Director of Operations

About the Company Our client is a well-established industrial machinery manufacturer serving large-scale industrial customers across domestic and international markets. Operating within Make-to-Order (MTO) and Engineer-to-Order (ETO) business environments, the company delivers highly engineered products and customized solutions for demanding industrial applications. With annual revenues exceeding €40 million, the organization possesses a strong reputation through its engineering capabilities, manufacturing excellence, and customer-focused approach. The Opportunity Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Director of Operations will assume overall responsibility for the company's Engineering, R&D, and Manufacturing organizations. The position plays a key leadership role in driving operational performance, engineering excellence, manufacturing effectiveness, and organizational capability while supporting the company's continued growth objectives. Leading a team of more than 150 employees, the successful candidate will ensure strong collaboration between engineering and production functions while fostering a culture of performance, continuous improvement, and accountability. Key Responsibilities Provide strategic and operational leadership across Engineering, R&D, and Manufacturing functions. Lead multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful execution of Make-to-Order (MTO) and Engineer-to-Order (ETO) projects. Establish strong alignment between engineering and production teams to achieve quality, delivery, productivity, and profitability targets. Drive manufacturing performance across all operational areas, ensuring efficient and scalable processes. Oversee manufacturing activities including: Welded Fabrication, Heavy Manufacturing, Metal Forming & Bending, Machining, Assembly Operations, Surface Treatment & Paint Shop Operations Lead Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence initiatives across the organization. Develop and monitor key operational and engineering performance indicators. Drive capacity planning, resource optimization, productivity improvement, and cost efficiency programs. Ensure compliance with quality, health, safety, and environmental standards. Build, develop, and mentor high-performing management and technical teams. Partner closely with the General Manager and executive leadership team to support business growth and long-term operational strategy. Candidate Profile Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline. Minimum 15 years of professional experience within industrial manufacturing environments. Proven leadership experience in senior roles such as: Director of Operations, Manufacturing Director, Plant Director, Factory Manager, Engineering Director, Head of Manufacturing, Head of Operations Strong background in manufacturing and engineering-led organizations. Demonstrated experience managing large, multidisciplinary teams consisting of both blue-collar and white-collar employees. Strong understanding of Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and Make-to-Order (MTO) business models. Experience in project-based manufacturing environments with customized product portfolios. Excellent command of English, both written and spoken. Preferred Industry Experience We are particularly interested in candidates with leadership experience in one or more of the following sectors: Industrial Machinery Manufacturing Heavy Equipment Manufacturing Material Handling Equipment Lifting & Crane Systems Industrial Furnace Systems Compressor Manufacturing Power Transformer Manufacturing Process Equipment Manufacturing Steel Fabrication & Engineered Structures Mining Equipment Energy Equipment Manufacturing Shipbuilding & Heavy Industrial Projects