Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and accountability for the performance of the manufacturing site, ensuring delivery of safety, quality, cost, service, and productivity objectives.
• Lead manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, warehousing, and production planning functions to achieve operational excellence and superior customer service levels.
• Develop and implement a robust KPI and performance management framework, ensuring transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making across all functions.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives, embedding a culture of operational discipline, waste reduction, and sustainable performance improvement.
• Improve production planning and scheduling processes to increase responsiveness to changing customer demand while optimizing capacity utilization.
• Lead inventory reduction initiatives and improve end-to-end material flow to enhance working capital performance and operational efficiency.
• Reduce lead times and increase organizational flexibility through process optimization, cross-functional collaboration, and improved planning practices.
• Partner closely with Finance to ensure strong operational control, cost management, forecasting accuracy, and achievement of business targets.
• Build and develop a high-performing leadership team, fostering engagement, accountability, collaboration, and talent development throughout the organization.
• Support the harmonization and continuous improvement of business processes, systems, and operational standards across the wider manufacturing network.
• Collaborate closely with other manufacturing locations to ensure effective coordination of production processes, material flows, and supply chain activities.
• Lead change management initiatives and successfully engage stakeholders across all levels of the organization during periods of transformation.
• Maintain constructive and professional relationships with employee representative bodies, ensuring effective cooperation while delivering business objectives.

Candidate Profile

• Proven experience leading a large manufacturing operation as Plant Manager, Operations Director, Site Director, or in a comparable senior leadership role.
• Strong track record of delivering operational transformation and measurable performance improvements within a manufacturing environment.
• Deep understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement methodologies, and operational excellence principles.
• Demonstrated experience implementing KPI-driven performance management systems and developing a culture of accountability.
• Strong expertise in production planning, supply chain management, logistics, inventory optimization, and capacity management.
• Experience managing operations in environments characterized by fluctuating demand and high product complexity.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with a hands-on, shop-floor-oriented management approach.
• Strong change management and stakeholder management capabilities, with the ability to influence across functions and levels of the organization.
• Experience working with German Works Councils (Betriebsrat) and employee representatives in a unionized environment.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team development skills.
• Fluent German and English language skills.
• Willingness to relocate and work on-site in Western Germany.