Operation Director - Rail Sector

W Executive; Italia; In loco; EUR 80.000 - 120.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

A leading industrial company in Italy is seeking an Operations Director to oversee performance at a mid-sized production plant. This role involves managing production, quality, and supply chain functions, implementing operational strategies for growth, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Candidates should possess an engineering degree and have over 10 years of experience in regulated sectors such as rail or aerospace.

Servizi

Variable Bonus based on MBO

Company car

Private health insurance

Laptop and phone

Meal vouchers or company canteen

Relocation support if applicable

Competenze

• At least 10 years in increasingly senior operational roles within rail, aerospace, or regulated sectors.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and foster high-performance culture.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and digital production systems.

Mansioni

• Oversee plant activities ensuring safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency.
• Drive adoption of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Define and manage the plant's operational budget.

Conoscenze

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement Tools

Digital Production Systems

Technical Skills

Leadership

Decisive

Strategically Minded

Results Driven

Resilient

Fluent in English

Formazione

Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or Management)

MBA or Postgraduate Degree in Operations

Descrizione del lavoro

Our client is a leading industrial company operating in the railway sector , renowned for its technical excellence, innovative production processes, and commitment to sustainability. Operating in a highly regulated environment, the company is undergoing a strategic transformation aimed at enhancing its competitive position both nationally and internationally.

To support this growth and industrial evolution, we are seeking a highly qualified Operation Director with proven experience in managing complex production environments, ideally gained within the railway , aerospace , or advanced manufacturing sectors. This strategic role will lead the company’s operations toward increased efficiency, quality, and innovation.

Role Description

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) , the Operation Director will have full responsibility for the performance of a mid-sized production plant, overseeing production, quality, maintenance, supply chain, and safety functions.

The successful candidate will play a key role in defining and implementing operational transformation strategies to support business growth, ensure compliance with railway industry regulations, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and industrial excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all plant activities, ensuring safety, quality, productivity, efficiency, and cost targets are met.
• Ensure compliance with technical and regulatory standards (e.g. IRIS, ISO, ECM) applicable to the railway industry.
• Monitor key performance indicators (OEE, scrap rate, lead time, etc.) and implement corrective / improvement actions.

Team Leadership and Organizational Development

• Lead and motivate production teams through a structured middle management layer.
• Collaborate with the HR Department to define training needs, succession plans, and professional development paths.
• Promote a safety-first culture focused on operational problem-solving and accountability.

Continuous Improvement and Process Innovation

• Drive the adoption of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to optimize workflows, reduce waste, and enhance production flexibility.
• Introduce enabling technologies to support digital transformation (e.g. predictive maintenance, data traceability, automation).
• Oversee Capex projects including equipment upgrades and new production lines.

Quality and Safety Management

• Partner with Quality and HSE departments to ensure full implementation of certified management systems.
• Continuously monitor quality indicators and manage non-conformities with timely corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with workplace safety and environmental regulations.

Strategic Planning and Financial Oversight

• Define and manage the plant’s operational budget, optimizing resources, costs, and timelines.
• Support long-term industrial planning and production capacity expansion initiatives.
• Contribute to the executive leadership team and participate in strategic business decisions.

Cross-functional and External Stakeholder Relations

• Work closely with Commercial and Technical departments to align production capacity with market demands.
• Build and maintain relationships with key suppliers, certification bodies, and strategic customers.
• Take part in technical committees and cross-functional teams to streamline the overall industrial cycle.

Candidate Profile

• Education : Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or Management); an MBA or postgraduate degree in operations is a plus.
• Experience : At least 10 years in increasingly senior operational roles within rail , aerospace , or similarly regulated industrial sectors.
• Leadership : Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and foster a high-performance culture.
• Technical skills : Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement tools, and digital production systems (MES, ERP, etc.).
• Soft skills : Decisive, strategically minded, results-driven, and resilient.
• Languages : Fluent in English; knowledge of Italian is a plus for non-native speakers.

Offer

• Variable Bonus : Based on MBO (Management by Objectives), according to company policy
• Benefits : Company car, private health insurance, laptop, phone, meal vouchers or company canteen, relocation support if applicable