mindset, high initiative and the ability to maintain an overview and set priorities even in dynamic and complex environments.
- Very good communication, moderation and presentation skills in German and English.
- Certifications such as PMP, PgMP or IPMA A/B as well as Lean Six Sigma knowledge are advantageous.
What you can expect
- A key role in one of the Kistler Group's most important strategic transformation programmes with high visibility at executive level.
- The opportunity to actively shape the future Smart Factory and thus the production landscape of Kistler.
- Close collaboration with executive management, production, digitalisation, automation, engineering, HR and international project teams.
- A challenging environment with great scope for design, high personal responsibility and direct influence on the long-term success of the company.
- The chance to bring together modern smart factory concepts, operational excellence, digitalisation and organisational transformation in a holistic programme.
- Support for internal and external training as well as attractive development opportunities within the Kistler Group.
- "New Work" environment (e.g. home office, flexible annual working hours), 40 hours/week, good public transport connections, attractive social benefits and other fringe benefits.
Berivan Buth, Talent Acquisition Partner, +49 7031 3090 233, looks forward to receiving your complete, meaningful application (CV, diplomas/certificates and references, a cover letter is optional) via our online career tool.
We are currently only considering direct applications for this position.
