Operations Enablement Lead

Cognizant is a leading provider IT and BPO services, providing critical initiatives to a variety of global clients. The Hardware Operations team is a part of a high profile client project that provides interactive panoramas from positions along many streets in the world. Hardware Operations is responsible for building, testing, deploying, and maintaining imagery hardware and sensors used on different platforms. The Operations Enablement Lead is responsible for optimizing cross-functional programs and enabling efficient, scalable, and compliant operations. Overseeing multiple operational teams — including facilities, inventory, fleet, procurement, and product lifecycle management — the role will work closely with the Technical Enablement Lead and BizOps Lead to ensure strategic alignment, cascading and meeting of objectives, standardization, and achieving performance targets This role combines program leadership and operational excellence to drive consistency, transparency, and collaboration across diverse workstreams.

Role Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Execution

• Lead and coordinate cross-functional initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and service delivery.
• Collaborate with process owners across different regional and functional teams to facilitate effective process development.
• Translate overarching strategic objectives into actionable programs, complete with defined milestones, clear accountability, and measurable outcomes.
• Oversee delivery across diverse domains, ensuring the alignment of priorities, resource allocation, and timelines.
• Proactively manage risks, dependencies, and change management efforts to guarantee seamless program execution.
• Harmonize processes and standards across different workflows
• Identify and implement opportunities for automation, workflow efficiency, and improved data visibility.
• Facilitate communication across leadership and delivery teams to ensure transparency and shared accountability.
• Lead cross-team working groups to address systemic challenges, remove silos, and accelerate program outcomes.
  
  

Quality, Process Optimization & Change Management

• Establish and monitor operational KPIs, using data-driven insights to guide continuous improvement.
• Create and manage Quality framework and associated quality policies across multiple workflows within the Hardware Operations program
• Develop a review and feedback mechanism to continuously improve and update our processes and ensure lessons learned and evolving best practice (including external best practices) are adopted
• Define and implement unified processes for managing materials, equipment across all operational sites to eliminate manual work and delays through automation and structured planning.
• Lead engineering and operational change management initiatives, ensuring process updates are clearly documented, communicated, and adopted by all impacted teams (e.g., changes stemming from Product Lifecycle Management).
• Proactively identify process bottlenecks and inefficiencies, developing and leading improvement projects to maximize asset utilization and reduce operational waste.
  
  

Supply Chain & Asset Oversight

• Serve as the process expert for supply chain functions, providing guidance and analysis on procurement, logistics, and inventory strategies to support field execution needs.
• Enhance coordination between logistics, procurement, finance, and field teams to build a robust and resilient operational supply chain.
  
  

Sites and Facilities Oversight

• Manage and coach the regional site leads and coordinators to ensure the overall functioning of the sites, collaboration with global and regional leads and teams to identify needs and risks
• Collaborate with the client on understanding needs and priorities for each site
• Ensure relevant health and safety processes are in place across all sites
  
  

People & Team Leadership

• Manage and mentor globally dispersed teams and leads, fostering collaboration and professional growth.
• Promote a culture of enablement, continuous improvement, and data-informed decision making.
• Champion collaboration and shared accountability across teams and geographies.
  
  

Desired Skills & Experience

• At least a Bachelor's degree is required
• Operational Acumen: Possesses a robust background (8 years) in operations, with extensive experience in outsourced service delivery within client-facing, managed services, or business process outsourcing environments.
• Process Optimization: Demonstrates proven expertise in process re-engineering and improvement.
• Global Collaboration: Experienced in working with multi-regional/global teams, adept at managing competing priorities and diverse stakeholders.
• Methodological Proficiency: Familiarity with LEAN or Six Sigma methodologies is considered advantageous.
• Strategic Process Management: Exhibits a strong understanding of process management and optimization, encompassing standardization and continuous improvement.
• Program Leadership: Proven track record in leading cross-functional programs and initiatives that enhance efficiency, control costs, and foster team alignment.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Skilled in leveraging data and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to inform decisions, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement.
• Organizational & Communication Excellence: Possesses exceptional organizational and communication skills, effectively coordinating efforts across multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Change Management: Proficient in managing change and fostering collaboration within complex or fast-paced operational landscapes.
• Governance & Best Practices: Experienced in developing and maintaining operational
  
  

governance frameworks and implementing best practices.

Specialized Domain Knowledge: Experience in field operations, manufacturing, new product introduction, inventory and asset management, procurement, fleet management, or product lifecycle management is an advantage.

Core Competencies

• Extremely strong organizational, planning and multi-tasking skills to deliver operational excellence and efficiency
• Excellent and effective communication (and listening) skills, both verbal and written (including excellent presentation skills)
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work, able to prioritize workload
• An analytical mind and comprehensive problem-solving skills to enable you to quickly get to the root cause of an issue and design practical and effective plans to resolve/improve them
• Leadership skills, including experience of leading/influencing teams and the confidence to communicate effectively with others to deliver required targets
• Great attention to detail to understand key operational processes, systems and technology
• A drive for continued learning through training opportunities and knowledge sharing to develop innovative solutions.
• A good decision maker, able to bring a healthy, balanced approach to business with a strong customer focus
• Ability to work cross-functionally with lots of stakeholders to drive critical business decisions
• Strong commercial understanding
  
  

Hourly Rate And Other Compensation

The annual salary for this position is between $1300,000 - $150,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  
  

Disclaimer: The hourly rate, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

LA County (only): Qualified applicants with arrest and/or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring company sponsorship now or at any time in the future.