Operations & Plant Manager - Medical Construction

Olivi.Growth; Nieuwegein; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Olivi.Growth is seeking a Plant & Operations Manager for a hybrid role at our modular construction facility in the Netherlands. You will lead a 15+ shop-floor team and drive the factory’s growth with hands-on leadership and scalable processes.

You will design SOPs, own ISO 9001, and ensure medical-grade standards (ISO 13485 / 14644). Dutch and English fluency required; Bachelor in Industrial/Mechanical Engineering; 3+ years in prefab/construction or high-tech assembly.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant experience in prefab construction, medical or high-tech assembly environments.
• Ready to assume full plant responsibility and grow into a senior role as the company scales.
• Experience bringing structure and accountability to professionalise manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day production on the shop floor, fostering safety, efficiency, and teamwork.
• Coordinate with the office-based work-prep team on planning, specifications and cost coordination with project managers.
• Design and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and quality gates to scale operations.
• Own the Quality Management System (ISO 9001) and align with medical-grade standards (ISO 13485 / 14644).
• Optimise inventory, procurement, and JIT logistics to reduce lead times and waste.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (LEAN / 5S) and standardisation to reduce unit costs.
• Manage the factory budget (€10M+) and monitor KPIs (OEE, Yield, Non-Conformance).
• Report performance clearly to executive management.

Skills

Leadership

Quality Management Systems

LEAN / Kaizen

Budget responsibility

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or similar

Job description

Our client is an innovative, fast-growing pioneer in modular construction for the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector, think state-of-the-art OK’s, cleanrooms and medical laboratories. Using advanced modular building methods, the company delivers flexible, future-proof solutions with minimal disruption and maximum quality. They play a meaningful role in keeping the Dutch healthcare sector accessible, affordable, and ready for what's next.

The company is in an exciting transition: backed by a prominent Private Equity firm, they are moving from a successful entrepreneurial phase into a structured production scale-up, preparing them for growth. Their modern production facility is the engine behind this growth and that's exactly where you come in.

The Role

As Plant & Operations Manager, you are at the heart of the operation. This is a unique hybrid role: hands-on and operational today, with a clear mandate to scale and professionalise the factory for tomorrow. You lead a skilled shop-floor team of 15+ FTE, welders, carpenters, electricians, while simultaneously building the systems, processes, and quality frameworks needed to handle serious growth in output volume.

Whether you are a seasoned production professional or a high-potential leader ready for a decisive next step in your career, this role gives you the platform, the autonomy, and the challenge to truly make your mark. You are not afraid to get your hands dirty; you know that real credibility on the floor is earned by standing with the team, not above it.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Day-to-day leadership of the production floor: planning, coaching, and driving a culture of safety, efficiency, and teamwork;
• Manage and align with the work preparation team (office-based) on planning, specifications, and cost coordination with project managers;
• Design and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and quality gates, transforming a successful pioneer into a scalable, structured manufacturing operation;
• Take full ownership of the Quality Management System (ISO 9001); ensure every module is built to spec and in line with medical-grade standards (ISO 13485 / ISO 14644 for cleanrooms);
• Optimise inventory management, procurement, and JIT logistics reducing lead times, minimising waste, and keeping material flow seamless;
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (LEAN / 5S) and standardisation to keep cost-per-unit competitive;
• Manage and optimise the factory budget (€10M+); track and steer on key operational KPIs (OEE, Yield, Cost of Non-Conformance);
• Report clearly to executive management on operational performance and progress.

Your Profile

• At least three years of relevant experience in a (prefab) construction, medical or high-tech assembly environment, for example as a Production Leader, (Assistant) Plant Manager, Quality Engineer, or Continuous Improvement Specialist;
• You are fully ready to step into full plant responsibility and excited to grow into a more senior role as the company scales;
• A down-to-earth, natural leader who earns respect on the floor by being present and engaged while simultaneously bringing the structure and accountability needed to professionalise the operation;
• Good understanding of Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001); willingness to quickly master medical-grade standards (ISO 13485 / ISO 14644) is a strong plus;
• Bachelor’s level of thinking and working, a background in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or similar.
• Experience with process improvement methodologies (LEAN, Kaizen, or similar) and budget responsibility;
• Independent, proactive, and comfortable in an environment where not everything is set in stone yet, you thrive in a scale-up.
• Full professional proficiency in both Dutch and English is mandatory (Dutch for the production floor, English for international suppliers and PE board communication).