Senior Operations Manager

European Tech Recruit; Bremerhaven; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

European Tech Recruit is partnering with a leading electronics manufacturer in Bremerhaven to hire a Senior Operations Manager. You will assume full strategic and operational responsibility for the Bremerhaven manufacturing site, driving safety, efficiency, cost control, and sustainable growth while leading site modernization and continuous improvement initiatives.

You will manage leadership teams, coordinate cross-functional projects, and ensure compliance with ESG and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Production Engineering, or a related field.
• Extensive leadership experience in manufacturing with a hands-on operational mindset.
• Fluent German (native level) and business English proficiency.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking and data-driven decision making.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence and Change Management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement operational strategy and standard procedures across manufacturing sites.
• Lead S&OP support and capex planning for equipment modernization.
• Drive safety, productivity, cost control, and ESG/sustainability metrics.
• Own KPI development, real-time dashboards, and data integrity across sites.
• Build high-performing teams through coaching, succession planning and development.
• Lead cross-functional projects in process standardization, automation, and operational excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Lean Manufacturing

Change Management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Business Administration/Industrial/Manufacturing

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

ERP systems

Job description

European Tech Recruit are working closely with a leading electronics company, based in Bremerhaven, who are looking for a talented Senior Operations Manager to join their team

Our client is a diversified industrial technology manufacturing company shaping solutions for the safe and efficient transfer of electrical energy.

In this role you will assume full strategic and operational responsibility for their manufacturing site in Bremerhaven. You will ensure that all manufacturing operations are run safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively while continuously developing and strengthening the organization. You will drive operational excellence, digitalization, capacity optimization, and sustainable growth, working closely with global leadership and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities as Senior Operations Manager :

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement operational strategy, objectives, and standard procedures across one or multiple manufacturing sites.
• Support S&OP reviews and build operational setups enabling growth, flexibility, and market-aligned execution.
• Lead capex planning for equipment modernization and lifecycle management.

Operational Execution

• Ensure all facilities operate safely, compliantly, productively, and cost-effectively.
• Drive lean management, continuous improvement, and waste reduction.
• Own productivity improvement, capacity optimization, and performance turnaround initiatives.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and engagement; own real-time dashboard/reporting infrastructure and data integrity.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and cost control for financial discipline.
• Lead new product introduction (NPI) and technology transfer risk assessments, including site transfers (e.g., Kanpur).
• Own energy, emissions, and waste KPIs as part of ESG/sustainability commitments.

People & Culture

• Build, lead, and develop high-performing teams via coaching, succession planning, and talent development.
• Evaluate staffing needs and ensure proper resource planning.
• Champion diversity, inclusion, and engagement initiatives.
• Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.

Risk & Continuity

• Identify operational risks, bottlenecks, and escalation topics; implement corrective actions.
• Organize backup solutions and contingency plans to protect customer deliveries from disruptions or capacity shortages.
• Build, maintain, and execute Business Continuity Plans (BCP) across locations.
• Support audit readiness and compliance with internal/external standards.

Cross-Functional & Customer Engagement

• Partner with senior leadership, finance, quality, supply chain, HR, and plant management to align execution with business goals.
• Act as primary escalation contact for key customer/partner executives on operational issues.
• Lead cross-functional projects in process standardization, automation, and operational excellence

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Production Engineering, or a related field.
• Alternatively, extensive relevant professional experience combined with advanced professional qualifications.
• Several years of leadership and management experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership presence with a proven ability to drive results and build high-performing organizations.
• Fluent German language skills at a native level and business-fluent English proficiency.
• Strong analytical capabilities, strategic thinking, and a business-oriented mindset.
• Structured, self-driven, and results-oriented working style with a strong hands-on mentality.
• Experience in Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and Change Management.
• Experience with AS9101 or AS9100.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with ERP and enterprise resource planning systems.
• High level of accountability, resilience, innovative thinking, and excellent communication skills.

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