Operations Manager – Food Microbiology

X4 Engineering; Vlaanderen; Sur place; EUR 85 000 - 120 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

X4 Engineering in Belgium is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the food microbiology operation at the site. You will sit on the site leadership team with ownership of the bottom line and responsibility for around 50 people.

The role combines strong operational and lean management expertise with people leadership to drive productivity, turnaround times and continuous improvement while maintaining accreditation and high quality standards.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in an operations, production or manufacturing role within food production.
• Track record of leading continuous improvement projects and managing budgets with measurable gains in productivity and profitability.
• Lean management experience and a genuine interest in process optimisation.
• Experience within a highly regulated laboratory environment.
• Fluent English; French and/or Dutch an advantage.

Responsabilités

• Lead daily operations across the food microbiology departments, keeping the site efficient and fully compliant with regulatory standards.
• Drive productivity, cost reduction and faster turnaround times to improve service and client retention.
• Owning the bottom line for the operation.
• Building a team-oriented culture with open communication and collaborative problem solving.
• Leading lean management and continuous improvement work to optimise lab workflows.
• Setting and tracking KPIs against operational goals.
• Working with sister laboratories across Europe on cross-selling and shared expertise.
• Maintaining accreditation and compliance with all legal, contractual and quality standards.

Connaissances

Leadership

Lean management

People management

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Formation

Bachelor's or Master's in microbiology or related field

Description du poste

Our client is an international network of testing laboratories providing microbiological and chemical analysis across food, feed and water, supporting producers and retailers throughout Europe. They are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the food microbiology operation at their Belgian site.

This is a senior leadership position sitting on the site leadership team and reporting directly to the Managing Director, with ownership of the bottom line and responsibility for around 50 people.

The successful candidate will combine strong operational and lean management expertise with genuine people leadership, acting as the driving force behind productivity, turnaround times and continuous improvement, while ensuring the laboratory maintains its accreditation and the highest standards of quality and service.

Key responsibilities:

• Leading daily operations across the food microbiology departments, keeping the site efficient and fully compliant with regulatory standards
• Driving productivity, cost reduction and faster turnaround times to improve service and client retention
• Owning the bottom line for the operation
• Building a team-oriented culture with open communication and collaborative problem solving
• Leading lean management and continuous improvement work to optimise lab workflows
• Setting and tracking KPIs against operational goals
• Working with sister laboratories across Europe on cross-selling and shared expertise
• Maintaining accreditation and compliance with all legal, contractual and quality standards

What they're looking for:

• At least 5 years in an operations, production or manufacturing role within food production
• A track record of leading continuous improvement projects and managing budgets, with measurable gains in productivity and profitability
• Bachelor's or Master's in microbiology or a related scientific field
• Lean management experience and a genuine interest in process optimisation
• Experience within a highly regulated laboratory environment
• Strong people management - someone who can motivate and develop a team, not just run a rota
• Fluent English essential; French and/or Dutch a real advantage

This will suit someone who enjoys the operational side as much as the science - improving how a site runs, developing the people in it, and having real influence at leadership level.