EMEA Site Operations Lead

For an international industrial organisation, Beacon Executive is searching for an experienced and hands-on EMEA Site Operations Lead. This is a broad site leadership role with responsibility for the overall operational performance. The scope includes Operations, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Planning, Inventory, Warehouse & Distribution, Assembly/Light Manufacturing, Quality, EHS and Facilities. The position reports directly to international senior management.

A key part of the mandate is to further improve operational performance and lead the site through its next phase of development. We are therefore looking for a strong change agent who combines operational expertise with visible, hands-on leadership and who can build a culture of continuous improvement, ownership and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

• Overall responsibility for site operational performance, with a focus on safety, cost, efficiency, productivity and service delivery.
• Lead day-to-day activities across Operations and Supply Chain, including planning, purchasing, inventory, warehousing, distribution and assembly/light manufacturing.
• Drive operational excellence, Lean and Continuous Improvement, improving processes, performance and on-time delivery.
• Develop and manage operating budgets, cost plans and forecasts and identify opportunities for cost reduction and efficiency improvement.
• Lead and develop multi-functional teams, creating a high-performance culture with clear ownership and accountability.
• Take overall responsibility for Quality, EHS and compliance, including audits and continuous improvement.
• Oversee facilities, maintenance, assets and capital projects.
• Drive effective use of ERP/MRP systems, KPIs and management information to support performance and decision-making.

Candidate Profile

• Proven experience in a Senior Operations, Site Management or Operational Leadership position within an industrial, manufacturing, engineered-product or distribution environment.

• Experience leading broad, multi-functional operations across Operations and Supply Chain.

• A strong track record in improving cost, efficiency, productivity, on-time delivery and customer service.

• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement, combined with practical experience implementing improvement initiatives.

• Strong people leadership and a hands-on, pragmatic management style.

• Demonstrable experience leading operational and cultural change and challenging established ways of working.

• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and performance management; SAP experience is relevant.

• A degree or equivalent qualification in Business, Operations Management, Engineering, Supply Chain or a related discipline is desirable; Lean/Six Sigma certification is strongly preferred.

• Location: full-time site-based.

• Languages:

  Dutch proficiency and business fluency in English are required. German is an advantage.