You report to the CEO and are part of the executive committee of DeliBarn.
You can review the organization(al structure) where needed; you need to build an efficient & performance-driven organization in terms of people, processes & systems.
The mission of the COO is to strategically review the operational footprint, especially to optimize the efficiency in the flows from one plant to another. In addition, s/he needs to review and improve the operational flows & lay-outs within the plants as well as focus on reducing waste management and leveraging energy management. All in all, the key challenge is to improve operational efficiency/excellence across and within the plants by implementing Lean/Six Sigma principles.
What are your responsibilities as Chief Operations Officer?
Strategic Operations & Footprint Optimization - Assess and optimize the overall operational footprint, ensuring production processes are streamlined and cost-efficient. - Evaluate plant-to-plant workflows, ensuring seamless transitions between production steps (e.g., slicing in one facility, packaging in another).
Manufacturing Efficiency, Process Improvement & Lean/Six Sigma Principles - Oversee and improve plant flows and layouts, ensuring efficient material handling, logistics, and production flow. - Implement Lean/Six Sigma manufacturing principles and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and increase productivity. - Establish and maintain industry’s best practices, drawing from sectors with strong efficiency and waste management. - Ensure all plants operate with high uptime and minimal downtime, focusing on predictive and preventive maintenance strategies.
Waste Management, Cost Reduction & Energy Management - Leverage automation and smart energy management systems to monitor and optimize energy consumption, improving overall operational efficiency. - Address key inefficiencies in waste management, particularly in high-waste processes such as slicing. - Implement cost-saving initiatives focused on raw material utilization, energy efficiency, and packaging optimization. - Collaborate with procurement and R&D to explore new materials, packaging solutions, or process innovations to minimize waste and improve profitability.
Leadership & Organizational Development - Create a performance-driven culture, ensuring operational teams are aligned, accountable, and empowered. - Recruit, develop, and mentor high-potential leaders within the organization, building a strong talent pipeline. - Review and restructure the team/organization if necessary to improve decision making, agility, and efficiency.
Compliance, Safety & Quality Standards - Ensure all plants comply with local and international food safety, quality, and HSE regulations. - Drive a culture of safety, ensuring strict adherence to health, safety, and environmental protocols. - Partner with the Quality and Regulatory teams to uphold high product quality and consistency across all production sites.
Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Collaboration - Work closely with Finance, R&D, and Commercial teams to align operational goals with overall business objectives. - Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure on-time delivery, optimal inventory management, and customer satisfaction. - Act as a key business partner to the CEO and leadership team, providing strategic insights on operations and efficiency improvements.
What do you bring to the table?
Strong career track in operations management roles up to multi-site management level. Previous experience as Plant Manager is a must.
Experience in industries/companies with solid capabilities in operational excellence/efficiency (e.g., automotive).
Experience within the food or consumer industry is not a must. Proven capability in leading operational transformations, bringing an organization to the next level in terms of operations & supply chain performance.
Combination of strategic acumen and hands-on execution: able to review an operational footprint from a strategic angle as well as being hands-on in the plants with a diligent eye for details.
Solid leadership skills, able to inspire and engage a team and set high standards of performance, while also being able to make tough decisions when needed.
Combination of technical skills with the ability to work cross-functionally in a collaborative manner with other departments like sales & marketing, finance, HR, etc.
Affinity with a private equity-owned company is a plus, but not a must. In any case, fit with the culture characterized as hands-on, down-to-earth, performance-driven, and entrepreneurial.
Hungry for more? This is what we offer
An inspiring work environment: As the market leader in the Benelux for service slicing, salami, and poultry, we create, package, and deliver top-quality deli meats. Always fresh, always full of flavor, with innovation as our driving force.
A warm welcome in a family-oriented and informal atmosphere: At DeliBarn, we highly value an open and informal company culture. Your colleagues are ready to welcome you with open arms and share their experience with you. A warm atmosphere and personal approach ensure you feel completely at home.
Focus on your future with ample support and growth opportunities: Here, you’ll have plenty of room to grow and develop new skills. You will be supported by experienced colleagues who guide you, and together we work on your professional growth. If you like to take initiative, you’ve come to the right place.
A spot in our team of passionate Food Lovers: At DeliBarn, we make products to love. In our mission to shape a tasty future, we strive to create a wide range of deli meats that connect people, cultures, and traditions.
An attractive salary package with extra tasty benefits.
