Director of Operations Europe

ASSA ABLOY Group; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

ASSA ABLOY Group is seeking a high-level Head of Operations Europe BSP to lead our European manufacturing footprint. You will drive operational excellence, oversee five sites, and partner with cross-functional leaders to translate strategy into sustainable profit improvements.

Travel 40-60% as needed to align with regional goals. You will shape future operations across the region, develop Plant Managers, champion Lean initiatives, and ensure safe, compliant and high-quality performance while

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in manufacturing or engineering-driven environments.
• Proven track record leading multi-site operations in international settings.
• Strong experience in Lean Manufacturing and operational transformation.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational strategy across five European manufacturing sites.
• Drive safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity and working capital improvements.
• Coach Plant Managers and strengthen leadership capability and succession planning.
• Champion Lean and continuous improvement across the region.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and manage capital investment initiatives.
• Collaborate with commercial and supply chain teams to improve service levels.

Skills

Leadership

Multi-site ops

Lean Manufacturing

Operational excellence

Change management

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Cross-cultural collaboration

Financial acumen

Education

Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations/Business degree

Job description

We are seeking an accomplished Head of Operations Europe BSP to lead and further develop our European manufacturing footprint. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for driving operational excellence and business performance across five manufacturing sites, while shaping the future of our operations in one of ASSA ABLOY's most important business segments.

ASSA ABLOY is the global leader in access solutions, with 65,000 employees operating in more than 70 countries. The Business Segment Pedestrian (BSP) is a core part of our largest Division Entrance Systems, bringing together Sliding Doors, Swing Doors, Security Entrance Control & Revolving Doors, and Airtight Doors. With approximately 7,000 employees (4000 Europe) and annual revenues of €1.5 billion, BSP is the division's second-largest business segment and plays a critical role in delivering innovative access solutions worldwide.

As Head of Operations Europe, you will define and execute the operational agenda across the region, driving improvements in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and profitability. Working closely with commercial, supply chain, engineering, finance, and HR leaders, you will translate strategy into sustainable business results and strengthen the performance of our manufacturing network. The operations footprint in Europe comprises around 500 FTEs.

Location: At one of the Manufacturing sites - Czech Republic (preferred), France, the Netherlands, the UK, Switzerland.

Reporting to: Vice President Operations & Supply Chain

Travel: Approximately 40-60%

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute the operational strategy across five manufacturing sites in Europe.
• Drive performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and working capital.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, customer focus, and operational excellence.
• Lead, coach, and develop Plant Managers while strengthening leadership capability and succession planning.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across the region.
• Optimize manufacturing processes, capacity utilization, and cross-site collaboration.
• Establish and embed best practices, performance standards, and operational governance.
• Partner with commercial and supply chain teams to enhance service levels and customer satisfaction.
• Lead capital investment initiatives and operational transformation programs.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards, and company policies.
• As an acquisition-driven organization, our manufacturing footprint is expected to expand through future acquisitions.

Your Profile

You are a proven manufacturing leader with a strong track record of delivering results through others. You combine strategic thinking with operational rigor and are comfortable leading geographically dispersed teams in a complex international environment. You know how to create alignment, build high-performing teams, and drive change across multiple sites and cultures.

You bring:

• Extensive leadership experience within manufacturing, industrial operations, or engineering-driven environments.
• Demonstrated success leading multi-site operations in an international setting.
• Strong experience in Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and business transformation.
• A track record of improving operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity metrics.
• Experience in made-to-order, high-variant manufacturing environments, with a strong understanding of configurable products, production complexity, and project execution.
• Solid commercial and financial acumen, including investment planning and capital allocation.
• The ability to develop leaders, build accountability, and create high-performing teams.
• Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience working across European markets and cultures.
• Fluency in English; additional European languages are an advantage.
• A degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or a related discipline.

no later than 11th of October

We are the ASSA ABLOY Group

Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 65,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces - physical and virtual - safer, more secure, and easier to access.

As an employer, we value results - not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions - supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.

As we welcome new people on board, it's important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.