Head of Continuous Improvement

Stellenbeschreibung

Make a difference by becoming part of the No. 1 protein snack manufacturer worldwide as Head of Continuous Improvement EMEA at Link Snacks. 
Our spacious and modern EMEA HQ is located in the vibrant Amsterdam, and includes a highly international team, with more than 25 different nationalities. Our EMEA team is committed to continuing its impressive EMEA expansion, one bite at a time, and becoming the regional leader in branded protein snacks.  
This position is based in Ansbach and you will be reporting to the Manufacturing Director EMEA.

The Head of Continuous Improvement EMEA is responsible for leading the Continuous Improvement transformation across the EMEA region (Germany & France) and for building a sustainable culture of operational excellence.

The role will define and deploy a common Continuous Improvement strategy, operating system, methodologies and capabilities across the organization. 

Your main responsibilities will include:

• To establish Continuous Improvement as the way we work – creating sustainable improvements in Safety, Quality, Customer Service, Productivity, Cost, Delivery, People Engagement and overall operational performance.
• Partner with the Operations Leadership Team, Plant Leadership Teams, and Supply Chain organization to identify, prioritize, and execute strategic improvement initiatives across the end-to-end value chain.
• To be a subject matter expert and internal trainer for TPM, LEAN and Six Sigma, equipping leaders and employees with the knowledge, skills, and tools required to sustain a high-performance improvement culture.
• To establish a structured Operational Excellence roadmap, embed best practices across the organization, and ensure sustainable performance improvements aligned with the company's growth ambitions.
• To delivere measurable operational efficiencies, productivity gains, cost reductions, waste elimination, process standardization, capability development, and working capital improvements across all EMEA manufacturing sites and supply chain functions.
• Continuous Improvement Strategy & Deployment
• Culture & Leadership Transformation: Lead the transformation towards a culture in which continuous improvement, problem solving and operational discipline are embedded in everyday work.
• People Leadership: Lead and develop a team of 3 direct reports
• Develop, standardize and deploy appropriate Continuous Improvement methodologies across EMEA, including: Lean Manufacturing / Lean Management, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Six Sigma / DMAIC, Kaizen / Rapid Improvement Events, Value Stream Mapping, 5S and Visual Management, Standard Work.
• Operational Efficiency & Productivity: Lead cross-functional improvement programs and standardization of best practices across all manufacturing sites and supply chain functions.
• Performance Measurement & Analytics: Develop and maintain a Continuous Improvement performance management framework.

Qualifikationen

EU Citizenship and/or valid work permit is required. Please note that relocation assistance is not available for this position. All applications must be submitted in English, as it is the company’s corporate language. 

• Bachelors Degree and/or Master's Degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, or Supply Chain Transformation roles.
• People Leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience delivering significant operational efficiency, productivity, and cost improvement programs across multiple sites. (Design and Implementation of TPM, LEAN and Six Sigma methodologies in manufacturing and supply chain environments.
• Experience within FMCG, Food Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, or a similarly complex production environment preferred.
• Experience leading cross-functional improvement program, large-scale business transformation and change management initiatives.
• Fluency in English and German is mandatory ; plus an additional European language (ideally French) is an advantage.
• Availability to travel regularly across the EMEA region, with an estimated presence of 60% at the manufacturing plant in Ansbach, Germany, 20% at the plant in Guben, Germany, and 20% at the plant in Lyon, France.

Zusätzliche Informationen

Our benefits  
At Link Snacks, you’ll find a competitive compensation and benefits package that supports performance, flexibility, and employee well-being!  

• Company bike leasing
• Health and wellness benefits
• Discounts at the factory outlet
• An interesting and independent role in a highly specialised food manufacturing facility
• The opportunity to shape your role and contribute your own ideas
• A respectful and collaborative working environment with a positive workplace culture
• Company pension scheme
• Free on-site parking
• Subsidised meals in the company canteen
• Occupational health physician

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer  
Link Snacks provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.