Overview
Director of Operations Jobs in Bestwig, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany at Green Folk
Title: Director of Operations
Company: Green Folk
Location: Bestwig, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Operations Director (m/f/d)
Location: North Rhine-Westphalia
We are currently seeking a highly experienced and results-oriented Operations Director (m/f/d) to lead manufacturing operations across 2 sites in North Rhine-Westphalia. This senior leadership role carries full accountability for production performance, operational excellence, and the strategic development of processes, technologies, and teams whilst striving to drive continuous improvement within a dynamic and growing industrial environment.
The Operations Director reports directly into the Plant Manager/Managing Director and is responsible for 5-6 managers, across two sites where headcount is over 600 personnel.
Your Responsibilities
- Full responsibility for the manufacturing areas including production, processes, and quality, as well as leadership and development of the assigned management team
- Ensuring alignment of manufacturing operations with customer requirements and corporate objectives
- Defining and implementing operational strategies in line with overall business goals
- Driving continuous improvement and productivity increases through the consistent application of Lean Management principles
- Initiating and implementing measures to improve quality, efficiency, and scrap reduction
- Ensuring compliance with all relevant legal regulations and internal standards, particularly in the areas of occupational safety, environmental protection, and quality
- Responsibility for budget planning, monitoring, and adherence
- Leading capacity planning and investment activities, particularly in the context of growth and ramp-up phases
- Identifying and implementing automation solutions and new technologies to enhance operational efficiency
Key Challenges
- Managing a significant ramp-up of manufacturing operations
- Successfully launching and scaling new production programmes (NPI) with associated capital investments
- Ensuring delivery of quality, cost, and timing targets in a complex environment
- Driving a sustainable cultural transformation towards structured, rule-based processes
Leadership & Interfaces
- Close collaboration with the senior leadership team and establishment of a strong operational leadership structure
- Regular communication across all organisational levels, including employee town halls and management reviews
- Acting as a key contact for customer escalations related to delivery and technical topics
- Participation in internal and external audits (e.g. AS9100 and customer-specific requirements)
Your Profile
- Degree in Engineering or a comparable technical discipline
- At least 10 years of professional experience in a comparable operational leadership role
- Proven experience in production leadership within an industrial environment, ideally within the automotive sector
- Demonstratable experience leading large teams in multi-site operations
- Strong expertise in Lean Management and continuous improvement methodologies
- Excellent analytical, structured, and solution-oriented working approach
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively at all levels
- Fluency in German and English is required
Desirable qualifications:
- Experience in metal processing or casting environments
- Six Sigma certification
What We Offer
- A key leadership position with significant operational responsibility
- The opportunity to actively shape and develop a growing organisation
- A professional and performance-driven environment with ongoing investment in technology and expansion
- Responsibility for a large and highly skilled workforce
