Director, Plant Leader - Europlant

SC Johnson GmbH; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SC Johnson GmbH is seeking a Plant Director for Europlant in the Netherlands. You will lead site governance, safety, quality, and financial performance while coordinating multiple functions to achieve production goals.

The role requires developing operational strategies, KPIs, and ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards. You will manage staff, drive Lean and TPM practices, and collaborate with Works Council to sustain world-class manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemistry, Operations Management, or related field (MBA preferred).
• 10+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, FMCG preferred.
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking in complex matrix organizations.
• Proven ability to lead, influence, and motivate cross-functional teams.
• Strong project and change management skills to deliver results and drive improvements.
• Experience leading large-scale operational and organizational transformation in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Act as accountable site leader for legal entities, ensure compliance and license to operate.
• Lead manufacturing organization to deliver safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost targets.
• Optimize use of assets and resources to maximize efficiency and profitability.
• Drive continuous improvement and introduce new products, technologies, and processes.
• Lead and coach a cross-functional leadership team and influence stakeholders within a matrix.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional teams

Project management

Change management

Continuous improvement

Education

Master's degree in Engineering/related field

MBA preferred

Job description

SC Johnson has been leading with purpose for 140 years, building high-quality products and iconic brands found in homes, schools and businesses in virtually every country worldwide - including OFF!®, Raid®, Glade®, Windex®, Scrubbing Bubbles®, Ziploc®, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day®, method®, Autan®, Baygon®, Mr Muscle®, Duck®, Lysoform® and more. The 13,000 people of our global, fifth-generation family company are committed to making the world a better place today and for future generations.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Plant Director, you are responsible for ensuring that Europlant meets its production goals, quality standards, safety regulations, and budget constraints. You lead and coordinate the activities of multiple functions to ensure resources are allocated effectively and business objectives are achieved. You will develop and implement operational strategies and policies for Europlant, setting and monitoring key performance indicators and operational metrics, analyzing and optimizing production processes and workflows, managing and resolving operational issues and risks, hiring, training, motivating, and evaluating plant staff, ensuring compliance with environmental, health, and safety standards and regulations, implementing and maintaining quality management systems and certifications, collaborating and negotiating with the Works Council, as well as reporting and presenting operational results and recommendations to senior management.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. 1. Site Leadership, Governance & Compliance Act as the accountable site leader for all legal entities operating on-site, ensuring compliance with legal, environmental, health safety, and regulatory requirements. Maintain the site's license to operate, including all permits, environmental obligations, and SHE standards. Foster and maintain effective relationships with employee representative bodies, including the Works Council, and effectively manage matters relating to the legal entity. Drive a strong Safety and Quality culture and ensure compliance with all company policies, standards, and regulatory requirements.
2. 2. Manufacturing & Operational Excellence Lead the manufacturing organization to deliver best-in-class performance in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and employee engagement. Ensure achievement of production, service, quality, and financial targets through effective operational management and resource utilization. Monitor performance, identify risks and opportunities, and implement corrective actions to deliver sustainable results. Foster a culture of Lean Manufacturing, Zero Loss, and World Class Manufacturing (TPM) principles across the site. Successfully lead within a matrixed and centralized organization, ensuring effective collaboration and alignment across regional, global, and functional teams.
3. 3. Financial & Resource Management Optimize the utilization of manufacturing assets, raw materials, packaging components, and operational resources to maximize efficiency and profitability. Manage manufacturing operating expenses and capital investments to achieve financial objectives and support long-term site development. Ensure effective resource allocation to support operational priorities and business growth.
4. 4. Continuous Improvement & Innovation Ensure industry best practices, Standard Daily Work methodologies, and operational excellence principles are embedded throughout the organization. Provide the leadership and resources required for the successful introduction of new products, technologies, and processes. Lead significant operational and organizational transformation initiatives, driving continuous improvement and building capabilities to enhance performance and support future growth.
5. 5. People Leadership & Organizational Development Lead, develop, and coach a high-performing cross-functional leadership team across Operations, SHE, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and other critical business functions. Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement, and employee engagement. Develop organizational capability through talent management, succession planning, coaching, performance management, and leadership development. Build strong partnerships across regional and global functions and successfully influence stakeholders within a matrix environment to achieve business objectives.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemistry, Operations Management, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment; FMCG experience preferred.
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking, with experience leading within complex matrix organizations.
• Proven ability to lead, influence, and motivate cross-functional teams in a dynamic environment.
• Strong project and change management skills, with the ability to deliver results, drive performance improvements, and successfully implement business initiatives.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale operational, organizational, and cultural transformation within a manufacturing environment.
• Outstanding business and operational leadership capabilities, including continuous improvement expertise and a track record of enhancing productivity, reliability, and organizational performance.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of the Seveso legislation and directive
• Knowledge of the (content) the Major Accident Prevention Policy (PBZO) document

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Full time job Based in Mijdrecht, Netherlands. On-site role (remote work not available).
• Ability to travel occasionally as required.
• This role is open to domestic relocation.

INCLUSION & Diversity

We're a global business, with people from every culture, ethnicity, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and ability. We recognize the breadth of human experience, and we work to celebrate it. It is our goal to build a diverse, inclusive, and supportive work environment where all people can thrive. We're committed to ongoing efforts that help us attract, hire, and retain diverse talent who want to build a positive, inclusive environment. Read more about our ongoing initiatives at https://jobs.scjohnson.com/inclusion.

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SC Johnson has been leading with purpose for 140 years, building high-quality products and iconic brands found in homes, schools and businesses in virtually every country worldwide - including OFF!®, Raid®, Glade®, Windex®, Scrubbing Bubbles®, Ziploc®, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day®, method®, Autan®, Baygon®, Mr Muscle®, Duck®, Lysoform® and more. The 13,000 people of our global, fifth-generation family company are committed to making the world a better place today and for future generations.