Plant Manager, Bruges

Job Description

IFF is a leading innovator of ingredients transforming the food industry. At the heart of our company, we are fueled by a sense of discovery, constantly asking “What if?” That passion for exploration drives us to co-create unique products and applications. IFF is a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition offering our customers a broader range of solutions. We are the catalyst for discoveries that spark the senses and transform the everyday. 

It’s an exciting time to be part of the IFF Health and Biosciences Platform. We are looking for a dedicated and a passionate Plant Manager to lead our enzyme manufacturing operations in Brugge, Belgium.

The Plant Manager will provide direct management and leadership for the local operations. The Plant Manager is responsible for operational activities in line with the global operations strategy to achieve objectives related to safety, quality, cost efficiency and productivity, production output, product and process development, volume and delivery feasibility. 

We expect you to be technically savvy as well as people, customer and business oriented. You lead by example and have a proven track record of demonstrating excellent leadership, collaboration and communications skills.
 

As Plant Manager, you will be responsible for: 

• Communication, promotion and attainment of our vision, values, strategies & objectives  
• Implementing the IFF Operating System to drive our performance to be best in class in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, Cost and People
• Leading site safety and sustainability engagement, focus and commitment to zero
• Creating a culture of employee engagement, trust and people capability development
• Being our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion
• Acting as a change agent, challenging paradigms and fostering a continuous improvement process and problem solving culture at all levels
• Delivering high customer service through appropriate capacity maintenance, capacity improvement, adherence to manufacturing plans and effective communication
• Driving high production capability through utilization of improvement programs and maintenance best practices
• Achieving our financial goals (cost, cost productivity & inventory)  
• Driving and facilitating collaboration within the plant and across our global network, interacting effectively with business and functional leaders
• Assessing and advancing competitiveness of the facility
• Setting the future vision for the local organization and defining critical operating objectives for the site
• Guaranteeing compliance with regulations and company policies and processes
• Leading and promoting community relations activities 
   

Job Requirements

• University degree in related technical field (Advanced university degree preferred)
• 10 + years industrial or chemical process experience and 5+ years supervisory experience
• Demonstrated leadership, collaboration and communication skills
• Demonstrated capability to quickly understand technology and drive / support change 
• Proven ability to lead cultural change and create winning teams
• Ability to set priorities and provide direction to influence management and broader organization.
• Proven commitment, focus and effectiveness on advancing company values
• Data driven, action oriented and works with a sense of urgency
• Background in Lean Manufacturing Principles preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Dutch
• Experience with works council (Ondernemingsraad) and safety committee (Comité voor Preventie en Bescherming op het Werk)

IFF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential.  We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex or veteran status. We strive for inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability. Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more