Operation Area Director

N2Growth Italy, a global executive search and leadership advisory firm, is partnering with a leading multinational services company . With a strong people-centric culture and a solid commitment to quality, and improvement, the Company has entrusted us with the search for the following strategic profile:

OPERATIONS AREA DIRECTOR

This profile will be accountable for the overall performance of a large, complex operational site in a fast-paced, time-critical environment.

The role ensures safe, efficient, high-quality end-to-end service delivery while leading the site through a significant transformation across strategy, organisation, people, processes, operating methods, and performance control systems.

The position combines a strong sense of urgency and hands-on operational leadership with a medium- to long-term strategic vision , ensuring immediate operational stability while building sustainable, structured, and scalable solutions.

The role carries full responsibility for operational excellence, financial sustainability, people leadership, regulatory compliance, ethical conduct, and customer satisfaction , in line with corporate standards, client requirements, and applicable local and international regulations.

The position oversees all activities related to production, warehousing and operations, internal logistics, and last-mile service delivery to external interfaces, with a workforce of approximately 300 employees.

Key responsibilities

1. Overall Site Leadership

• Hold full accountability for the end-to-end management of the site, including production, operational logistics, transport services, and support functions.
• Ensure operational continuity, safety, quality, and on-time service delivery in a high-pressure, fast-moving operating environment.
• Act as the senior company representative towards clients, regulatory bodies, and local stakeholders.
• Ensure site operations are consistently aligned with corporate standards, contractual commitments, and customer expectations.

2. Financial Governance, Investments & Performance

• Own the site Profit & Loss and ensure long-term economic sustainability.
• Prepare and manage annual budgets and periodic forecasts in coordination with Headquarters.
• Define, prioritize, and manage site investment plans (CAPEX), ensuring alignment with operational needs, safety requirements, and return on investment.
• Monitor costs, productivity, service performance, and margins.
• Identify risks and drive corrective actions and cost-optimization initiatives without compromising quality, safety, or compliance.

3. Operations Management & Decision Making

• Define the operational organization model and production plans to meet demand, service levels, and efficiency targets.
• Lead and supervise site functional managers (e.g. Production, Quality, Transport, Maintenance, Logistics).
• Ensure consistent application of operational procedures, technical standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage critical situations, disruptions, and operational emergencies with speed, clarity, and authority.
• Take timely and well-balanced decisions , including difficult and high-impact choices , in conditions of uncertainty and operational pressure.
• Evaluate and govern make‑or‑buy decisions related to production, logistics, and support activities, balancing cost efficiency, service quality, flexibility, and operational risk.
• Define and continuously review workforce planning in line with demand variability, productivity targets, and service requirements.
• Ensure optimal staffing models, shift structures, and skill mix to support operational performance and cost control.
• Directly manage the site leadership team and provide clear direction, priorities, and objectives.
• Set individual and functional goals aligned with business strategy and operational KPIs.
• Drive performance management, talent development, and succession planning.
• Promote a strong safety culture, accountability, and alignment with company values.

5. Change Management & Transformation

• Lead and govern complex change initiatives affecting organization design, operating models, processes, tools, methods, and control systems.
• Translate strategic direction into pragmatic and executable operational actions.
• Balance immediate operational fixes with the implementation of structured, long-term solutions.
• Act as a visible and credible change leader, engaging managers and employees through clarity, consistency, and discipline.

6. Quality, Safety, Compliance & Ethics

• Ensure full compliance with Quality, Health, Safety, Environment, and Security standards.
• Partner with Quality and Compliance functions for internal and external audits.
• Ensure timely and effective management of non-conformities, incidents, and corrective actions.
• Maintain robust governance over risk management and regulatory adherence.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, integrity, and transparency , setting the tone from the top.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, reliability, and service quality.
• Collaborate with Innovation and Continuous Improvement teams to implement new processes, tools, and technologies.
• Support digitalization, automation, and standardization initiatives across the site.
• Foster a culture of operational discipline, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.

8. Interface with Headquarters

• Ensure alignment of site operations with corporate strategy, policies, and governance frameworks.
• Provide structured and accurate reporting on operational, financial, workforce, and investment performance.
• Actively contribute to cross-functional and transversal corporate projects.
• Strong and credible leadership in complex, fast-paced, labour-intensive operational environments.
• Ability to combine sense of urgency with strategic thinking and structured execution.
• End-to-end operational mindset combined with solid financial and investment acumen.
• Decisive, resilient, and accountable decision-maker, comfortable with ambiguity and pressure.
• Proven change leadership and transformation capability.
• Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Strong ethical compass, integrity, and role‑model behavior.

Requirements

• University degree (Engineering, Economics, or equivalent – preferred).
• 5–8 years of experience in Senior Site, Plant, or Operations Management role, with full responsibility for operational performance and team leadership.
• Experience in large-scale, industrial or food production environments is highly desirable.
• Strong exposure to regulated, safety-critical, and time-sensitive operations.

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