Manager Operational Excellence & Technology (all genders) in the Netherlands

At FrieslandCampina Lochem, we are looking for an experienced leader who brings technology, process improvement, and operational excellence to a higher level. In this role, you are responsible for the technology and improvement agenda of one of the largest and most complex production sites within FrieslandCampina. You are a member of the Site Management Team and translate strategic ambitions into concrete results in the areas of efficiency, quality, sustainability, and cost control. You lead a team of Continuous Improvement Specialists, Learning&Development, and Process Technologists, and ensure that improvement initiatives are structurally embedded in the organization. In doing so, you create a culture in which data-driven working, continuous improvement, and innovation are central.

• Leading the Technology & Operational Excellence team and stimulating the further development of employees.
• Developing and executing the multi-year technology and continuous improvement roadmap for the location.
• Initiating and realizing improvement programs focused on yield, quality, sustainability, energy and water consumption, and cost reduction.
• Identifying opportunities in the areas of process, product, and technology improvements and translating these into concrete business cases.
• Safeguarding Continuous Improvement methodologies throughout the entire organization.
• Leading multidisciplinary improvement projects, from idea to implementation.
• Acting as a subject matter authority in the field of process and product technology and providing direction to technological standards and investment decisions.
• Strengthening digitalization and data-driven decision-making through the use of process data, analyses, and new technologies.
• Monitoring KPIs, analyzing trends, and translating insights into improvement actions.
• Collaborating intensively with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Finance, Logistics, and Corporate OPEX and Technology to ensure the location performs optimally.
• The impact of this position is great. You are responsible for improvement programs that influence a production environment in which hundreds of millions of kilograms of milk are processed annually into high-quality dairy ingredients and end products. By reducing losses, increasing process capacity, and realizing sustainability objectives, you make a direct contribution to the competitiveness of FrieslandCampina and to a more sustainable food chain.

• Completed HBO or WO degree, preferably in Process Technology, Chemical Technology, Food Technology, Industrial Engineering, or a similar technical field.
• At least 10 years of relevant work experience within production, process, or operations environments, including several years in a leadership role.
• A strong people manager who knows how to develop, coach, and inspire teams. You create ownership, stimulate a culture of improvement, and are able to elevate professionals to a higher level.
• Demonstrable experience in leading Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement programs, where sustainable improvements have been achieved in the areas of safety, quality, cost, delivery reliability, and efficiency.
• Strong knowledge of process and product technology within a complex production environment. Experience in the food, dairy, or process industry is a strong plus.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with operations, supply chain, engineering, quality, and senior management to realize shared objectives.

At FrieslandCampina, you work on strong and beloved brands used daily by millions, such as Friso, Campina, Chocomel, and Frisian Flag. As a dairy farmers' cooperative, we combine an international working environment with a clear focus on sustainability. We support your growth with training, coaching, and internal career opportunities. With confidence and autonomy, you can truly make an impact.

Employment conditions

• Salary between €6,575 and €8,923 gross per month (full-time), depending on experience and suitability for the role;
• A work week of 32 to 40 hours, 15% bonus, 8% holiday allowance, and a pension scheme;
• A train pass and/or €0.23 per km (max. 30 km one way);
• 200 hours of leave per year, with the possibility to buy or sell up to 40 extra hours;

For thousands of people, we are more than just a dairy company every day. For our dairy farmers, our employees, the communities in which we operate, our business partners, and the people we reach daily, FrieslandCampina means something extra. It is not just about what we do, but especially about who we are. We value talented people with diverse backgrounds who want to contribute to something greater than themselves. We encourage our employees to make decisions that contribute to the success of FrieslandCampina as a whole. At FrieslandCampina, we take responsibility for our own development and career. We give you the confidence and the space to make an impact in your role and to exert influence on the bigger picture. Working at FrieslandCampina means working on products that are valued worldwide and contribute to a better future for people, animals, and the planet. Together, we make the difference.

FrieslandCampina Lochem is a unique production site where various advanced production technologies come together. The site includes production activities for butter, powder products, and membrane technology, among others. The factory operates 24 hours a day and plays an important role within the global supply chain of FrieslandCampina.

As Manager Operational Excellence & Technology, you lead a team of approximately 10-15 specialists, consisting of Continuous Improvement Specialists, Process Technologists, and Learning&Development. Together, you work on innovative solutions, investment projects, and structural improvements that strengthen the performance of the entire location. You operate in a dynamic environment with plenty of room for entrepreneurship, where you collaborate with local operational teams, the Site Management Team, and international experts within FrieslandCampina. This gives you the opportunity to not only make an impact in Lochem but also to contribute to the further development of technology and operational excellence within the broader organization.

Do you want to bring technology, digitalization, and continuous improvement together at a leading production site with three collaborating factories? As Manager Operational Excellence & Technology in Lochem, you lead technologists and CI specialists. You determine the technological course, realize sustainable improvements, and lead investment projects that contribute directly to quality, yield, cost reduction, and sustainability.