Operations Director

For an established industrial manufacturing company, we are looking for an experienced Operations Director to lead and further develop its manufacturing and operational activities. Reporting directly to the Managing Director and as a key member of the Management Team, you will oversee Production, Engineering & Maintenance, Supply Chain, Planning, Warehousing and Procurement. This is a strategic yet hands-on leadership position, combining operational management, organizational development and continuous improvement. Your mission will be to strengthen operational performance, ensure industrial reliability and drive the site's long-term development.

Your responsibilities

1. Lead and optimize manufacturing operations

• Oversee daily production and site operations, ensuring safety, quality, productivity and delivery targets are consistently achieved.
• Drive operational excellence through continuous improvement initiatives, Lean methodologies, waste reduction and process optimization.
• Optimize production capacity, resources and operational costs.
• Foster close collaboration between Production, Engineering, Quality and Supply Chain.

2. Drive engineering, maintenance and asset performance

• Lead Engineering and Maintenance activities, ensuring equipment reliability, availability and operational continuity.
• Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Oversee technical investments, CAPEX projects, equipment upgrades and industrial improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with technical, environmental and safety standards.

3. Manage Supply Chain and Procurement

• Lead end-to-end Supply Chain activities, including production planning, warehousing, inventory management and logistics.
• Optimize material flows, stock levels and supply chain performance.
• Develop procurement strategies, manage strategic suppliers and lead commercial negotiations.
• Drive alignment between demand, production capacity and supply through effective planning processes.

4. Lead organizational development and stakeholder relations

• Lead, coach and develop a multidisciplinary management team and their respective departments.
• Build a culture of accountability, engagement, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Manage employee relations and social dialogue, fostering constructive relationships with employee representatives.
• Support organizational transformation and ensure effective communication across the site.

5. Contribute to the company's strategic development

• Actively participate in Management Team discussions and contribute to the definition and execution of the site's operational strategy.
• Translate business objectives into clear operational priorities and measurable performance indicators.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen competitiveness and support sustainable growth.

Your profile

• Master's degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, Economics or equivalent
• At least 15 years of experience in industrial or manufacturing environments, including significant leadership responsibilities.
• Proven experience managing multiple operational functions, ideally covering Production, Engineering & Maintenance and Supply Chain.
• Strong track record in operational excellence, Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement and change management.
• Solid understanding of industrial processes, maintenance strategies, production planning and inventory management.
• Experience in managing CAPEX projects and driving operational transformation.
• Previous exposure to social dialogue, union relations and employee representative negotiations.
• Experience in the Food or Pharmaceutical industry would be an advantage.
• Fluency in French and professional proficiency in English and/or Dutch.

Key competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Strategic mindset combined with a hands-on approach and strong shop-floor presence.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to drive change, build high-performing teams and deliver sustainable results.
• Resilient, pragmatic and results-oriented approach.

Interested in this opportunity?

If you are looking for a challenging leadership role where you can shape industrial performance and contribute to the strategic development of a manufacturing site, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Please apply or get in touch for a confidential discussion.

Robert Walters Belgium is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.