Manager Operational Excellence

As an Operational Excellence Manager, you hold final responsibility for the entire OPEX agenda at our site in De Lier. You own the Lean management system, define the standards, drive daily performance, and play a direct, content‑driven role within the Management Team. You have the mandate to set priorities, provide direction, and develop the organization toward process stability, predictability, and structural KPI improvement.

As an Operational Excellence Manager, you play a key role in building and strengthening the performance system of the site. You ensure that Operational Excellence becomes an integral part of daily operations, not just a project-based approach.

Your Impact and Positioning

• You define, implement and continuously improve the Lean management system at the site, including daily management, structured problem solving, leadership routines, standards, and KPI steering
• You own and drive the improvement agenda , setting clear priorities, methodologies, and rhythm to ensure impact and focus
• You act as a trusted sparring partner to the Management Team , translating strategic objectives into tangible operational performance
• You steer both leading and lagging KPIs (SQDCP + People) and integrate these into daily management and MT dialogue
• You connect Operational Excellence with key functions such as HR, Finance, and Supply Chain, ensuring alignment and cross-functional impact
• You lead and develop a team of approximately 5 FTE and report directly to the Head of Operations
• You make OPEX visible and tangible on the shopfloor , strengthening engagement within Production and embedding ownership in the line

Where Does the Site Stand Today?

The location is at a stage where the foundation is in place, but the maturity of Lean as a management system still needs to be further developed. You will join a driven OPEX team with strong potential, requiring direction, coaching, and focus to grow into a mature, content‑driven, and proactive improvement partner for operations.

This role is suited for a senior OPEX leader who gains energy from building, developing, and driving structural change.

Your Key Responsibilities:

1. Owner of the Lean Management System

• Design, implement, and safeguard the Lean management system (daily management, visual performance management, KPI dialogue).
• Define and maintain standards, management routines, and problem‑solving methodologies.
• Ensure structural performance improvement in output, quality, safety, cost, and delivery reliability.

2. Steering Performance (Leading & Lagging KPIs)

• Lead and strengthen daily and weekly performance dialogues.
• Analyze trends, variation, and process stability and translate these into concrete actions.
• Escalate issues that hinder operational performance or transformation progress.

3. Leadership in Change Management

• Develop behavioural and leadership routines that enable predictable performance.
• Create ownership within the line—ensuring improvements are not dependent on OPEX but become part of day‑to‑day work.
• Define and structurally secure success: process stability, sustainable KPI improvement, and line ownership.

4. Development of the OPEX Team

• Coach, develop, and professionalize the team toward a mature, content‑driven sparring partner level.
• Focus on growth in Lean thinking, data use, problem‑solving, prioritization, and learning to say “no.”
• Manage the balance between activity and impact—you steer on value, not busyness.

What Is Expected in This Role?

• Process stability and predictability;
• Structural improvement in SQDCP KPI’s;
• Ownership and leadership within the line;
• Sustainable standardization and routines;
• Development of the OPEX team toward professional maturity.

What Are We Looking For?

• Higher professional education (HBO) level or higher;
• At least 4 years of experience in a senior OPEX/Lean role;
• Extensive experience with Lean a