Senior Site Director - Arla Esbjerg Dairy

Arla Foods A.m.b.a; Esbjerg; On-site; DKK 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Arla Foods A.m.b.a is seeking a Senior Site Director for Esbjerg Dairy, a large Danish site within Arla's supply chain. You will lead two production sites focusing on value-added products, driving strategic direction, and delivering high performance across SQCDMP metrics.

You will shape the future by advancing digital roadmaps, developing talent, and steering cross-functional initiatives to ensure exceptional product quality and customer service.

Qualifications

• Masters-level engineering degree with broad manufacturing experience.
• Proven leadership at a large-scale site with strong results.
• Experience in continuous improvement and capital investments.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production and improve site performance to meet customer expectations.
• Drive digital transformation and data-driven decision making.
• Develop talent and set long-term site direction aligned with strategy.
• Oversee cross-functional projects and ensure execution of business plans.
• Maintain emphasis on safety, quality, cost, delivery, motivation, and sustainability.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational excellence

Digital transformation

Lean Six Sigma

Stakeholder management

Education

Master's degree in engineering

Tools

Data analytics platforms

Automation technologies

Job description

Are you an experienced senior leader ready to make a real impact on both people and business? Do you have the ability to lead a large-scale operation while driving digital transformation and building the capabilities needed for the future – all with safety and quality at the core?

As Senior Site Director at Esbjerg Dairy, you will take the lead at one of Denmark’s largest dairy sites and an important part of Arla’s Danish supply chain.

Operating across two production sites, Esbjerg specialises in value-added, long-life products and is home to iconic brands such as Starbucks Ready-to-Drink and Cocio, serving customers in Denmark and international markets.

How you will make an impact

As Senior Site Director at Esbjerg Dairy, you will lead daily production and continuously improve the site’s performance to meet customer expectations, with health and safety always the top priority.

Beyond daily operations, you will shape Esbjerg’s future by driving digital transformation, developing talent, and setting the site’s long-term direction in line with Arla’s strategy. You will put people first while ensuring outstanding product quality, efficient operations, and excellent customer service.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Denmark in Supply Chain, you will contribute at both strategic and tactical levels. Together with the leadership team, you will drive cross-functional projects and ensure successful execution of Esbjerg’s business plans.

Your key responsibilities include

• Site leadership and performance Leading the dairy and enabling team success across Arla’s SQCDMP performance framework (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery Accuracy, Motivation, Planet)
• Strategic direction and planning Developing and owning the Factory Strategic Plan (FSP), setting a clear direction for the site and assessing and mitigating risks across the value chain, including crisis and continuity planning
• Leadership and team development Leading a team of skilled leaders and driving succession planning to build future leadership capability
• Digital transformation and innovation Leading Esbjerg’s digital roadmap and implementing solutions such as AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making to improve efficiency and innovation
• Financial and operational excellence Ensuring full visibility of end-to-end product economics and implementing cost-efficient measures

What will make you successful

You are an experienced and visible senior leader who sets a clear direction, brings people with you, and combines strategic thinking with a strong focus on operational performance and future capability building. Besides this, we imagine that you bring

• A relevant master’s-level degree in engineering or a similar field of study, combined with broad manufacturing experience, preferably within food or dairy
• Senior leadership experience from a large-scale production site in a global organization, with strong results in operational excellence, growth, and site transformation
• A strong track record of building the capabilities needed for future operations and leading complex production environments
• Proven experience in continuous improvement methodologies such as LEAN or Six Sigma, as well as executing CAPEX investments
• Strong financial and strategic capabilities, combined with experience in talent development, succession planning, and building leadership pipelines
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and demonstrated success in navigating a matrix organization

You are fluent in English and a Scandinavian language, preferably Danish.

What do we offer?

This is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of a large, complex dairy site with a strong portfolio of well-known brands. You will have the mandate and senior-level exposure to turn strategy into tangible results, supported by an experienced leadership team and a broad network of specialists across Arla.

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.

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