Plant Manager

Van De Velde Packaging Group; Velbert; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Van de Velde Packaging Group in Germany seeks an experienced Plant Manager to lead our production site, drive operational performance, and develop our teams for the future.

You will organize, plan and monitor all plant activities while ensuring safety, quality, delivery and cost targets. You will translate strategy into actionable plans and lead a multidisciplinary team of ~4 managers and specialists, with around 100 employees, to strengthen site performance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering or equivalent.
• 5–10 years of experience in a comparable manufacturing leadership role.
• Proven track record in managing large-scale production operations.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, safety, quality and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Drive the implementation of the plant strategy and operational objectives to contribute to business growth and profitability.
• Ensure compliance with safety procedures, quality standards and operational guidelines.
• Translate priorities into effective planning and resource allocation for timely, high‑quality execution.
• Lead, coach and develop managers and employees, fostering engagement and continuous learning.
• Manage operational resources and budgets to optimize efficiency and cost performance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Communication

Analytical

Change management

Continuous improvement

Education

Master's degree in Engineering

Job description

Join us in shaping the future of sustainable packaging

At Van de Velde Packaging Group, more than 1,300 colleagues across 17 sites in 8 countries collaborate every day to deliver innovative and sustainable fibre-based packaging solutions.

As European legislation and consumer expectations continue to accelerate the transition away from single-use plastics, demand for sustainable packaging is growing rapidly. Together, we help our customers make this transition by developing high-quality fibre-based alternatives that create real value.

By combining local expertise with international strength, we foster a culture of teamwork, innovation and continuous improvement. Through strategic investments, entrepreneurship and the expertise of our people, we continue to drive growth while helping shape a more sustainable future.

We believe our people are the key to our success. That's why we're looking for passionate individuals who want to make an impact, grow their careers and help build the future of packaging.

About the Role

To strengthen our manufacturing organization In Germany, we are looking for an experienced and inspiring Plant Manager who will lead our production site, drive operational performance, and develop our teams for the future.

As Plant Manager, you will be responsible for organizing, planning, and monitoring all activities within the plant while continuously identifying opportunities to optimize performance. You will ensure the achievement of operational objectives in line with our safety, quality, delivery, and cost standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the implementation of the plant strategy and operational objectives to contribute to business growth and profitability.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, safety procedures, quality standards, and operational guidelines.
• Translate operational priorities into effective planning and resource allocation to guarantee timely and high-quality execution.
• Monitor daily plant performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement sustainable improvement actions.
• Lead, coach, and develop managers and employees, fostering engagement, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Manage operational resources and budgets to optimize efficiency and cost performance.
• Build constructive relationships with employees and social partners, promoting a positive and collaborative working environment.
• Ensure achievement of quality targets and continuous improvement of processes and products.
• Facilitate effective communication between departments and business units to align objectives and drive results.
• Stay informed on industry developments, technologies, and best practices to continuously strengthen site performance.
• Act as Site Manager where applicable, taking responsibility for broader areas such as Health & Safety, Facilities Management, and other site-support activities.

Your Team

You will lead a multidisciplinary organization consisting of functions such as:

• Maintenance Coordinators
• Production Engineers
• Maintenance Engineers
• Field Coaches Production
• Field Coaches Maintenance
• SHEQ Specialists
• Production Planning & Control

You will have direct leadership responsibility for approximately 4 managers and specialists, with an indirect impact on a workforce of around 100 employees.

What You'll Bring

Experience & Education

• Master's degree in Engineering or equivalent through experience.
• 5- 10 years of experience in a comparable manufacturing leadership role.
• Proven track record in managing large-scale production operations.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, continuous improvement, safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Strategic thinker with strong execution capabilities.
• Inspiring people leader who knows how to engage, coach, and develop teams.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Analytical, data-driven, and solution-oriented.
• Decision-maker with a hands‑on mindset and ownership mentality.
• Passion for continuous improvement and change management.

At Van de Velde Packaging, you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact on our operations, our people, and our future growth. We offer a dynamic manufacturing environment where entrepreneurship, innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do.

Together, we create packaging solutions that make a difference.