Manager, ISOL Production

dsm-firmenich; Leeuwarden; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

STI bonus

MyChoice budget

Pension scheme

Stock option plan

Job summary

dsm-firmenich in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, seeks a Production Manager to lead both ISOL plants. You will develop and implement the manufacturing plan, structure the site organization, and partner with the Site Management Team to drive safe, high-quality operations and sustainable growth.

You bring a BSc in a relevant field, at least five years of production management experience, and proven SHE/Q and continuous improvement expertise.

Qualifications

• Min BSc educated in a relevant field (like food technology, process technology, industrial engineering).
• Min 5-year managerial experience in a production plant environment, preferable in food or pharma.
• Proven experience with relevant operational SHE and Q best practices and industry standards (like PtW, LOTOTO, GMP+).
• LSS GB or BB and proven experience in driving improvement projects to a success.
• Dutch and English professional literacy.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and realize the manufacturing plan and develop, structure, and manage the plant organization in line with relevant dsm-firmenich guidelines and requirements.
• Act as role model and ensure adherence to strict SHE and Q procedures to ensure a safe and hygienic workplace.
• Attract, lead, coach, appraise and develop your team of team leaders and production coordinator (3) and indirect reports operators (~35).
• Manage plant operations (daily cycle) and production planning, in line with the plant manufacturing plan, requirements and budget.
• Encourage a continuous improvement mindset and learning culture within the teams.
• Maintain plant capacity models and act as co-owner of the OEE process.
• As a member of the Site Management Team you will define and execute our year and multi-year plans; you will take shared responsibility of the overall performance of the site with the MT.
• Be a member of the site calamity team with periodic on-call duty

Skills

People management

Decisive

Result oriented

Dutch language

English language

SHE and Q compliance

Education

BSc in a relevant field (food tech / process tech / industrial engineering)

Job description

Job title – Manager, ISOL Production

Location – Leeuwarden, The Netherlands

We are looking for an enthusiastic, decisive and highly motivated Production Manager to lead both manufacturing plants at our Leeuwarden site and to strengthen our Site Management Team. As one of our key production locations of our Ingredient Solutions (ISOL) business, the site manufactures a broad portfolio of dairy cultures, cheese coatings, and other dairy ingredients and additives, serving customers around the world. We are proud of our strong culture of safety, high quality, operational excellence and continuous improvement. Supported by a committed team, the site is on an ambitious growth journey and has recently expanded its shift structures and operational windows to support increasing demand and prepare for the next phase of sustainable growth.

Your key responsibilities

In this position you are responsible for developing, implementing, and realizing the manufacturing plan and develop, structure, and manage the plant organization in line with relevant dsm-firmenich guidelines and requirements.

• Act as role model and ensure adherence to strict SHE and Q procedures to ensure a safe and hygienic workplace.
• Attract, lead, coach, appraise and develop your team of team leaders and production coordinator (3) and indirect reports operators (~35), in line with company guidelines and instruments;
• Manage plant operations (daily cycle) and production planning, in line with the plant manufacturing plan, requirements and budget.
• Encourage a continuous improvement mindset and learning culture within the teams.
• Maintain plant capacity models and act as co-owner of the OEE process.
• As a member of the Site Management Team you will define and execute our year and multi-year plans; you will take shared responsibility of the overall performance of the site with the MT.
• Be a member of the site calamity team with periodic on-call duty

We offer

We offer a dynamic function with space for ideas and initiatives within an enthusiastic team. The salary is in accordance with the weight of the function. In addition, dsm-firmenich is offering a good package of additional conditions including a STI bonus plan, MyChoice budget, pension scheme and stock option plan. Within our international company we invest in our people and provide ample opportunities to grow and to progress your career.

• A Purpose-Driven Mission - Be part of an organization where sustainability is more than a goal—it’s embedded in our strategy and daily practices, empowering you to make a real impact on the world around you.
• Flexibility with Ownership - Thrive in a flexible work environment that encourages you to take ownership, drive accountability, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• A Legacy of Innovation - Join a company with a rich history of scientific breakthroughs and a future full of opportunities to co-create with our customers.
• Room to Grow - Develop your potential in a culture that values curiosity and supports continuous personal and professional growth.
• Well-Being at the Core - Work in an environment where safety and well-being—both physical and mental—are prioritized and genuinely cared for.
• A Truly Inclusive Culture - Belong to a community where everyone is valued and respected, regardless of background, beliefs, or identity. Diversity is not just welcomed, it’s celebrated.

You bring

For this interesting job we are looking for a person who is a people manager, decisive, result oriented and able to look ahead.

• Min BSc educated in a relevant field (like food technology, process technology, industrial engineering).
• Min 5-year managerial experience in a production plant environment, preferable in food or pharma.
• Proven experience with relevant operational SHE and Q best practices and industry standards (like PtW, LOTOTO, GMP+).
• LSS GB or BB and proven experience in driving improvement projects to a success.
• Dutch and English professional literacy.

About dsm-firmenich

At dsm-firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations – we go beyond them. Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.

From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.

And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They’re essential to our future.

Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.

Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement

At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.

Agency Statement

We’re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.