Operations Director

Company and Context

All potential candidates should read through the following details of this job with care before making an application.

Our client is an established international industrial group with a strong footprint in the European automotive supplier market. The company operates several manufacturing sites across Europe and supplies leading OEMs and industrial customers with technically sophisticated metal components and systems.

Following a recent change in ownership structure, the organization is entering a new development phase focused on operational excellence, transparency, efficiency improvement, and the sustainable strengthening of its European manufacturing activities.

For one of its production sites in Belgium, where metal parts for the automotive industry are manufactured, we are currently seeking an experienced and implementation driven Operations Director. The role carries full operational responsibility for the plant and combines site leadership with a clear focus on performance improvement, lean management, quality, delivery performance, cost control, and people leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Full operational responsibility for the leadership and further development of the Belgian manufacturing site
• Management of all plant related functions, including production, maintenance, quality, industrial engineering, supply chain, logistics, HSE, and continuous improvement
• Ensuring delivery performance, product quality, productivity, cost efficiency, and occupational safety across the full value chain
• Driving sustainable improvements in efficiency, throughput times, scrap rates, machine availability, and operational KPIs
• Leading, developing, and motivating the local management team while establishing a transparent and performance oriented leadership culture
• Close cooperation with executive management, finance, sales, purchasing, HR, and European group functions to implement the site strategy
• Active management of transformation, restructuring, and improvement initiatives in the context of the company’s next development phase
• Responsibility for budget, investment planning, resource allocation, and continuous optimization of the site’s cost structure
• Professional management of internal and external stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, employee representatives, and group functions

Profile

• Degree in engineering, industrial engineering, production technology, mechanical engineering, business administration, or a comparable qualification
• Several years of leadership experience in an operational management role within an industrial xqknzec manufacturing environment, ideally in the automotive supplier industry
• Strong understanding of metal processing, industrial production processes, manufacturing value chains, and plant related performance management
• Proven track record in improving productivity, quality, delivery performance, cost structures, and operational stability
• Experience in transformation, restructuring, lean management, operational excellence, or comparable improvement programs
• Strong leadership personality with hands on mentality, high presence on the shopfloor, and clear focus on results
• Ability to lead teams through demanding change situations, set priorities, and implement decisions consistently
• Strong communication skills in dealing with management, employees, customers, and international stakeholders
• Fluent English and French required