Operations and Supply Chain Manager

Come and join the leading #avoexperts 🥑

Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce – 365 days a year & across the globe.

With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avoexperts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.

We’re looking for a Operations and Supply Chain Manager to join our team in, Wingene, Belgium.

The Operations & Supply Chain Manager is responsible for the overall performance of manufacturing operations and end-to-end supply chain activities for the site. The role ensures safe, efficient and cost-effective production and reliable service to customer satisfaction. Acting as a key member of the local leadership team, the position oversees production, planning, warehousing, logistics and customer service activities, ensuring alignment between customer demand, operational capabilities and business objectives. The role drives operational excellence, continuous improvement, people development and cross-functional collaboration to support sustainable growth, profitability and service performance.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead site manufacturing and supply chain operations to deliver production volumes, quality, cost and customer service targets.
• Optimise labour, equipment and resources, driving Lean Manufacturing, productivity improvements and waste reduction.
• Oversee equipment reliability, preventive and corrective maintenance, and support machinery and infrastructure investment decisions.
• Ensure compliance with QMS, HACCP and food safety requirements in partnership with the independent Quality function, and champion site safety.
• Lead, coach and develop production and supply chain teams, managing performance and supporting employee development.
• Own local S&OE and contribute to S&OP, aligning demand, production capacity, scheduling and inventory targets.
• Translate production plans into purchase orders and call-offs within agreed inventory targets, working with Procurement as supplier contract owner and escalation point.
• Oversee warehousing, transport and logistics providers, monitor supplier delivery performance, and improve OTIF and customer service.
• Manage operational and supply chain budgets, control manufacturing and logistics costs, and deliver cost savings.
• Maintain accurate master data and BOMs, collaborating with Commercial, Finance, Quality, Procurement and Supply Chain on planning, performance and customer escalations.

Requirements

Essential

• Master’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, or Supply Chain Management
• Experience in a production environment including food manufacturing methods, process improvement programs and procedures
• Knowledgeable in M365 and MOMS/MES systems
• Strong technical background with business and people management skills
• Experience in Project Management and Leadership
• Continuous Improvement - advanced (including CAPEX)
• Mother tongue/native level fluency with Dutch and English.
• Ability to respond resourcefully and constructively to new demands, priorities, and challenges
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Available to be onsite in the Wingene office 4 days a week.

Desirable

• Master’s degree or equivalent qualification
• Fluency in French is desirable.
• Experience in FMCG, fresh produce, or perishable goods environments highly desirable

Benefits

We value your efforts, and we show it not only with words but also with actions.

• You work full-time with flexible hours and hybrid working of 4 days in office and 1 day remote.
• Base Salary is set between a benchmark of €5000 - €6000 per month gross.
• Bonus of 15% of annual gross salary linked to key parameters and the EBITDA of the Westfalia group
• Meal vouchers
• Annual €250 eco vouchers (calculated pro rata according to the number of days worked)
• Group insurance Hospitalization and outpatient insurance
• Company Car
• GSM + subscription

Please note that this position does not have a specific closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and the advert may be removed at any time.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, or veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.