Operations Lead

CHEP Benelux Nederland BV; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CHEP Benelux Nederland BV in the Netherlands seeks an Operations Lead at the Tiel plant, managing a team of up to 85, driving safety, performance, and continuous improvement, and acting as the right hand of the Plant Manager.

This role blends people leadership with operational excellence, offering a visible impact on plant success and opportunities to mentor, coordinate maintenance, and lead end-to-end operations with a data-driven mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• NEBOSH qualification or equivalent.
• Certifications or training in production management, safety, quality control, and lean manufacturing.
• 3+ years of experience in a fast-paced production & distribution operation with supervisory/management experience.
• Experience leading Zero Harm initiatives, including learning teams and risk assessments.
• Experience delivering a high-performance team in a blue-collar environment.
• Strong understanding of production process, quality control, safety regulations, and industry standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with stakeholders at all levels.
• Problem-solving skills with quick and effective solutions.
• Strong English; Dutch, German, or Eastern European language a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on leadership by mentoring, coaching, and guiding employees, addressing employee relations issues, and fostering a positive work environment.
• Lead and enhance safety performance on shift, promoting a proactive safety culture through training, accident prevention, and rehabilitation programs.
• Manage shift maintenance activities, coordinating with maintenance to minimize unplanned downtime.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives on shift to enhance efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Monitor and manage plant costs and yield, collaborating with Plant Manager to optimize performance.
• Address performance and attendance matters in collaboration with HR.
• Ensure CHEP procedures and work instructions are followed to meet standards and goals.

Skills

Adaptability

Change Management

Coaching

Data Analysis

Digital Literacy

Emotional Intelligence

Mentoring

Strategic Thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Company Overview

CHEP helps move goods to more people, in more places than any other organization on earth through our 347 million pallets, crates and containers. We employ approximately 13,000 people and operate in 60 countries, leveraging a pioneering and sustainable share‑and‑reuse business model trusted by the world’s biggest brands.

Your Mission

As Operations Lead in our Tiel plant, you will manage a team of up to 85 colleagues, drive safety, performance, and continuous improvement, and act as the right hand of the Plant Manager. This role combines people leadership with operational excellence and offers a visible impact on plant success.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide hands‑on leadership by mentoring, coaching, and guiding employees, addressing employee relations issues, and fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• Lead and enhance safety performance on shift, promoting a proactive safety culture through training, accident prevention, and rehabilitation programs, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
• Manage shift maintenance activities, resolving equipment breakdowns in coordination with the maintenance team to maintain uninterrupted plant operations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives on shift, implementing best practices to enhance efficiency, quality, and cost‑effectiveness across end‑to‑end operations.
• Monitor and manage the plant's operational costs and yield, working closely with the Plant Manager to optimize performance and contribute to the overall plant objectives.
• Address performance and attendance matters in collaboration with HR, ensuring that all plant staff meet operational expectations.
• Ensure full compliance with CHEP procedures and work instructions, ensuring tasks are completed accurately and in line with company standards and operational goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree of equivalent experience
• NEBOSH qualification or equivalent
• Certifications or training programs in production management, safety, quality control, and lean manufacturing
• 3+ years of experience within a fast‑paced production & distribution operation/factory or related industry, including supervisory or management experience
• Experience leading Zero Harm initiatives, including learning teams and investigations, risk assessment, and developing risk assessments
• Experience delivering a high‑performance team in a blue‑collar environment
• Strong understanding of the production process, quality control, safety regulations, and relevant industry standards
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of communicating with team members, upper management, and stakeholders
• Problem‑solving skills: ability to identify problems in the production process and implement solutions quickly and effectively
• Strong English language skills; Dutch, German, or another Eastern European language a plus

Required Skills

• Adaptability
• Change Management, Coaching, Computer Literacy, Cross‑Functional Work, Data Analysis, Data‑Driven Decision Making, Delegation, Digital Literacy, Emotional Intelligence, Feedback, Inclusive Leadership, Innovation, Inspiring Others, Learn From Mistakes, Mathematic Literacy, Mentoring, Mentorship, Motivating Teams, Prioritization, Scheduling, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Thinking

Remote Type

Not Remote

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to developing a diverse workforce in which everyone is treated fairly, with respect, and has the opportunity to contribute to business success while realizing their potential. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.