Continuous Improvement Manager

Be part of something bigger!As the world and the way people live is changing, we at Bekaert believe it’s our responsibility to contribute to finding new solutions for the future. With a 140+ year old heritage of excellence, innovation, and a future-focused mindset, we strive to create value for our customers and society. We aim to do this through innovative solutions and sustainable practices. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of steel wire transformation and coatings whilst also leveraging our expertise to develop innovative solutions with new materials and services in a safe, smart, and sustainable way. Our focus extends to markets such as new mobility, low-carbon construction, and green energy. As a dynamic and growing company with over 19 000 employees worldwide, 75 nationalities, a retention rate above 90% and 3,7 billion in combined revenue in 2025, we are looking for someone like you to join our team as we continue to shape a safer, more efficient, and connected world!Purpose and MissionTo strengthen the current growth, we are looking for an individual who is passionate in continuous improvement and manufacturing excellence with the following scope: Realize significant recurring cash cost savings and a higher contribution margin Implement a World Class Manufacturing System in the plants, based on:People (behavior, culture, leadership)Technical processes ManagementCreate a sustainable platform for continuous improvementDevelop manufacturing excellence skills, capability, and capacityImplement a process for best practice sharing & implementation throughout BekaertImplement a framework for internal and external benchmarking to drive continuous improvementClarify interfaces and improve alignment between central support functions and the plantsKey Activities and ResponsibilitiesHighlight bottlenecks in projects to the Plant ManagersFunction as Project Leader for OPEX/CI projects. Be an expert in WOW; ensure continuous improvement in WOW by training and coaching people in WOW.Ensure KPI dashboard is used for performance management on plant level, be the local KPI dashboard administrator.Facilitate global standardization by training Managers in Operations in the playbooks or global shopfloor procedures, organize self-assessments, and facilitate the implementation and follow-up. Ensure good OPEX project governance within the Plants, prepare/facilitate the quarterly follow-up meeting (Reg. VP & Plant Manager)Be an expert in time & motion analysis, make and manage workload models (WLM)Ensure that Operations is using the right sources of data, SAP reports. Assess and support the Plants in closing the gap in the Productivity. Roll out the global OPEX standards rigorously and make local adaptations for regional standards. Share good practices across the network.Supports development & roll out of the digital features to NAM plants.SkillsProduction background and/or likes being in production environments People oriented, willing to helpIs not risk-averse, likes to test new concepts or organizations and adjust, depending on how it goesExcellent communication & listening skills; able to deliver presentations and to train others in a clear manner; capable of encouraging and motivating peopleAbility to drive meetings towards progressAble to work cross-functionally, interfacing well with all production management levels, and driving them towards changeDetailed-orientedAbility to manage his own activities autonomously, and has good project management skillsStrong analytical and problem-solving skillsAction and results orientedAdaptable and learn quicklyPrevious ExperienceMinimum of 5 years of experience in process improvement, operations management, or a related field, with a focus on local or regional operationsQualifications and EducationMaster's degree in business administration, operations management, engineering, or a relevant fieldBe bold and take the leap!We're looking for individuals who are not afraid to take risks and explore new ideas. If you are passionate about personal growth and bringing your authentic self to work, we want you on our team! At Bekaert, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. To learn more about us and our exciting career opportunities, visit Bekaert Careers