Focus Improvement Manager

Mars; Veghel; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars is seeking a focused Improvement Manager in the Netherlands to lead FI journey, drive loss elimination, and elevate site performance across manufacturing operations. You will partner with regional and global teams to shape the site’s strategic improvement roadmap and Champion the MSE framework.

You will guide cross-functional teams through Lean, Six Sigma, EDPS, and BDE methodologies, while ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and environmental standards. Fluency in English is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing experience in Production, Engineering, Quality, Continuous Improvement, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of people leadership and management experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, or Plant Optimization methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to translate data into actionable improvement plans.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
• Experience with Six Sigma methodologies and structured problem-solving tools.
• Strong expertise in Industrial Engineering and capacity planning.
• Experience leading cross-functional transformation initiatives in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of Supply Chain planning processes, including S&OP and long-term capacity planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Focused Improvement (FI) and Education & Training (E&T) pillars within the Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) framework.
• Coordinate and coach pillar leaders and cross-functional teams to ensure successful MSE deployment and capability building.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, loss elimination, and operational excellence across the site.
• Identify, analyze, and eliminate losses linked to the site’s Compelling Business Need (CBN).
• Lead Value Leadership Strategy (VLS) initiatives and manage the improvement project pipeline to deliver measurable business results.
• Facilitate structured loss analysis and prioritize opportunities that improve cost, service, quality, safety, and productivity.
• Partner with operators, team leaders, and functional experts to solve chronic and sporadic losses through data-driven problem solving.
• Lead and coach teams in structured methodologies including EDPS, BDE, Lean and Six Sigma approaches.
• Support asset reliability improvement, standard work deployment, and Asset Health Check (AHC) processes.
• Own and deploy the Site Masterplan in partnership with Global Industrial Engineering teams.
• Facilitate the Long-Term Supply Chain Master Review (L-SCMR) process and create a structured 24+ month outlook covering cost, cash, service, and capacity requirements.
• Drive site capacity planning, manufacturing standards, and operational performance reporting.
• Oversee Product, Process & Packaging Implementation (PPPI) activities and ensure successful transition of new products and processes into operations.
• Represent the site and region in innovation, productivity, and cost optimization forums.
• Define and deploy the site’s 3-year training and capability-building strategy as E&T pillar lead.
• Develop and engage associates across Industrial Engineering, Continuous Improvement, Focused Improvement, and PPPI teams.
• Own the site’s CAB process, FAA tracking, and project approval governance.
• Ensure compliance with Mars standards, MSE requirements, and integrated management systems covering Quality, Food Safety, Safety, and Environmental performance.
• Support annual operating planning and strategic business planning processes.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

English fluency

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering/Industrial Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations Management

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

Job description

Job Description:

Segment: Food & Nutrition

Location : Oud-Beijerland

Contract type: Full-time, permanent

At Mars Food & Nutrition, we’re transforming the way we produce trusted brands that millions of consumers enjoy every day.

We’re looking for a passionate and driven Focused Improvement Manager to help accelerate our manufacturing excellence journey and build a culture where continuous improvement thrives.

As a key member of the Site Leadership Team, you will lead the site’s Focused Improvement agenda, driving loss elimination, operational excellence, and strategic capability development through Mars Supply Excellence (MSE). Working across functions, you will identify opportunities, unlock performance, and ensure sustainable improvements that support our Compelling Business Need (CBN) and long-term growth ambitions.

This is a highly visible leadership role where you will partner with regional and global stakeholders, influence strategic decisions, and help shape the future of our manufacturing operations within the Food & Nutrition segment.

What will be your key responsibilities?

Lead the Site’s Focused Improvement Journey

• Lead the Focused Improvement (FI) and Education & Training (E&T) pillars within the Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) framework.
• Coordinate and coach pillar leaders and cross-functional teams to ensure successful MSE deployment and capability building.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, loss elimination, and operational excellence across the site.

Deliver Strategic Business Performance

• Identify, analyze, and eliminate losses linked to the site’s Compelling Business Need (CBN).
• Lead Value Leadership Strategy (VLS) initiatives and manage the improvement project pipeline to deliver measurable business results.
• Facilitate structured loss analysis and prioritize opportunities that improve cost, service, quality, safety, and productivity.

Drive Operational Excellence

• Partner with operators, team leaders, and functional experts to solve chronic and sporadic losses through data-driven problem solving.
• Lead and coach teams in structured methodologies including EDPS, BDE, Lean and Six Sigma approaches.
• Support asset reliability improvement, standard work deployment, and Asset Health Check (AHC) processes.

Shape the Future of the Site

• Own and deploy the Site Masterplan in partnership with Global Industrial Engineering teams.
• Facilitate the Long-Term Supply Chain Master Review (L-SCMR) process and create a structured 24+ month outlook covering cost, cash, service, and capacity requirements.
• Drive site capacity planning, manufacturing standards, and operational performance reporting.

Lead Innovation & Capability Development

• Oversee Product, Process & Packaging Implementation (PPPI) activities and ensure successful transition of new products and processes into operations.
• Represent the site and region in innovation, productivity, and cost optimization forums.
• Define and deploy the site’s 3-year training and capability-building strategy as E&T pillar lead.
• Develop and engage associates across Industrial Engineering, Continuous Improvement, Focused Improvement, and PPPI teams.

Ensure Compliance & Governance

• Own the site’s CAB process, FAA tracking, and project approval governance.
• Ensure compliance with Mars standards, MSE requirements, and integrated management systems covering Quality, Food Safety, Safety, and Environmental performance.
• Support annual operating planning and strategic business planning processes.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing experience in Production, Engineering, Quality, Continuous Improvement, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of people leadership and management experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, or Plant Optimization methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to translate data into actionable improvement plans.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
• Experience with Six Sigma methodologies and structured problem-solving tools.
• Strong expertise in Industrial Engineering and capacity planning.
• Experience leading cross-functional transformation initiatives in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of Supply Chain planning processes, including S&OP and long-term capacity planning.

What can you expect from Mars?

• The opportunity to make a real impact in a global business with iconic brands.
• A collaborative environment where your ideas, expertise, and leadership will be valued.
• Access to world-class learning and development opportunities.
• Cross-functional and international career growth possibilities.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• The chance to work with talented Associates who are committed to making a better world tomorrow.