Sr Director Manufacturing

Lamb Weston; Netherlands; Remote; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Lamb Weston is seeking an experienced Sr. Director Manufacturing to lead the regional manufacturing organisation in EMEA. You will guide the full operational chain from sourcing through production, supply chain, engineering, and technical services, ensuring safety, quality and financial performance.

The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with an operational mindset, empowers teams, and relentlessly pursues continuous improvement to deliver sustainable results across the region.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large, multi-site manufacturing operations.
• Track record in cross-country leadership across cultures.
• Strong business and financial acumen with operational accountability.
• Deep experience in safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Strategic project leadership in complex, cross-functional programs.

Responsibilities

• Set and drive the regional manufacturing strategy and performance.
• Lead Plant Managers to align EMEA manufacturing with Lamb Weston goals.
• Foster a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee asset utilization, maintenance, and capacity planning.
• Manage regional capital investments and cost productivity initiatives.
• Partner with global and regional stakeholders to achieve enterprise aims.
• Represent Lamb Weston with external groups and customers when needed.
• Drive sustainable and responsible manufacturing practices across the region.

Skills

Executive leadership

Manufacturing operations

Cross-country leadership

Cost optimization

Strategic planning

Safety & quality oversight

Stakeholder management

English fluency

Job description

Are you an experienced manufacturing leader who combines strategic thinking with a strong operational mindset? Do you enjoy leading people, driving continuous improvement and delivering sustainable business results?

As Sr. Director Manufacturing be responsible for the overall performance and strategic direction of the manufacturing organisation. You will oversee the full operational chain, from potato sourcing and raw material optimisation through production, supply chain, engineering, quality and technical services.

Job Responsibilities:

• Embeds a culture of employee safety throughout the organization and drives safety performance across all manufacturing and sourcing operations.
• Drives food safety and quality culture throughout the organization and partners with Corporate FSQ to ensure compliance with all company, customer and regulatory requirements.
• Fosters a “Speak Up” culture rooted in Lamb Weston values.
• Leads Plant Managers to ensure EMEA manufacturing strategies align with Lamb Weston’s overall business strategies and are effectively deployed and executed across the region.
• Instills a zero-loss manufacturing culture focused on continuous improvement, operational excellence and delivering world-class sustainable performance.
• Assesses, identifies and develops talent to ensure future leaders are prepared for expanded leadership responsibilities. Builds organizational capability throughout the region.
• Sets, measures and improves regional operational Key Performance Indicators and coaches plant leadership teams to consistently deliver results related to safety, quality, service, cost and productivity.
• Leads manufacturing transformation initiatives, process optimization efforts, technology implementation and innovation programs that improve operational and financial performance.
• Drives asset utilization, maintenance excellence, capital investment planning and capacity optimization strategies to ensure reliable and efficient operations.
• Serves as a key decision maker in the allocation of regional manufacturing resources, including labor, capital investments, capacity and raw material utilization.
• Accountable for the operational and financial performance of the EMEA manufacturing business unit, including achievement of operating plans, productivity targets and profitability objectives.
• Builds strong partnerships across Lamb Weston’s global matrix organization and collaborates effectively with regional and corporate stakeholders to achieve enterprise goals.
• Represents Lamb Weston with external industry groups, government agencies, customers, suppliers and business partners when appropriate.
• Implements programs that drive sustainable and environmentally responsible manufacturing practices across the region.

Skills and Experience

• Experience in large manufacturing operations department management – preferably food processing/manufacturing
• Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-site manufacturing organizations across multiple countries and cultures.
• Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to develop high-performing teams and future leaders.
• Strong business and financial acumen with experience managing operational and financial performance.
• Leadership of continuous improvement processes including cost reduction/savings programs, innovation, customer complaint resolution, plant/employee safety and security
• Food safety and quality management experience within the plant environment and in managing customer relationships
• Strategic project leadership experience involving high-complexity, cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills with experience operating effectively within a global matrix organization.
• Fluency in English required; additional European language capability preferred.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, pragmatic and people-focused leader who creates clarity, empowers others and holds teams accountable for results. A strong balance between strategic thinking and operational focus is essential, combined with a continuous drive to improve and deliver results.

Most importantly, the role calls for a genuine passion for people, manufacturing and continuous improvement , with the ambition to make a meaningful impact on the future of Lamb Weston’s operations.