Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist (all genders)

FrieslandCampina; Beilen; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

FrieslandCampina seeks an energetic Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist to lead change programs at the Beilen plant, part of the Operational Excellence initiative. You will drive performance improvements across safety, quality, service and cost, and build networks within RFC to deploy the Way of Working globally.

With 600+ staff, Beilen champions infant nutrition, and the role offers hybrid working, engagement in cross-functional teams, and opportunities to shape long-term performance

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a similar CI role in Food, Chemical, Consumer Goods or Pharma.
• Proven track record delivering results in business and project environments.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, SPC and TPM/WCOM.
• Knowledge of performance management processes and coaching first-line leaders.
• Experience in an international environment; fluent in Dutch and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute operational excellence projects and workstreams to improve site performance.
• Build networks within local supply chain and RFC to deploy the Way of Working.
• Lead multifunctional teams using structured improvement methodologies.
• Analyze data to improve processes and support implementation.
• Coach and train colleagues to implement improvement initiatives on the shop floor.
• Manage project progress, identify deviations and escalate for timely adjustments.

Skills

Influencing skills

Collaboration

Coaching juniors

Dutch language

Tools

Lean

Six Sigma

SPC

TPM/WCOM

Performance management

Job description

FrieslandCampina is looking for an energetic, result-driven Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist to implement and lead change programs that optimize the performance of the Beilen plant. With the Operational Excellence program, this role helps the Friso Infant Nutrition Supply Chain deliver improved safety, quality, service, and cost year on year. Leading step-change projects is both exciting and challenging, requiring new ways of working and turning choices into determined actions.

The Beilen factory, traditionally known as the "Domo", produces high-quality infant formula and infant food ingredients. More than 600 employees work together at this site, making it one of FrieslandCampina's largest production locations. Our goal is to ensure that all babies around the world can grow up healthy.

What we ask

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in a similar role within industries such as Food, Chemical, Consumer Goods, or Pharma, including 3–5 years in Continuous Improvement;
• Proven track record of delivering strong results in business and project environments;
• Experience with Continuous Improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, SPC, and TPM/WCOM;
• Knowledge of performance management processes (target setting and follow-up) and experience coaching first-line leaders;
• Solid experience in Continuous Improvement, change management, and project management, preferably in an international environment;
• Strong influencing and collaboration skills, including the ability to work without hierarchical authority, coach (junior) colleagues, and fluency in Dutch and English.

What we offer

As a farmer-owned cooperative, FrieslandCampina combines an international environment with a clear social and sustainable purpose. We support your growth through training, coaching and internal career opportunities. With trust and autonomy, you can make real impact.

• Hybrid working with flexible working hours, a train card and/or €0.23 per km (max. 30 km one way).
• 200 hours of annual leave, with the option to buy or sell up to 40 hours.
• A laptop, phone and home office equipment to support flexible working.
• Wellbeing initiatives, such as health support and employee assistance programs.
• Extras at the head office, such as milk and cheese during lunch and fresh fruit.

Vacancy description

As a Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist, you will be part of a team responsible for driving Performance Excellence in our Supply Chain organization. You will define, prepare, lead and execute operational excellence projects and workstreams and work every day to improve our processes. You will actively build networks both within our local supply chain as well as the global RFC organization to further develop and deploy the “Way of Working” within RFC. You are comfortable with a limited level of tangibility of the output. In fact, output in terms of effective results should be realized in terms of business performance.

Your responsibilities will include

• Establishing improvement programs that sustainably improve site performance and capabilities and align with long-term strategy, for example the "Our Way of Working" project;
• Leading multifunctional improvement teams to implement change using structured methodologies;
• Managing relevant stakeholders effectively and providing correct management information regarding results and capabilities on time, so that buy-in for decisions during projects and workstreams is created, reciprocal expectations are well managed and access to the stakeholder network is strong;
• Analyzing and interpreting data to improve processes and provide support for implementation;
• Leading and/or facilitating complex root cause analysis in line with problem solving methodologies;
• Supporting, coaching and training colleagues across the organization to implement improvement initiatives at shop floor level;
• Managing the progress and results of improvement projects, identifying deviations and escalating them to the appropriate stakeholders so that timely adjustments can be made.