Maintenance Operations and Continuous Improvement Manager (Automated Site)

teampicnic; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

25 vacation days

Car lease option

Meals at facilities

Doenpensioen pension

Laptop + phone

Scale-up atmosphere

International team

Job summary

Picnic is seeking an experienced Maintenance Value Stream Manager to own the long-term strategy for on-site material handling equipment. You will lead the maintenance teams, partner with cross-functional engineering and operations, and translate site goals into scalable improvement roadmaps.

The role emphasizes Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen, data-driven optimization, and a culture of continuous improvement, with a focus on safety, quality, throughput, and reliability.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a technical field required.
• 3+ years in maintenance, ops strategy, or process engineering.
• Interest in automation, robotics, and facility maintenance systems.
• Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen.
• Strong data-analysis skills (Tableau, Excel, SQL).
• Strategic mindset and cross-functional influence.
• Fluency in English; Dutch is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Maintenance value stream day-to-day and coach teams.
• Define and execute the long-term performance roadmap.
• Lead Kaizen, Lean, and root-cause analyses.
• Analyze workflows to remove bottlenecks and improve reliability.
• Coordinate with maintenance, suppliers, planning, analysts, and operations.
• Ensure safety standards and 5S across site.

Skills

Maintenance leadership

Operational strategy

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

English fluency

Education

MSc 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

Locations

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