Operational Excellence Specialist

Renewi NL | BE; Heijningen; On-site; EUR 66,011 - 79,068; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to €6,500/mo

Holiday allowance 8%

Pension scheme

Laptop and phone

24+ holidays

Job summary

Renewi is seeking an Operational Excellence Specialist who understands production, manufacturing, processing or logistics environments and can translate improvement opportunities into practical results. You’ll work closely with site teams to make processes safer, smarter and more efficient.

In this role you identify opportunities, drive Lean, 5S and continuous improvement initiatives, analyse processes, facilitate workshops, and support delivery of sustainable improvements across sites,

Qualifications

• Several years of experience in production, manufacturing, process industry or logistics.
• Can connect with people on the work floor and translate issues into improvements.
• Practical experience with Lean, 5S and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience driving improvements and implementing change in practice.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, efficiency and performance.
• Support sites in implementing operational improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate Lean, 5S and CI projects across departments.
• Analyse processes to uncover root causes of issues and guide actions.
• Monitor progress and embed improvements into daily operations.

Skills

Lean

5S

Daily Management

Continuous Improvement

Analytical Thinking

Problem-Solving

Stakeholder Management

Dutch

English

Job description

Improve operations where it matters most

At Renewi, we believe the best improvements start on the work floor.

We're looking for an Operational Excellence Specialist who understands operational environments from experience and knows how to translate improvement opportunities into practical results. Someone who enjoys working closely with site teams, supervisors and managers to make processes safer, smarter and more efficient.

Operational Excellence Specialist (32 – 40 hours)

This role is ideal for someone who has built experience in a production, manufacturing, processing or logistics environment and has seen first-hand how operational improvements can drive performance.

You will not be responsible for directly managing teams. Instead, you will act as a trusted partner, facilitator and improvement expert who helps operational teams identify opportunities, solve problems and implement sustainable improvements.

Your role

As Operational Excellence Specialist, you support our sites in identifying, prioritising and implementing operational improvements.

You bring structure, Lean expertise and a practical approach to improvement initiatives while working closely with operational stakeholders across the business. By analysing processes, challenging existing ways of working and facilitating improvement activities, you help create lasting operational impact.

You report to the Manager Operational Excellence and collaborate closely with site management and operational teams.

What will you do?

• Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, efficiency and operational performance.
• Support sites in implementing operational improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate Lean, 5S and continuous improvement projects across different departments.
• Analyse operational processes and identify root causes of recurring issues.
• Guide improvement workshops and support stakeholders in implementing agreed actions.
• Translate operational challenges into practical and measurable improvement plans.
• Monitor progress and help ensure improvements are embedded into daily operations.
• Use operational data and performance insights to identify trends and opportunities.
• Act as a sparring partner for site management and supervisors on improvement-related topics.
• Support larger improvement programmes and strategic initiatives led by the Manager Operational Excellence.

What makes you our ideal candidate?

We are looking for someone who combines operational experience with a passion for continuous improvement.

You:

• Have several years of experience within a production, manufacturing, process industry or logistics environment.
• Understand the reality of day-to-day operations and can easily connect with people on the work floor.
• Have practical experience with Lean, 5S, Daily Management or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Have been involved in driving operational improvements and implementing change in practice.
• Can influence and engage stakeholders without formal managerial authority.
• Are pragmatic, hands-on and focused on achieving results.
• Have strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Are comfortable working with different stakeholders across operational environments.
• Speak fluent Dutch and English.

Nice to have

• Lean Green Belt or similar certification.
• Experience with Kaizen, PDCA, Root Cause Analysis or A3 problem solving.
• Experience within manufacturing, recycling, waste management, logistics or other operational environments.

Why Renewi?

At Renewi, you'll have the opportunity to make a visible impact on how we operate every day.

You will work in a business where operational excellence is essential for achieving our safety, sustainability and performance ambitions. Together with colleagues across our sites, you'll help transform improvement opportunities into lasting results.

Because improving today means protecting tomorrow.

What do we offer you?

• A competitive salary (max € 6.500 per month) 8% holiday allowance, a good pension scheme, laptop and phone and a minimum of 24 holiday days (and you can buy 20 more if you need);
• A chance to grow while contributing to a cleaner, greener world.
• Work in a highly dynamic, innovative environment with freedom to explore and create.
• The opportunity to build something that lasts—not just projects, but culture.