Head of EMEA, Filtration

at  Ahlstrom

You have a choice of where you want to work! We invite you along on our journey to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to attract, retain, and energize passionate people, like you, by investing in your professional development and providing opportunities for personal growth.
Do your values align with ours? Accountability, Growth mindset, One team, Care and a fair and inclusive work environment for everyone, everywhere!
We strive to meet the highest standards of corporate citizenship by protecting the health and safety of our team, safeguarding the environment, and creating a long-lasting, positive impact on the communities where we do business. Are you with us?!?
We are looking for a Head of EMEA for our Filtration Business Unit, which is part of Filtration and Life Sciences Division.

LEADERSHIP AND OTHER REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would require:

• Alignment with Ahlstrom Values of Care, Growth Mindset, Accountability, and OneTeam
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to plan for future, adjust to changing environments and consider and prepare for future challenges
• Leadership: Is skilled at blending the needs of the business and the Team to achieve desired results. Can take charge of situations as needed but is equally comfortable in building Team engagement and ownership.
• Business Intelligence: Understands how the key drivers of our business relate to each other, work together to produce profitable growth and relate to the job done each day. Is able to talk through business conditions and has an in-depth knowledge of BU’s customers and the marketplace.
• Communication and Change Management Skills: Effective at various forms of communicating including presenting to senior management and adjusts well to changing requirements and business conditions.
• Improvising: Thinks on their feet, willing to try, flexible, curious and open to learning. Is an avid, adept, disciplined, and versatile learner in the context of an activity. Quickly and effectively integrates new information and skills to enhance personal performance or the performance of the organization.
• Analytical and Metrics Oriented: Ability to quickly take a problem or task and break down into smaller elements to effectively solve problems and complete tasks meeting assigned targets.
• Problem Solving/Trouble Shooting: Utilizes consistent and repeatable methods to solve difficult problems and identify effective solutions. Understands the importance of involving key stakeholders in the process as well as of sharing with the Team, and is not afraid to pull in additional resources as needed.
• Work Relationships: Ability to develop an internal network with excellent working relationships. Trusts and respects team members and peers. Values and appreciates others input and ideas; supports an environment of sharing and open feedback. Welcomes diversity and celebrates difference. Considers what others have to say and factors their insights into decision making. Shares credit for accomplishments, ideas and contributions.

Ahlstrom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal opportunity is a sound and just concept to which we are firmly bound. Ahlstrom will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with our company based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, non-disqualifying disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.
About Us. Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our vision is to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders.
Our three divisions, Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2023 amounted to EUR 3.0 billion and we employ some 7,000 people.
Learn more at www.ahlstrom.com
Ahlstrom’s manufacturing and hygiene processes, procedures and policies, must be adhered to, as applicable, to the position’s areas of responsibility, in order to meet and maintain the safety, quality, and regulatory compliance requirements for each grade of paper

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

• Manage the business and operations of the Business Unit in Europe
• Ensure compliance (including local laws and regulations), Group culture, targets and policies respect and implementation, with particular focus on HSE as first priority
• Contribute in definition of strategic annual plan targets and key performance indicators
• Build and lead right capabilities to grant price management, manufacturing competencies, quality and customer service continuous improvement, as well as product and business development within the area of responsibility
• Develop leadership and competencies to achieve a higher customer value proposition and overall performance
• Part of the BU leadership team, contributing to the BU and Division overall development

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Set priorities in order to continuously improve in safety culture and pursue the zero accidents target
• Grant respect and implementation of compliance, Group culture, policies and directives within the organization
• Manage the Filtration business in Europe through the regional sales organization
• Manage the Filtration operations and facilities in Europe, through Plant Managers (Tampere, Turin and Fabriano plants), including accountability, support and monitoring of shared plants hierarchically belonging to other BUs/Division
• Manage operations in safe, sustainable, efficient and economic manner to ensure optimal sustainability, productivity, working capital, quality and customer service
• Contribute to annual plan definition and ensure its successful cascading and execution
• Ensure the achievement of KPIs targets and Group initiatives with engaging dialogue with BU Leader and BU management teams
• Support the BU Leader in setting the commercial strategy and implement it
• Set BU operational strategy and targets jointly with BU Leader and VP Operations and implement them
• Support the BU Leader in developing the long term capex plan
• Support the BU Leader in setting and implementing business and product development strategy and targets
• Develop a high performance and continuous improvement culture within the organization
• Implement HR processes and define workforce planning strategy jointly with BU Leader and HR BP
• Support Plant Management in Unions relationships and negotiations
• Ensure good social climate and people engagement
• Promote Group values
• Review performance data that includes financial, sales, and activity reporting, in order to monitor and measure departmental productivity, goal achievement, and overall effectiveness