Startup Leader with potential to become the plantmanager for our new greenfield factory in Roosendaal

What is it like to work for us?

At Cloetta you will find many colleagues, just as enthusiastic and positive as you. We are driven to be the best and are continuously growing. We want to make a real difference for the company and create new and smart ways to win.

Cloetta will coach you in this desire to grow and develop because we have trust in your capacities. We will give you the freedom needed to perform your responsibilities, so you can have a true impact on the business by implementing your own ideas.

And, above of all... we love what we do and have fun while doing so. We have a smile in our DNA and are very proud of our welcoming, open and inclusive atmosphere.

Please also visit career.cloetta.com to view our employee journey and see what more we offer.

Who are we?

Founded in 1862, we are well-known for our candy, chocolate, nuts, fudge, nougat, pastilles, chewing gum and pick and mix concepts. A leading confectionery company in Western Europe. But also selling products in more than 50 markets worldwide. Making all possible with about 2800 employees working for us worldwide.

We own some of the strongest brands on the market, e.g Läkerol, the Jelly Bean Factory, Red Band, Venco, Sportlife, Jenkki, Kexchoklad, Ahlgrens Bilar, Malaco and Nutisal, most of them with a long heritage tradition.

What will you be contributing to?

As a start-up leader you are responsible for the successful start-up of our new “to be build” greenfield production facility in Roosendaal, in the Netherlands. This plant will be highly automated and modern, built with the latest technology and is going to be Europe’s first major candy production facility running entirely on renewable electricity. In this plant we will produce many of our bellowed products by approximately 200 highly skilled colleagues.

When you start with us, you will report into the Manufacturing Director and be part of the Manufacturing team containing of plant managers for our existing plants and a central team. You will be part of the project team building our new plant in Roosendaal. As such you are responsible for the controlled start up and ramp up of the plant, meeting all the KPIs related to this project with the opportunity to become the plant manager of this facility.

Your responsibility will be…

In the role you will lead, build, support, develop and organize all elements that are needed to have a solid structure in place that will drive a startup that is in line with the defined targets and will support a sustainable improvement towards the first-year objectives.

During the technical preparation and installation, you will (together with the project team), define and follow up on all actions and plans needed to secure a stable startup. Your focus and ownership will be on all elements related to the ways of working, Operational Excellence and people (culture, competence and behavior). Through this, you will participate actively in all streams of the project, to secure that there will be an organization and processes that can deliver products through perfect execution. You will agree the validation criteria for each key section of the factory (Building, utilities, machines etc), to secure a structured and controlled handover from project management to plant management.

During the second phase, you will be focusing on ramping up the new plant, leading the plant as a continuously improving operation by:

• developing and engaging the employees and leaders
• developing ways of working
• making efficient use of people, materials and machinery
• ramping up installed capacities and capabilities as designed
• securing progress and execution of punch list from the project to secure that the plant can deliver perfect products

Do you have the following profile?

• Knowledge and minimum 4 years Plant management experience
• Knowledge and experience from project leadership
• Knowledge of and experience in working in an international manufacturing environment
• Experience from working in a matrix organisation
• Fluent in English
• Bachelor or Masters degree
• Background in technical and/or food is beneficial

People recognize you as someone who…

• You have an entrepreneurial mindset and get a lot of energy from working autonomously, with groups and a large degree of freedom to make a real difference.
• You have a deep understanding of the key drivers for an efficient production facility, a holistic view and can easily connect with different disciplines.
• You are an authentic leader and have strong leadership skills and have the ability to engage and motivate teams and to take people with you.
• You can balance analytical rigor with entrepreneurial spirit and consistently drive for continuously improved results.
• You are a proven self-starter who can cope with challenges. You have a pragmatic, hands-on approach to problem solving with a strong eye for detail.
• You dare to take firm decisions and show political savvy with excellent interpersonal skills.

Then we are looking forward to receiving your application!