Managing Director of OPPLE Europe

OPPLE Lighting Europe; Eindhoven; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global lighting company is seeking a Managing Director to spearhead its European operations. This role offers an opportunity to define and execute strategic growth initiatives across multiple countries. The ideal candidate will have over 15 years of experience in general management with a strong background in the lighting industry. Fluency in English is required, and proficiency in Dutch is a significant advantage. Join an energetic team dedicated to operational excellence and market leadership.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of management experience, with 5 years in a GM/MD or full P&L leadership role.
• Proven track record of profitably growing a business over €30M turnover in Europe.
• Extensive B2B commercial experience is essential.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the European strategy for organic growth.
• Lead the execution of the 3-year strategic plan focused on growth.
• Oversee end-to-end supply chain from China to Europe.

Skills

Business Acumen

Market Knowledge

Leadership

Fluency in English

Proficiency in Dutch

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Are you interested in further expanding our lighting business as a “Managing Director”?

Then you might just be the person we are looking for!

Who are we?

We are a leading Global lighting company active in over 70 countries. We are always looking for new talents! By becoming part of our energetic team, you can help us reaching our goals in an environment that is more than just a company. You are offered a fulltime job in a passionate, fast-growing company. We are ready to welcome you to our European Team.

Job Context

Internal Contact (EU Business Unit)

• Be responsible for all employees within the European subsidiary.

Internal Contact (China HQ)

• Global heads: Product & Solution , Supply Chain, Sustainability.

External Contacts

• Key, international, Wholesalers

Values & Responsibilities

To define, deploy and execute the European strategy with a focus on driving organic growth. The General Manager holds full P&L and operational accountability, building a high-performance organization and ensuring operational excellence across all functions to strengthen Opple's brand and market position. Today, Opple operates in 34 European countries.

Strategy Development & Execution for Organic Growth

• Formulate, gain approval for, and lead the execution of the 3-year strategic plan and annual operating plan (AOP), with a clear focus on achieving organic growth in Europe.
• Conduct strategic market and competitor analysis to identify and prioritize high-potential growth opportunities.
• Ensure disciplined resource allocation and investment decisions are aligned with the organic growth strategy.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear, actionable goals for the leadership team.
• Set ambitious yet achievable annual sales targets and go-to-market strategies for all channels (B2B & B2C).
• Coach and empower the head of Sales & Marketing, PPM to penetrate new segments and secure strategic accounts.
• Personally engage with top 10 international key accounts (wholesale & Installers) and strategic partners to secure business and strengthen relationships.
• Oversee pricing strategy and major commercial initiatives to maximize profitable revenue.

Operational Excellence

• Chair monthly Commercial S&OP meetings to align demand, supply, and inventory plans with the business strategy.
• Lead the optimization of the end-to-end supply chain from China to Europe, focusing on cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Drive operational excellence by monitoring key performance dashboards and sponsoring continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee B2C/e-commerce and after-sales service functions to ensure a seamless end-customer experience.

Organizational & Talent Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performance organizational culture and leadership team capable of executing strategic growth.
• Drive talent and leadership development as a core strategic enabler for business transformation and scale.
• Ensure full organizational alignment and execution focus to deliver on strategic and financial commitments.

We dare. We care. We have fun. We are OPPLE.

Job requirements

Education background

• Bachelor and above of Business Administration or equivalent advanced degree in Business Management, Engineering, or a related field.

Professional Knowledge and skills

• Business Acumen: Strong business strategy mindset and execution, Deep understanding of P&L management, , and financial modelling.
• Market Knowledge: Profound insight into the European lighting- / construction market dynamics and channels (in both B2B and B2C).
• Leadership: good knowledge of network design, change management, and performance coaching.
• Language: Fluency in English is mandatory as the primary business language. Proficiency in Dutch is a strong advantage due to our European headquarters being located in Eindhoven NL. Knowledge of other European languages is beneficial.

Critical Experiences

• 15+ years of progressive commercial and general management experience, with at least 5 years in a GM/MD or full P&L leadership role.
• Proven track record of growing a business (>€30M turnover) profitably in Europe.
• Extensive B2B commercial and operational experience is essential.
• Background in the lighting industry is highly preferred.
• Strong experience in managing complex, cross-functional, multi-country and cross-cultural teams across sales, marketing, product, and operations.

Critical Capabilities

• Strategic Vision & Execution: Ability to set a compelling vision and translate it into actionable plans with relentless execution.
• Decisive Leadership: Capacity to make tough decisions, navigate ambiguity, and inspire teams under pressure.
• Cross-Cultural Influencer: Exceptional diplomatic skills to build trust and drive alignment between European operations and China HQ.
• Commercial Driver: Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong focus on customer value and revenue generation.
• Integrity & Resilience: Unquestionable ethics, resilience, and the stature to represent the company at the highest levels.

Application Process

To apply, please submit the following:

Applications are reviewed regularly. Promising candidates will be invited to discuss potential opportunities.

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