Manager Operations Transformation

GEA Group; Wommelgem; Hybrid; EUR 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International role with visibility

Challenging transformation projects

Professional growth opportunities

Collaborative and innovative working环境

Competitive compensation and benefits

Job summary

GEA Group is seeking a Manager Operations Transformation to lead end-to-end site transformation programs across selected international sites. You will diagnose performance, define improvement targets, and develop future-state operating models with local teams.

The role requires a Master’s in industrial engineering or similar, proven transformation experience, and strong Lean expertise. Travel to production sites will be necessary, and collaboration across functions is essential.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in industrial engineering or equivalent technical discipline.
• Proven track record of leading complex site transformation programs.
• Experience in engineer-to-order or engineering-driven manufacturing environments.
• Strong expertise in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Excellent project, change and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end site transformation programs across all relevant workstreams (diagnosis to stabilization).
• Diagnose performance and set quantified improvement targets (productivity, lead time, quality, delivery).
• Develop future-state operating models and implementation roadmaps with local teams.
• Translate designs into integrated workstreams, milestones and governance.
• Drive cross-functional implementation across operations, engineering, quality, supply chain.
• Apply lean and visual management, standard work and daily performance management.
• Align stakeholders, remove barriers and maintain execution momentum.
• Establish KPI tracking and drive corrective actions for benefits.
• Coach teams to embed new ways of working for sustainable results.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Operational Excellence

Continuous Improvement

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Change Management

KPI Tracking

Cross-cultural Experience

English Proficiency

Travel Readiness

Education

Master’s degree in industrial engineering or equivalent

Tools

Manufacturing layout optimization

Job description

Are you passionate about transforming manufacturing organizations and delivering measurable results? Do you thrive in an international manufacturing environment where strategic priorities are translated into tangible change across an entire site?

We are looking for a Manager Operations Transformation to lead end-to-end site transformation programs at selected sites across the international manufacturing network of GEA’s Pharma & Food Applications division. These programs may encompass operations, engineering, quality, qualification and validation, supply chain, organizational design and supporting functions.

Responsibilities / Tasks

• Lead end-to-end site transformation programs across all relevant workstreams, from diagnosis through implementation and stabilization
• Diagnose current performance and define quantified improvement targets across productivity, lead time, quality, delivery reliability, capacity utilization and operational cost
• Develop future-state operating models covering organizational structures, cross-functional processes, manufacturing layouts, workplace design and material flows together with local teams
• Translate the future-state design into integrated workstreams, implementation roadmaps, milestones and governance routines
• Drive implementation across operations, engineering, quality, qualification and validation, supply chain and supporting functions, with particular focus on critical cross-functional interfaces
• Apply fit-for-purpose Lean and operational excellence methods, including 5S, standard work, visual management, structured problem-solving and daily performance management
• Align site leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, resolve implementation barriers and maintain execution momentum
• Establish transparent KPI and benefit tracking, identify deviations and drive corrective action
• Coach local teams and managers to embed new ways of working and ensure sustainable results

Your Profile / Qualifications

You combine a strategic perspective with a hands-on, implementation-focused approach. You can engage and challenge stakeholders at all levels, create momentum and guide organizations through complex operational change

You also bring

• A master’s degree in industrial engineering or a comparable technical or operations-related discipline
• Several years of relevant experience in operational excellence, manufacturing engineering or transformation management, including a proven track record of leading complex site transformation programs and delivering measurable results
• Experience in engineer-to-order or similarly engineering-driven manufacturing environments, including a sound understanding of the interfaces between engineering, production, quality, qualification and validation
• Strong expertise in Lean Manufacturing, operational performance management and continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience with manufacturing layout optimization, workplace design, capacity planning and end-to-end production flows
• Excellent project, change and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to influence without direct line authority
• Strong analytical capabilities and experience with KPI and benefit tracking, combined with a pragmatic and results-oriented approach
• Experience working across countries and cultures in an international manufacturing environment
• Fluency in English
• Willingness to travel internationally on a regular basis and spend substantial time at production sites

Our offer:

At GEA, you’ll have the opportunity to make a direct impact on the performance of our production operations worldwide. You will work with talented colleagues across disciplines, contribute to strategic improvement initiatives, and help shape the future of manufacturing excellence.

We offer:

• An international role with significant visibility and impact.
• Challenging transformation projects across multiple production locations.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A collaborative and innovative working environment.
• A competitive compensation and benefits package.