Process Operations Manager

SIRE LIFE SCIENCES; Lochem; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

SIRE LIFE SCIENCES is seeking a Process Operations Manager to lead a 5‑shift production team in Gelderland, Netherlands. You will ensure safety, product quality, and production continuity while coaching staff and driving continuous improvement across departments.

The role requires strong leadership, Dutch language proficiency, and 5–8 years in manufacturing, with exposure to supply chain and change management. English is advantageous, and the position is on site.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience leading teams within a 5 shift operation is preferred.
• Strong people management, coaching, and leadership skills.
• Ability to engage employees during organizational and operational change.
• Food industry experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of quality systems, food safety, and hygiene requirements.
• Strong understanding of production processes and manufacturing technology.
• Supply Chain experience is required.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• 5 to 8 years of relevant professional experience.
• Dutch language proficiency is mandatory.
• English language skills are an advantage.
• Experience managing operational performance and team development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage production teams operating within a 5 shift environment.
• Ensure a safe working environment and maintain compliance with quality and food safety standards.
• Monitor and manage the complete production process from raw materials through to finished products.
• Coordinate activities with internal departments and external stakeholders.
• Coach, motivate, and develop team members to maximize performance and engagement.
• Drive ownership, accountability, and teamwork across the production operation.
• Develop and implement annual operational and team plans.
• Ensure employees receive appropriate training and development.
• Support and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify process optimization opportunities to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Maintain operational stability while managing change and improvement projects.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Coaching

Communication

Stakeholder management

Change management

Supply chain experience

Dutch language

English language advantage

Job description

The Company

A leading international dairy and food manufacturing organization with large scale production operations and a strong focus on quality, safety, sustainability, and operational excellence. The organization operates advanced manufacturing facilities and produces a diverse portfolio of food ingredients and finished products for global markets. Continuous improvement, employee development, and innovation are at the core of its operations.

Role description

As a Process Operations Manager, you will lead a production team within a dynamic manufacturing environment operating in a rotating 5 shift system. You will be responsible for ensuring safety, product quality, production continuity, and operational performance while developing and coaching employees. This role combines people leadership with operational ownership, requiring a professional who can drive continuous improvement, manage change effectively, and collaborate with multiple departments to achieve business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage production teams operating within a 5 shift environment.
• Ensure a safe working environment and maintain compliance with quality and food safety standards.
• Monitor and manage the complete production process from raw materials through to finished products.
• Coordinate activities with internal departments and external stakeholders.
• Coach, motivate, and develop team members to maximize performance and engagement.
• Drive ownership, accountability, and teamwork across the production operation.
• Develop and implement annual operational and team plans.
• Ensure employees receive appropriate training and development.
• Support and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify process optimization opportunities to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Maintain operational stability while managing change and improvement projects.

Requirements

• Proven leadership experience within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience leading teams within a 5 shift operation is preferred.
• Strong people management, coaching, and leadership skills.
• Ability to engage employees during organizational and operational change.
• Food industry experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of quality systems, food safety, and hygiene requirements.
• Strong understanding of production processes and manufacturing technology.
• Supply Chain experience is required.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• 5 to 8 years of relevant professional experience.
• Dutch language proficiency is mandatory.
• English language skills are an advantage.
• Experience managing operational performance and team development.