Manufacturing / Operations Director

Overview

Manufacturing/Operations Director – Italy. Location: Between Milan and Varese, Italy. Salary: c. €150k – c. €180k per annum plus car, bonus and benefits.

We are looking to appoint an outstanding Manufacturing/Operations Director who can lead best-in-class manufacturing activities and operate in an organisation poised for significant growth. The candidate will have background from a world-leading manufacturing/operational sector in areas such as food manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, micro and reverse logistics, etc., with experience leading manufacturing activities in a multi-site environment for sizeable teams (c. 400+).

The organisation is a key division of a highly successful multi-billion-dollar group and is one of the world’s leading manufacturing and service providers within its sector. The role requires a transformational approach to drive sustainable growth and profit improvement through an operational change programme.

Responsibilities

• This is a substantial and influential leadership role where the incumbent must deliver a high-performance agenda, raise the bar and drive the business to maximise its true potential.
• Conduct a full end-to-end strategic overview of the organisation with a focus on transformational change and world-class improvement techniques.
• As Manufacturing/Operations Director for Italy, report to the Country CEO; lead the top-level manufacturing/operational strategy and be fully accountable for influencing the direction of the business, while providing best-in-class service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead multi-site manufacturing activities throughout Italy, spending approximately 2 to 3 days between Milan and Varese, with travel to other facilities across the country.
• Full accountability for customer satisfaction through delivery of manufacturing and service excellence; P&L accountability related to labour, COGS and overheads for a highly complex multi-site business unit; lead all operational elements including manufacturing, assembly, warehouse operations/transport with a focus on lean methodologies and operational excellence.
• Drive people engagement focusing on mindset, culture and performance; implement a sophisticated change programme covering systems, people, process, technology and innovation.
• Champion and develop sustainable manufacturing/operational improvement programmes in an organisation with year-on-year growth.
• Introduce high-quality investment initiatives to advance the business with a focus on sustainability and broader growth direction.

Person

• This is a substantial change management role; requires an exceptional Senior Operations/Manufacturing Executive who enjoys a growth agenda, a substantial challenge and autonomy.
• Ideally degree qualified with fluency in both Italian and English; track record in senior operational/manufacturing roles leading a sizeable multi-site organisation (c. 400+ people) and experience in Italian and international work environments.
• Background from a world-leading manufacturing/operational sector; experience in food manufacturing is preferable. Other relevant sectors include pharmaceutical manufacturing, micro and reverse logistics, with expertise in complex multi-site environments and best-practice approaches.
• A dynamic self-starter who is intellectually powerful, action-oriented and capable of driving major breakthroughs in operational performance; champions change and can collaborate with other VPs of the executive team to foster a positive, energetic work environment.
• Willing to spearhead a career in an organisation offering exceptional opportunities for high-class performers.

Application : Please reply with full CV and current salary details. Reference number 15/368. APPLICATIONS MUST BE IN ENGLISH TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE.