Director, Growth Initiatives (Hybrid)

Who we are

In a life without sound, our work provides meaning. As a leading provider of innovative hearing care solutions, we are not just a company that makes products: we are a team on a mission to help people enjoy the delight of hearing. To enable a life without limitations, through our core business brands - Advanced Bionics, Audiological Care, Phonak, Sennheiser (under license) and Unitron - we develop, manufacture and distribute solutions that push the limits of technology and redefine the future of our industry.

Valencia, CA (Hybrid 3 days)

Director, Growth Initiatives (Growth Leader)

The role of the Growth Leader Advanced Bionics reports to the GVP Cochlear Implants (CI) and works closely with the VP Global Growth Initiatives.

As Growth Leader CI, you play a pivotal role in helping Sonova accelerate its growth journey with the help of a Continuous Improvement mindset and approach. In this role you will:

• Provide the leadership, role-modeling, coaching, and support to all levels of the organization to build a Continuous Improvement culture and mindset (Sonova Excellence System) with a particular focus on our customer-facing and transactional areas (Sales, Marketing, Product Mgmt, R&D, customer service etc.).
• Identify areas of productivity improvements, process breakthrough and functional growth capabilities and work with business leaders and teams to realize them

Responsibilities:

• Sonova X System. Establish a Continuous Improvement culture by acting as a coach and mentor and providing ongoing education to the AB Leadership team and their teams.
• Continuously improve performance fundamentals. Deploy, train and coach Sonova X methods, incl. Daily & Visual Mgmt., Kaizen, Problem Solving, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Leadership Standard Work and Hoshin Kanri
• Drive for results. Assist in achieving Strategic Plan objectives in collaboration with the functional owners. Proactively lead problem solving processes to identify root causes and countermeasures for deviations and resolve transactional performance issues.
• Manage funnel of improvement initiatives. Support leaders in defining and implementing a prioritized Continuous Improvement roadmap. Drive a funnel of process improvement initiatives to implement the roadmap.
• Kaizens. Identify, prepare, and lead Kaizen with a focus on realized results and sustainment.
• Continuously elevate commercial capabilities and expand the Sonova toolbox. Continuously challenge process outcomes and apply Continuous Improvement tools, functional expertise and change management to improve, sustain, standardize and deploy key commercial and operational processes.
• Evolve the Sonova X System. Collaborate with the global Sonova X community to create and deploy new standards and procedures and develop and deliver trainings.
• Ensure that all improvements implemented are consistent with all regulatory, quality, and corporate compliance requirements
• Willingness to travel 30% including 5-day onsite events at least every 3 months

More about you:

• Practical work experience in a Lean / Continuous Improvement (CI) environment in a growth and transactional context
• At least 7 years of experience in continuous improvement including 5 years in a leadership role
• Prior experience with Toyota Production Systems or company with similar system is highly preferred
• Prior experience in MedTech highly desirable
• Prior experience with Toyota Production System or a company with a similar system is preferred
• Experience in defining and deploying organizational and process change, operating as change agent, demonstrated effective stakeholder management with organizational awareness and dexterity
• Lean Expert - Demonstrated experience in CI in a commercial and office context. Fluent in VSM, Kaizen, Problem Solving, Daily Mgmt, Hoshin Kanri, (Leader) Standard Work
• Functional process expert - Has been exposed to and participated in various CI tools to drive growth.
• Project Management - Able to manage multiple projects/activities

A minimum of 200Mb/sec download and 10Mb/sec upload speed internet connectivity is required to support any remote/hybrid employee functionality at Sonova

Don't meet all the criteria? If you're willing to go allin and learn we'd love to hear from you!

We are looking forward to receiving your application via our online job application platform. For this position only direct applications will be considered. Sonova does not recruit via app, telegram, carrier pigeon or any other format that does not include speaking with an actual human. If you are offered a job without speaking with someone please contact mailto:wholesale.HR@sonova.com

What we offer:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage*
• Health Savings, Health Reimbursement, Flexible Spending/Dependent Care Accounts
• TeleHealth options
• 401k plan with company match*
• Company paid life/ad&d insurance
  
  
  
  • Additional supplemental life/ad&d coverage available
  
  
  
  
• Company paid Short/Long-Term Disability coverage (STD/LTD)
  
  
  
  • STD LTD Buy-ups available
  
  
  
  
• Accident/Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Legal/ID Theft Assistance
• PTO (or sick and vacation time), floating Diversity Day, & paid holidays*
• Paid parental bonding leave
• Employee Assistance Program (24/7 mental health support hotline, 5 company paid counseling sessions and more)
• Robust Internal Career Growth opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Hearing aid discount for employees and family
• Internal social recognition platform
• D&I focused: D&I council and employee resource groups

*Plan rules/offerings dependent upon group Company/location.

This role's pay range is between: $156,000-$224,000 (compensation range depends on years of experience and location). This role is also bonus eligible.

How we work:

At Sonova, we prioritize the well-being of our employees and foster an inclusive environment that promotes engagement and collaboration. Our team-customized hybrid work model empowers teams to balance individual needs with business goals, offering flexibility and individualized time management. We recognize the importance of life outside of work and strive to create a supportive and motivating workplace where innovation thrives.