Director Operations & Supply Chain Europe

Director Operations & Supply Chain EuropeDe positieAre you an experienced Operations & Supply Chain leader who thrives in complex international environments? Do you have a proven track record in driving operational performance, integrating business units, and building structure across a matrix organization? And do you get energized by delivering transformation rather than simply designing it?As Director Operations & Supply Chain Europe, you will be responsible for the operational and supply chain performance across a multi-country European organization comprising distribution centers, warehouses, customer service operations, and value-added manufacturing activities.You will be a key member of the European leadership team and play a critical role in shaping and executing the next phase of the company's operational transformation.This position has been created as part of a broader transformation journey. The strategic direction has already been defined. The challenge now lies in execution. Therefore, we are not looking for a consultant or architect, but for a leader who can mobilize people, build alignment, and deliver tangible results.Operating within a complex matrix environment, you will work closely with country leaders, commercial teams, operational managers, and executive stakeholders across Europe. Success in this role requires operational credibility, strong leadership skills, organizational sensitivity, and the ability to influence across multiple functions and geographies.You will have overall responsibility for:OperationsSupply Chain ManagementPlanning & Inventory ManagementWarehousing & LogisticsCustomer ServiceQuality & HSEOperational ExcellenceIn addition, you will be responsible for:Improving service levels, productivity, safety, quality and cost performance;Strengthening operational governance and performance management across Europe;Optimizing forecasting, planning and S&OP processes;Improving inventory management, working capital and asset utilization;Driving logistics, network optimization and capacity improvement initiatives;Developing a high-performing European Operations & Supply Chain leadership team;Implementing standardized processes, KPIs and operating procedures;Ensuring operational scalability to support future business growth.The position requires approximately 50% travel across Europe, particularly during the first phase of the transformation agenda.Over het bedrijfOur client is an international B2B organization operating across multiple European markets. Through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, the company has built a leading position within specialized industrial and technical markets.The organization is currently entering an important new phase of development. Historically, many activities have been managed locally with their own systems, processes and ways of working. The ambition for the coming years is to create a more integrated European operating model, enabling greater efficiency, scalability and customer focus.This creates significant opportunities within operational excellence, supply chain integration, network optimization, digitalization and performance management. At the same time, it requires a leader who understands how transformation is successfully implemented within a complex multinational environment.The culture is entrepreneurial, international and performance-driven, with a strong focus on ownership, collaboration and continuous improvement.Wat breng jijWe are looking for an experienced Operations & Supply Chain executive with a strong track record within complex international organizations.You are not someone who only develops strategies or transformation roadmaps. You are an operational leader who has delivered results, led challenging change initiatives, and successfully navigated organizational complexity.You understand the constant balance between customer service, inventory, operational efficiency, costs, capacity and business performance. You know how to transform data and insights into action and sustainable improvements.In addition, you bring:Bachelor degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business or a related discipline;At least 15 years of senior leadership experience within Operations and/or Supply Chain;Significant multi-country or regional leadership responsibility;Proven success within complex matrix organizations;Experience leading operational transformations and multi-country integration programs;Strong expertise across supply chain, logistics, customer service, planning and operations;Experience with S&OP, forecasting, inventory optimization and operational performance management;Strong financial acumen with experience in productivity, cost-to-serve and working capital improvement;Fluency in English. Personal Characteristics:Strong leadership presence and credibility;High energy and drive;Results-oriented and pragmatic;Independent and self-starting;Excellent stakeholder management skills;Strong change management and execution capabilities;Analytical and data-driven;Hands-on when required;Comfortable making difficult decisions and managing resistance.Above all, we are looking for a leader who sees transformation not as a project, but as a responsibility. Someone equally comfortable in a warehouse, manufacturing operation or distribution center as in the boardroom. A leader who challenges assumptions, drives accountability, and builds a higher-performing organization capable of supporting future growth.