Maintenance Operations and Continuous Improvement Manager (Automated Site)

Picnic; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Vacation days 25

Company car

Job summary

Picnic is seeking an experienced Continuous Improvement and Operations Manager for our Maintenance Value Stream in Rotterdam. You’ll own the long-term strategic direction and drive continuous improvement across all material handling equipment, partnering with site leadership and cross-functional teams to translate goals into scalable roadmaps.

You will lead Lean initiatives, data-driven analyses, and high-level KPIs spanning safety, quality, throughput, and efficiency, while fostering a culture

Qualifications

• 3+ years in maintenance, operational strategy, CI or process engineering.
• Strong interest or exposure to automation, robotics, and facility maintenance systems.
• Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma or Kaizen in high-volume automated environments.
• High analytical proficiency with data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Maintenance value stream day-by-day, coaching teams to meet equipment availability targets.
• Define and execute the long-term performance roadmap with KPIs across safety, quality, throughput, and efficiency.
• Lead site-wide Kaizen initiatives and root-cause analyses to drive structural process improvements.
• Analyze complex workflows using data to remove bottlenecks and improve system reliability.
• Bridge maintenance, suppliers, planning, analysts and operations for end-to-end flow.
• Oversee site-wide safety, 5S, and best practices without daily engineering management.

Skills

Lean methodologies

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Data analysis

Education

Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management or Engineering

Tools

Tableau

Excel

SQL

Job description

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

• 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.
• 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.
• Lead site-wide Kaizen initiatives, Lean methodologies, and root-cause analyses to drive structural process enhancements and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
• Analyze complex operational and maintenance workflows using data to eliminate bottlenecks, boost system reliability, and improve equipment availability alongside technical teams.
• Act as the strategic bridge between maintenance, suppliers, planning, analysts, and operations to ensure seamless, end-to-end operational flow.
• 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

• Competitive compensation package, including 25 vacation days per year.
• The option to lease a car.
• Freshly prepared, healthy breakfast, lunches (and dinner at the FC), as well as 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 and legendary company events.
• Many internal learning and development possibilities as well as professional soft skill and leadership trainings at a specialized external party.