Maintenance Operations and Continuous Improvement Manager (Automated Site)

Picnic; Ridderkerk; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

25 vacation days

Car lease

Healthy meals at FC

Pension plan: Doenpensioen

Laptop & smartphone

Growth and impact

International environment

Learning & development

Nationwide locations

Job summary

Picnic in Ridderkerk seeks an experienced Continuous Improvement and Operations Manager to own the long-term direction of all material handling equipment. You will work with site leadership and cross-functional teams to translate goals into scalable roadmaps, optimizing automated workflows and driving operational excellence.

The role requires a MSc in a technical field and 3+ years in maintenance/operational strategy with a passion for automation, data analytics, and Lean/Six Sigma methods.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or related technical field.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Maintenance value stream day-to-day and coach Maintenance Engineers and Supervisors.
• Define and execute the long-term performance roadmap with KPIs across safety, quality, throughput, and efficiency.
• Lead Kaizen initiatives, Lean methodologies, and root-cause analyses to drive process improvements.
• Analyze complex workflows with data to remove bottlenecks and improve equipment availability with technical teams.
• Bridge maintenance, suppliers, planning, analysts, and operations to ensure seamless end-to-end flow.
• Oversee safety standards, 5S, and best practices across site operations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Lean methodologies

Data analysis

English fluency

Dutch language (plus)

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Supply Chain Management or Engineering

Tools

Tableau

Excel

SQL

Job description

In a nutshell

At Picnic, we run some of Europe’s most advanced automated grocery fulfilment centres, combining robotics, smart software, and a people-first culture. As Continuous Improvement and Operations Manager in our Maintenance Value Stream, you own the long-term strategic direction and continuous improvement of all material handling equipment on site. Working closely with the Site Manager, cross-functional engineering teams, and operational leaders, you translate high-level site goals into scalable improvement roadmaps, optimizing automated workflows while fostering operational excellence.

What you'll do

• Hands-on leadership: Lead the Maintenance value stream day-by-day, coaching Maintenance Engineers and Supervisors to effectively lead their teams and ensuring equipment availability targets are met with indirect leadership.
• Strategic Value Stream Ownership: Define and execute the long-term performance roadmap, taking full ownership of structural strategy and high-level KPIs across safety, quality, throughput, and operational efficiency.
• Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence: Lead site-wide Kaizen initiatives, Lean methodologies, and root-cause analyses to drive structural process enhancements and embed a culture of continuous improvement. Data-Driven Process &
• Automation Optimization: Analyze complex operational and maintenance workflows using data to eliminate bottlenecks, boost system reliability, and improve equipment availability alongside technical teams.
• Cross-Functional Strategic Alignment: Act as the strategic bridge between maintenance, our suppliers, planning, analysts, and operations to ensure seamless, end-to-end operational flow.
• Operational Standards & Governance: Oversee site-wide adherence to safety standards, 5S principles, and operational best practices without getting bogged down in daily engineering management.

What you bring

• Master’s degree (MSc) in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience focused on maintenance, operational strategy, continuous improvement, or process engineering.
• Strong interest in, or exposure to, automation, robotics, and facility maintenance systems.
• Proven track record in applying Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen frameworks in high-volume, automated environments.
• High analytical proficiency, with strong capability in data analysis tools (e.g., Tableau, Excel, SQL).
• Strategic mindset with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive high-level initiatives.
• Fluency in English (Dutch is a strong plus).

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

• We have Fulfilment Centres across The Netherlands in the following locations: Utrecht, Ridderkerk, Berkel en Rodenrijs, Dordrecht, Eindhoven, Zwolle, Heerenveen, Geldermalsen