Operations Manager Merksem (Anvers)

Raffinerie Tirlemontoise - Tiense Suikerraffinaderij; Antwerpen; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Fringe benefits

Job summary

Raffinerie Tirlemontoise invites applications for an Operations Manager at the Merksem site (Antwerp). You will lead daily production operations, coordinate maintenance, and drive safety, quality, and efficiency across the plant.

You will mentor team leaders and operators, optimize production planning and supply chain activities, and participate in capital projects. The role requires a master’s degree in Engineering and 5–10 years in manufacturing with strong leadership and maintenance

Qualifications

• Master degree in Engineering, with relevant manufacturing experience.
• 5–10 years in a manufacturing environment, with maintenance management and continuous improvement exposure.
• Proven experience in managing teams with strong coaching and motivational skills.
• Good knowledge of safety regulations and food safety standards.
• Collaborative mindset and strong team-player attitude.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day production operations of the plant.
• Lead, coach, and develop team leaders and production operators.
• Coordinate maintenance to maximize equipment reliability and availability.
• Coordinate and optimize production planning and supply chain activities.
• Act as project leader or core team member for investment/capital expenditure projects.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, food safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Team coaching

Safety compliance

Continuous improvement

Project management

Education

Master degree in Engineering (Industrial Engineering, Bio-Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering)

Job description

Raffinerie Tirlemontoise, est une référence dans l'industrie alimentaire belge. Chez nous, tradition et innovation vont de pair : depuis 1836, nous produisons du sucre de haute qualité à partir de betteraves cultivées localement, tout en travaillant chaque jour à un avenir plus durable.

Afin de renforcer notre team de Merksem, nous recherchons un.e

Operations Manager Merksem (Anvers)

Raffinerie Tirlemontoise has 6 locations in Belgium and the Netherlands, each location has its own specialty. The factory in Merksem specialises in the production of candy sugars and syrups, better known under the Candico brand, and has always played an important role in the history of sugar production. To reinforce our team we are looking for an experienced and hands-on Operations Manager who will lead production operations, inspire and develop the team and ensure the efficient coordination of production, maintenance, supply chain activities and investment projects.

Your job as Operations Manager

You report to the Plant Manager and are responsible for:

• Managing the day-to-day production operations of the manufacturing plant.
• Leading, coaching, and developing team leaders and production operators.
• Coordinating the maintenance in order to ensure maximum equipment reliability and availability.
• Coordinating and optimizing production planning and supply chain activities.
• Acting as project leader or core team member for investment and capital expenditure projects.
• Promoting a strong culture of safety, food safety, quality, and operational excellence.

It's in our roots, In yours too?

At Raffinerie Tirlemontoise, we've been making sugar since 1836. The ingredients for success? They're ingrained in our roots:

• Flexibility and curiosity – We continue to invest in better, more sustainable and more efficient ways of working. As we modernize our processes and equipment, your expertise and ideas will help us make the right choices and drive continuous improvement.
• Technology and common sense – You'll work in a technologically advanced manufacturing environment where data, experience and common sense go hand in hand.
• Solo and as a team – You'll enjoy a high degree of autonomy and the freedom to take ownership of your work. At the same time, you'll be part of a collaborative environment where teams support one another and work together towards shared goals.

You should also possess the following qualifications and experiences:

• Master degree in Engineering (Industrial Engineering, Bio-Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering), or equivalent through experience.
• At least 5 to 10 years of relevant experience in a manufacturing environment, experience with maintenance management and continuous improvement methodologies is a strong asset.
• Proven experience in managing teams with strong coaching and motivational skills.
• Good knowledge of safety regulations and food safety standards.
• A collaborative mindset and a strong team-player attitude.

A fertile ground for your talent

This is what you can expect from us :

• A versatile role, with plenty of autonomy and responsibilities
• A hands-on and no-nonsense work environment with open communication culture and team spirit
• An attractive remuneration package, including fringe benefits and a company car

About Raffinerie Tirlemontoise

For nearly 200 years, Raffinerie Tirlemontoise has been producing sugar from local sugar beets, serving both industries and home kitchens. You'll become part of a family of 600 proud sugar makers who stick together, both on and off the factory floor. They operate with a refined blend of tradition and innovation, aiming for minimal environmental impact as nothing from our sugar beets goes to waste. Our mission? To make life sweeter for people worldwide. And we're excited to do it together with you!

Earliest Possible Start Date: 10/1/2026

Contact: Belin, Marie-Pierre