Application Guide

How to Apply for Lean & Process Excellence Manager

at Freudenberg

🏢 About Freudenberg

Freudenberg is a global technology group with a strong focus on sustainable heavy-duty e-mobility, offering emission-neutral energy systems. The company's commitment to innovation and sustainability makes it an exciting place to work for those passionate about making a tangible environmental impact. Working at Freudenberg means being part of a team that values continuous improvement and operational excellence, with a culture that emphasizes accountability and ownership.

About This Role

As a Lean & Process Excellence Manager, you will lead Lean, Kaizen, and process improvement workshops to drive efficiency across finance processes such as Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and General Ledger. You will be instrumental in fostering a culture of continuous improvement, coaching employees, and implementing scalable process solutions. Your work will directly contribute to the company's mission by optimizing operations and supporting finance transformation initiatives.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve leading a Kaizen workshop with finance team members to streamline the accounts payable process, followed by one-on-one coaching sessions with team leads to reinforce Lean principles. You might also spend time analyzing process data to identify bottlenecks and collaborating with IT to explore AI-based automation opportunities. Later, you could be preparing a presentation for leadership on the progress of a finance transformation project.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Freudenberg Is Looking For

  • Proven experience in leading Lean and Kaizen workshops, with a strong track record of eliminating waste and improving processes.
  • Deep understanding of finance processes (AP, AR, GL) and experience in driving continuous improvement initiatives in a finance shared services environment.
  • Ability to coach and train employees at all levels in Lean principles, and experience in facilitating root cause analysis and problem-solving activities.
  • Familiarity with AI-based process automation and a passion for leveraging technology to optimize finance processes.

📝 Tips for Applying to Freudenberg

1

Highlight your experience with Lean methodologies in finance contexts, specifically mentioning AP, AR, and GL processes and how you improved them.

2

Showcase any experience with AI or automation tools in process improvement, as Freudenberg is looking to identify opportunities for AI-based optimization.

3

Emphasize your ability to lead workshops and coach teams, providing concrete examples of how you've driven cultural change towards continuous improvement.

4

Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description such as 'Kaizen', 'root cause analysis', 'process standardization', and 'finance transformation'.

5

Research Freudenberg's sustainability initiatives and mention how your process improvement work can support their mission of emission-neutral energy systems.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your hands-on experience in leading Lean and Kaizen workshops, with measurable results in finance process improvement.', 'Your ability to coach and train employees, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.', "Your understanding of finance processes (AP, AR, GL) and how you've identified and eliminated inefficiencies.", 'Your vision for integrating AI and automation into process optimization to drive scalable solutions.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Freudenberg's sustainability goals and how they integrate into their business strategy, especially in heavy-duty e-mobility.
  • → The company's recent financial performance and any publicized finance transformation initiatives.
  • → Freudenberg's company culture and values, particularly around continuous improvement and employee development.
  • → Any case studies or press releases about Freudenberg's use of Lean or AI in their operations.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you led a Kaizen event that significantly improved a finance process. What was the outcome?
2 How do you approach coaching employees who are resistant to change?
3 What Lean tools do you find most effective for root cause analysis in finance processes?
4 Can you give an example of how you've used AI or automation to optimize a process?
5 How would you ensure best practices are standardized and replicated across a global organization?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on manufacturing Lean experience without connecting it to finance processes; be sure to highlight finance-specific improvements.
  • Neglecting to mention coaching or training experience, as this role heavily involves developing others.
  • Using generic examples of process improvement without quantifying results or demonstrating impact on business outcomes.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Freudenberg!

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