Distribution Centre Lead

Picnic; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 vacation days

Car lease

Free meals at Picnic locations

Doenpensioen pension

Laptop & smartphone

Job summary

Picnic is seeking a Distribution Centre Lead to drive high-performance culture across our Dutch sites, including Geldermalsen and others. You will coach leaders, optimize safety, quality and cost, and deliver reliable results through Lean initiatives.

The role requires cross-site leadership, incident management, and close collaboration with HR and external stakeholders. You will lead large multi-shift teams, ensure continuous improvement, and report on KPI-driven outcomes, while promoting an

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in relevant field.
• 6+ years operations experience, including large multi-shift teams.
• Fluent in English and Dutch.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and build high-performing teams.
• Experience driving Lean and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site performance on safety, quality, and cost with KPI focus.
• Build a high-performance, coachable culture and develop leaders.
• Guide Operations Managers and Supervisors to strengthen leadership quality.
• Drive metrics like retention, on-time delivery, capacity, UPH, and standards.
• Manage incidents, planning and external HR/stakeholder relations.

Skills

Leadership

Lean

KPI delivery

Problem solving

Bilingual EN-NL

Education

Bachelor's or Master degree

Job description

As Distribution Centre Lead, your mission is to build a high-performance, customer-first culture by enabling your team and creating a great place to work. You own site performance across safety, quality, and cost, with an driving excellence through 6S standards and Lean programs. By prioritizing leadership coaching and internal team development you deliver sustainable, reliable results that consistently exceed customer expectations.

📍Geldermalsen

Tricks of the trade

• Lead the site: Take responsibility for site performance on a weekly, period, and annual basis, meeting safety, quality, and operational KPIs.
• Build people culture: Create a high-performance environment where teams are supported, motivated, and accountable.
• Develop leaders: Guide and coach Operations Managers and Supervisors to strengthen leadership quality across the site.
• Drive key metrics: Deliver results on retention, perfect deliveries, delivery capacity, UPH, cost, and operational standards.
• Manage incidents and planning: Handle critical incidents, manage escalations, and ensure smooth operational planning and continuity.
• Lead HR and external affairs: Primary contact for the DC People Partner with direct accountability for complex HR cases; work with external stakeholders and authorities as required.

What you'll bring

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in relevant field
• 6+ years operations experience, including large multi-shift teams
• Familiar with fast-paced environment
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and build high-performing teams
• Experience driving Lean and continuous improvement initiatives
• Proven ability to deliver results through KPIs and operational standards
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, managing critical incidents
• Fluent in English and Dutch

Location Flexible: We have sites throughout the Netherlands in the following locations; Utrecht, Eindhoven, Rotterdam, Heerenveen, Zwolle, Nijmegen, and Geldermalsen. We are a fast-paced, growing company and due to this we require location flexibility from our Operations team.

Picnic perks

You'll receive a competitive compensation package, including:

• 25 vacation days per year to recharge your batteries
• The option to lease a car
• You’ll get freshly prepared, healthy breakfast, lunches (and dinner at the FC) as well as delicious snacks and drinks available at all Picnic locations
• A flexible company pension plan called “Doenpensioen” at a.s.r.
• Picnic laptop and smartphone
• An awesome scale-up atmosphere with the freedom to drive your own projects and the opportunity to have an impact!
• The chance to work in an international environment with motivated team members & legendary company events
• Many internal learning and development possibilities as well as professional soft skill & leadership trainings at a specialized external party