Production Manager - Bumblebee Breeding

Biobest Group; Westerlo; On-site; EUR 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hospitalization insurance

Group insurance

Meal vouchers

Eco vouchers

Commuting allowance

Employee discounts at local businesses

Job summary

Biobest in Belgium is seeking a Production Manager – Bumblebee Breeding to lead two production teams totaling about 40 employees on the busy breeding floor. You will ensure efficiency, quality and continuous improvement, coordinate with R&D, Packing, QC, and Planning, and report to the Operations Manager.

Fluency in Dutch and on-site daytime work are required. The role offers a white-collar contract, a competitive hourly wage, and benefits including hospitalization, group insurance, meal and eco

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in a production environment.
• Affinity for biology or agricultural sectors is a plus.
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably SAP.
• Strong people management and team development skills.
• Excellent communication and organizational abilities.
• Willingness to work on-site during daytime hours (7:00 AM start).
• Fluency in Dutch.

Responsibilities

• Lead two production teams totaling around 40 employees on a daily basis.
• Foster a positive, respectful, and growth-focused work environment.
• Ensure effective planning, budgeting, and cross-department collaboration.
• Translate forecasts into production plans with inventory and capacity awareness.
• Monitor safety, quality and productivity KPIs and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Analytical

Communication

Dutch language

Tools

SAP ERP

Job description

At Biobest, a division of BioFirst Group, we are committed to making agriculture more sustainable every day. As a pioneer in biological crop protection, we breed bumblebees that play an essential role in the natural pollination of crops worldwide. Behind every bumblebee colony lies a carefully managed and specialized breeding process, where the expertise, collaboration and dedication of our employees make all the difference. From our production site in Belgium, we contribute to healthy and sustainable food production across the globe.

To further strengthen our bumblebee breeding operations, we are looking for a Production Manager – Bumblebee Breeding who combines strong leadership, a focus on quality and a passion for people to lead our breeding teams. Together with your employees, you will ensure an efficient, high-quality and future-oriented breeding process.

Your mission

As Production Manager – Bumblebee Breeding, you will lead two dedicated teams comprising approximately 40 production employees. You will play a key role in connecting your teams with other departments involved in daily operations. You will actively contribute to achieving organizational objectives while ensuring maximum efficiency and effectiveness in both current and future breeding activities. You will report to the Operations Manager.

Your responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management

• You are responsible for the day-to-day management of operations on the production floor, taking timely action whenever necessary.
• You foster a positive working environment built on respect, diversity, professional growth, ownership and strong connections between employees.
• You promote open communication, encourage feedback, strengthen employee engagement and guide your teams through continuous change.
• You implement effective performance follow-up, employee development initiatives and training programs.
• You look beyond your own teams and encourage collaboration and professional development across production departments, working closely with fellow production managers.

Communication, Planning and Budget Management

• You play a crucial role in monitoring production planning and ensuring an efficient and safe working environment.
• You represent production in project meetings related to your area of responsibility. You actively contribute to improvement projects and foster a culture of continuous optimization.
• You ensure effective collaboration between your teams and closely connected departments (R&D, Packing, QC, Warehouse, Global S&OP and Planning).
• You translate sales forecasts into production plans, taking into account inventory levels, workforce planning and production capacity, with a strong focus on ensuring reliable product availability.
• You ensure accurate inventory management in SAP.
• You manage and monitor your departmental budget, including operational expenses and labor costs.

Operational Excellence

• You are solution-oriented and respond quickly to operational challenges.
• You anticipate and proactively address current and future breeding requirements regarding capacity, raw materials, equipment, planning and staffing.
• You oversee the implementation and management of procedures, work instructions and records, ensuring that knowledge is retained and consistently shared and that operations comply with the organization's safety and quality standards.
• You apply Lean methodologies and other continuous improvement techniques to enhance operational efficiency.
• You manage and monitor your KPIs, including safety, quality and productivity.
• You ensure that all operations comply with applicable local, regional and federal laws and regulations regarding safety and environmental requirements.

Your profile

• You have proven leadership experience within a production environment.
• Ideally, you have an affinity for biology or the agricultural and horticultural sectors. Experience in a similar industry is considered an asset.
• You have knowledge of and experience with ERP systems, preferably SAP.
• You are a natural people manager with a strong connection to the production floor. You enjoy building teams, providing direction and motivating employees to achieve results together.
• You are results-driven and have a hands-on mentality.
• You are organized, analytical and possess excellent communication skills.
• You are willing to work on-site during daytime hours, generally starting at 7:00 AM.
• You are fluent in Dutch.

What do we offer?

• Biobest offers you a unique opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to more sustainable horticulture while growing professionally alongside the continued development of the Biobest Group.
• You will have the opportunity to apply and further develop your leadership skills.
• Our site is easily accessible and located in an area with minimal traffic congestion, allowing you to enjoy a stress-free commute and more quality time with family and friends.
• You will receive a white-collar employment contract with a competitive hourly wage, complemented by attractive benefits such as hospitalization and group insurance, meal vouchers, eco vouchers, a commuting allowance and employee discounts at local businesses.