Manager Operations Innovation & Development

Lyncwise Executive Search; Hoofddorp; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Container Centralen in Hoofddorp, Netherlands seeks a Manager Operations Innovation & Development to shape the future operating model. You will lead a team, drive operational innovation, and embed improvements across the European network, working with IT, Finance, Legal and external partners to deliver scalable, data-driven solutions.

You will identify opportunities, translate them into scalable processes, and ensure adoption across day-to-day operations, contributing to new propositions and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in operations, supply chain, operational excellence, consulting or transformation within a multi-site environment.
• Proven experience leading complex operational improvement and transformation programmes from design through implementation.
• Experience working with IT on system implementations, product ownership or operational digitalisation.
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience translating operational data into practical business improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of four direct reports and build the operational innovation and continuous improvement capability across the European operations network.
• Identify structural improvement opportunities and translate them into scalable processes and technologies.
• Ensure improvements are embedded in day-to-day operations.
• Collaborate with Operations, Availability, Commercial, Business Development, IT, Finance & Control, Legal and external partners to combine operational excellence, digitalisation and performance management.
• Contribute to development of new propositions and business cases, translating commercial opportunities into scalable and feasible solutions.
• Lead implementation and ensure sustainable adoption across the business.
• Shape Container Centralen's future operating model.

Skills

Leadership experience

Operational excellence

Transformation programmes

IT collaboration

Data-driven improvements

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration or related discipline

Tools

IT systems collaboration

Product ownership

Job description

The Manager Operations Innovation & Development plays a central role in shaping Container Centralen's future operating model.

Reporting directly to the COO, you will lead a team of four direct reports and build the operational innovation and continuous improvement capability across the European operations network. You identify structural improvement opportunities, translate them into scalable processes and technologies, and ensure these improvements become embedded in day-to-day operations.

Working closely with Operations, Availability, Commercial, Business Development, IT, Finance & Control, Legal and external partners, you combine operational excellence, digitalisation and performance management to create a more predictable, scalable and data-driven operation. You actively contribute to the development of new propositions and business cases, translating commercial opportunities into scalable and operationally feasible solutions.

This role combines strategy and execution. You identify opportunities for improvement, lead implementation and ensure sustainable adoption across the business. As a driving force behind innovation, continuous improvement and digitalisation, you help shape Container Centralen's future operating model.

Personal profile

Education and experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration or a related discipline
• 10+ years of experience in operations, supply chain, operational excellence, consulting or transformation within a multi-site environment
• Proven experience leading complex operational improvement and transformation programmes from design through implementation
• Experience across strategic, consulting and operational roles, with a proven ability to translate improvement initiatives into sustainable operational results
• Experience working closely with IT on system implementations, product ownership or operational digitalisation
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience translating operational data into practical business improvements

Container Centralen

Container Centralen (CC) contributes to a more sustainable future through its smart pooling system and reusable transport items (RTIs) for the efficient transport of plants and flowers across Europe. Since its foundation in 1977, the company has grown into the European market leader in reusable transport packaging for the horticultural industry. Every day, millions of plants and flowers are transported using CC's standardized containers, connecting growers, wholesalers, retailers and logistics partners through one integrated European network.

Today, Container Centralen generates annual revenues of approximately €65 million and employs around 75 people across Europe. The company operates an extensive network of approximately fifty depot locations, supported by repair partners and logistics providers throughout Europe. The company is headquartered in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands. The Management Team consists of the CEO, COO, CCO and CFO.

Circularity and reuse have been at the heart of CC's business model for almost fifty years. As European legislation increasingly promotes reusable packaging solutions, Container Centralen is well positioned to further strengthen its market-leading role.

Following a long period of operational stability, the company has entered a new phase of growth and transformation. Supported by a new Management Team, Container Centralen is investing in technology, operational excellence and organisational development to build a more scalable European business and strengthen its market-leading position.

Operations plays a central role in this transformation. A new Operations Leadership Team is being established, reporting directly to the COO, consisting of the existing Manager Availability & S&OP and three new positions: Manager Depot & Transport, Manager Repair & Quality and Manager Operations Innovation & Development. Together, they will build a more integrated and continuously improving Operations organisation and provide the operational foundation for CC’s next phase of growth.

For more information please visit: https://container-centralen.com