Head of Cluster - Supply Chain Operations

DöhlerGroup; Breda; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SVZ seeks a senior operations leader to oversee three production sites in Spain, Poland and Belgium, driving manufacturing, quality, maintenance and logistics with a focus on excellence and cost competitiveness.

The role requires international leadership in a complex matrix, strong collaboration with Demand & Supply Planning and Procurement, and a track record of delivering process improvements and digitalization across the cluster.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management or related field.
• Senior operations or multi-site leadership experience in an international environment.
• Strong understanding of operational supply chain dynamics in process, food or beverage industries (seasonal/agricultural knowledge helpful).
• Proven track record in operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Experience with matrix organizations and cross-cultural leadership.

Responsibilities

• Full operational responsibility for the SVZ cluster (Spain, Poland, Belgium).
• Leadership and development of the Heads of Plant and management teams to foster a high-performance culture.
• Drive performance across production, maintenance, quality, safety and logistics.
• Ensure alignment with Planning and Procurement to secure service performance and inventory transparency.
• Optimize capacity, yield, service levels and overall cost competitiveness.
• Lead harmonization, digitalization and automation initiatives across the cluster.
• Steer capital investments in line with growth ambitions.
• Act as a strategic operations partner within SVZ and Döhler Group matrix organization.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-cultural leadership

Strategic thinking

Execution

Fluent English

ERP familiarity

Education

Master’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

SAP

Job description

Your Future in the World of Fruit & Vegetables

SVZ supplies the world’s leading food and beverage manufacturers with high-quality, sustainable fruit and vegetable ingredients. With production sites across Europe and close partnerships with growers, we combine decades of expertise in natural ingredients with an unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability. Our people are passionate about turning nature’s best into ingredients that inspire healthy and delicious products enjoyed by millions of consumers worldwide.

Let us be part of your future.

Head of Cluster - Supply Chain Operations

International | Leadership | Manufacturing & Operational Excellence

What The Role Is About

As Head of Cluster – Supply Chain Operations, you hold full operational responsibility for three production sites in Spain, Poland and Belgium (±250 permanent employees across the cluster, scaling to 650+ in peak season).

Operating at international cluster level, you are a key member of the SVZ Management Team in Breda. You report to senior SVZ leadership, with a dotted-line into the Döhler matrix organization.

You lead manufacturing, quality, maintenance and logistics across the cluster, driving operational excellence, service performance and cost competitiveness. In close collaboration with Cluster and Regional Demand & Supply Planning as well as Procurement, you contribute to continuous supply chain improvement and actively support digitalization and process harmonization initiatives across the region.

Combining strategic oversight with strong people leadership, this role requires a leader who understands our business and supply chain volatility, engages and mobilizes teams, and drives sustainable performance through clear direction and strong execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Full operational responsibility for the SVZ cluster (Spain, Poland, Belgium).
• Leadership and development of the Heads of Plant and their management teams, building a high-performance culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement.
• Driving performance across production, maintenance, quality, safety and logistics.
• Ensuring strong alignment with Planning and Procurement to secure service performance and inventory transparency.
• Optimizing capacity, yield, service levels and overall cost competitiveness.
• Leading harmonization, digitalization and automation initiatives across the cluster.
• Steering capital investments in line with growth ambitions.
• Acting as a strategic operations partner within SVZ and the Döhler Group matrix organization.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for a senior, internationally experienced operations leader with strong manufacturing depth. You are comfortable in complex, multi-site and matrix environments and combine strategic thinking with pragmatic execution.

You balance short-term operational performance with strategic development and know how to build structure, discipline and transparency without losing agility.

Your profile

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management or related field.
• Proven experience in senior operations or multi-site leadership roles in an international environment.
• Strong understanding of operational supply chain dynamics within process, food or beverage industries (seasonal/agricultural supply chains are a plus).
• Strong track record in operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Experience within matrix organizations and strong cross-cultural leadership capabilities.Experience with ERP systems (e.g. SAP).
• Fluent in English; additional European languages are an advantage.

What We Offer

• A highly strategic executive position within an international and growing organization.
• Direct impact on operational performance and strategic investment decisions.
• A culture that values ownership, sustainability and entrepreneurial thinking.
• Close collaboration with the SVZ Management Team in Breda and colleagues across Europe.
• A dynamic international environment where your leadership makes a visible difference.