Operations Director multi-sites

Location: Romania | Multi-Site Responsibility

We are recruiting a strategic and hands-on
Operations Director
to lead end-to-end operational performance across
several production and service delivery sites
within an organisation committed to circularity, resource efficiency, and responsible production.

This role is pivotal in shaping a scalable operational ecosystem that extends product life cycles, minimizes waste, and delivers exceptional service quality.

The Operations Director will drive process excellence, empower high-performing teams, and ensure that sustainability, compliance, and operational impact go hand-in-hand across all sites.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Operations Director will oversee the full operational value chain — from planning and production to refurbishment, remanufacturing, logistics, and quality control — across several locations.

You will play a central role in embedding circular-economy principles into daily operations, ensuring that all sites operate efficiently, ethically, and in line with evolving sustainability standards.

Working closely with executive leadership, you will shape operational strategy, optimize end-to-end processes, and lead high-performing teams in achieving ambitious service, cost, and efficiency targets.

This role requires a mix of strategic vision and hands-on leadership, with the ability to navigate complex operational setups and drive continuous improvement across geographically dispersed entities

Regular travel between sites is required.

KEY CHALLENGES & SUCCESS FACTORS

Multi-Site Coordination:

Standardising processes, quality systems, and compliance across sites with different maturity levels.

Scalability & Efficiency:

Designing structures and workflows that can grow with increasing volumes and evolving customer expectations.

Cross-Functional Leadership:

Ensuring strong collaboration between Operations, Sales, Finance, Compliance, Facilities, and Service Delivery.

Data-Driven Management:

Implementing KPIs, dashboards, and reporting systems to drive performance and enable swift decision-making.

Transformation & Innovation:

Introducing best practices, new technologies, and continuous improvement methodologies to elevate operational performance.

Circular Operational Model:

Creating processes that maximise reuse, refurbishment, and value recovery while reducing waste and environmental footprint.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Leadership

• Lead end-to-end operations across multiple production and service sites.
• Ensure efficient planning, resource utilisation, and timely delivery of services and products.
• Oversee production planning, scheduling, inventory management, logistics coordination, and supplier interactions.

Performance Management

• Establish KPIs and monitor operational performance, quality, productivity, and cost efficiency.
• Present weekly, monthly, and quarterly performance reports with insights, risks, and recommended actions.
• Use analytical tools and forecasting methods to support strategic decision-making and demand alignment.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Develop and mentor operational leaders and multidisciplinary teams.
• Build a strong culture of accountability, safety, continuous improvement, and customer focus.
• Manage talent pipelines, succession planning, and training initiatives across sites.

Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all operational activities meet internal standards, industry best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee quality management, health & safety compliance, and operational controls.
• Ensure readiness for certifications and audits related to quality, environmental, and information security standards.

Financial & Resource Management

• Manage operational budgets, resource allocation, and cost structures.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through waste reduction, improved material flows, and efficiency projects.
• Contribute to forecasting and annual business planning with operational insights.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Lead improvement initiatives that reduce cost, increase throughput, and enhance service quality.
• Promote innovation and evaluate new technologies, tools, and systems to improve visibility and performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Finance, Sales, Compliance, Facilities, P&C, and Service Delivery to ensure strategic alignment.
• Participate in customer engagements and leadership forums to communicate operational processes, sustainability metrics, and outcomes.
• Lead multi-site operational integration initiatives.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Experience & Expertise

• Strong understanding of production, reverse logistics, refurbishment, remanufacturing, or service-delivery environments.
• Experience managing complex multi-disciplinary operational functions.
• Familiarity with circular-economy value chains and resource-efficiency practices.
• Experience with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 27001; exposure to standards related to recycling or value recovery is an advantage.
• Solid awareness of Health & Safety principles; IOSH or equivalent is beneficial.

Strategic & Operational Competence

• Proven capability to optimise and scale operational processes in fast-paced environments.
• Strong planning, forecasting, and resource management skills.
• Experience analysing cost structures, identifying opportunities for savings, and supporting commercial decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead operational transformation and change management initiatives.

Leadership & People Skills

• Minimum 5+ years in senior leadership roles within operations or related functions.
• Strong coaching ability, empowering teams to perform and grow.
• Skilled at leading diverse teams across multiple sites and disciplines.
• Authentic communicator, able to articulate complex information clearly and effectively.
• Proven ability to build trust with senior stakeholders, internal partners, clients, and external actors.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and long-term planning
• Data-driven decision making
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Strong stakeholder management
• Resilience and adaptability
• Customer orientation
• High integrity and operational discipline

ATTRACTIVE ASPECTS

This is a unique opportunity to lead operational excellence in a business deeply committed to sustainability and circular value creation. You will drive environmentally responsible processes, build high-performing multi-site operations, and play a key role in shaping the company's long-term operational strategy.

The role offers broad scope, visibility at the highest levels, and the chance to influence the sustainability impact of thousands of products throughout their lifecycle.

APPLICATION PROCESS

If this opportunity aligns with your experience and ambitions, please submit your CV.

Qualified candidates will be invited to a structured evaluation process focused on leadership, operational capability, and cultural fit.

If you know someone who may fit this challenge, you are welcome to share this opportunity.