Process Improvement Manager

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine and essential goods anytime, anywhere. We design, build, and operate the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably. Today, Zipline operates on four continents, makes a delivery somewhere in the world every 30 seconds, and has completed millions of deliveries to date, including blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products. 

Our customers include the world’s largest and most prominent healthcare systems, governments, retailers, restaurants and global businesses who rely on us to save lives, reduce emissions, increase economic opportunity, and provide delivery from point A to point B as fast as possible. The drone is only 15% of what we’ve built to enable seamless, reliable, global operations.

Our system strengthens supply chains, reduces congestion, and gives people time back. With more than 140 million commercial autonomous miles safely flown, Zipline is redefining access to healthcare, consumer products, and food across the globe.

We operate at a global scale and are looking for practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth. Our team is motivated by building systems that have a direct, meaningful impact on people’s lives and by scaling the future of logistics. We are seeking people who sculpt from first principles, enjoy facing adversity, and can do the impossible at record breaking speeds.

Zipline operates one of the most advanced autonomous logistics networks in the world. As we scale across Africa, ensuring efficient, reliable, and scalable operations is critical to delivering high-quality service. We are looking for a Process Improvement Manager to drive end-to-end operational improvements across our network. This is a highly execution-focused role responsible for identifying inefficiencies, leading structured root cause analysis, and implementing durable solutions in close partnership with in-country Operations teams. You will operate at the intersection of operations, data, and execution—turning insights into measurable improvements on the ground. You will also play a key role in standardizing workflows and designing scalable processes that enable consistent performance across geographies. Success in this role requires strong operational judgment, hands-on problem solving, and the ability to drive change in complex, real-world environments.

Operational Process Improvement

• Lead end-to-end continuous improvement initiatives (problem identification → root cause analysis → solution design → implementation → impact tracking).
• Identify inefficiencies and performance gaps across operational workflows.
• Conduct structured root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Conduct structured root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions
• Redesign and standardize processes to improve efficiency, reliability, and scalability.

Execution & Field Engagement

• Partner with in-country Operations teams to implement process changes and drive adoption.
• Conduct field visits and on-site assessments to understand operational realities and identify improvement opportunities.
• Act as the bridge between Global teams and field operations, ensuring solutions are practical, durable and effective in real-world environments.

Data-Driven Performance Management

• Partner with the Data Team to define success metrics and track the impact.
• Use data to prioritize initiatives and validate improvements.
• Collaborate with Data Analysts for deeper analysis when needed, while maintaining autonomy in day-to-day execution.

Scalability & Capacity Planning

• Support capacity planning initiatives across regions.
• Design scalable processes that can be replicated across operational sites.
• Contribute to building a consistent, high-performing and scalable operating model.

• 4–7+ years of experience in operations, process engineering, or similar roles.
• Proven track record leading continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent methodologies).
• Strong execution skills and ability to drive change in live operational environments.
• Experience working closely with field teams or in on-the-ground operational settings.
• Solid analytical skills and comfort working with data (basic SQL or similar tools is a plus).
• Strong problem-solving and structured thinking capabilities.
• Ability to operate independently and manage multiple initiatives in parallel.
• Excellent stakeholder management; able to influence without authority.
• Pragmatism, resilience, and a strong sense of ownership in high-ambiguity environments.

This role is based in-country with significant travel, and requires regular engagement with operational sites and field teams.

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities.