Maintenance Operations and Continuous Improvement Manager (Automated Site)

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

Benefits offered by this job

25 vacation days per year

Car lease option

Healthy breakfasts, lunches, snacks at

Doenpensioen pension plan

Laptop and smartphone

Dynamic scale‑up culture with impact

International team and events

Learning and leadership trainings

Job summary

Picnic Technologies in Rotterdam seeks an experienced Continuous Improvement and Operations Manager to own the long‑term direction of maintenance for material handling equipment. You will translate site goals into scalable roadmaps and drive operation-wide improvements in safety, quality and throughput.

You will coach engineers and supervisors, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and embed lean practices to optimize automated workflows and equipment availability.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a technical field or SCM and 3+ years in maintenance or improvement roles.
• Proven Lean, Six Sigma or Kaizen experience in automated environments.
• Strong data analysis capability with tooling experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Maintenance value stream day-to-day and coach teams to meet availability targets.
• Define and execute long-term performance roadmaps across safety, quality, throughput.
• Drive site-wide continuous improvement and optimization using Lean methods.
• Analyze workflows to remove bottlenecks and improve reliability with technical teams.
• Bridge maintenance, suppliers, planning, analysts and operations for end-to-end flow.
• Oversee safety standards, 5S, and best practices without micromanaging daily engineering.

Skills

Leadership

Lean/Kaizen

Data analysis

Cross-functional influence

Automation interest

English fluency

Education

MSc in Supply Chain Management

Engineering background

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