Job Description

Who we are:

IRCA Group, an Advent portfolio company, was founded in Italy in 1919, and it is a leading international B2B provider of high-quality semi-finished ingredients such as chocolate, decorations, creams, inclusions, nuts and pistachios, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, and other essential solutions for industrial clients or other independent artisanal producers.

With more than 2.400 employees, 19 production facilities worldwide, and €1.4 billion in revenues, IRCA Group has a solid track record of growth and international expansion.

What do we offer:

• A dynamic, multicultural, and inclusive environment with exposure to global projects and stakeholders
• The opportunity to shape and lead a transformational Continuous Improvement journey at a global scale
• International career development opportunities
• Exposure to senior leadership and the possibility to influence strategic business decisions

The role

We are looking for an experienced and results-driven Global Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence Director to lead the design, deployment, and sustainability of IRCA Group's global Continuous Improvement (CI) strategy.

Reporting to the Global COO, the successful candidate will define and drive the Group's CI roadmap, embedding a culture of operational excellence across manufacturing sites and supply chain operations. The role will be instrumental in delivering productivity improvements, cost savings, capability building, and cultural transformation throughout the organization.

We are seeking a highly motivated CI leader with proven experience in implementing global Continuous Improvement programs within international manufacturing environments, ideally through TPM, IWS, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.

The selected candidate will lead the development and execution of the company's mid-to-long-term CI strategy across the end-to-end supply chain, while supporting the delivery of current performance improvement and savings initiatives. They will be accountable for the overall success of the CI program, ensuring that a continuous improvement mindset and culture become embedded in the daily operations of the organization.

Working closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, R&D, HR, Finance, and Plant Leadership teams, the Global Continuous Improvement Director will drive sustainable performance improvement and support the achievement of IRCA Group's strategic objectives.

The position is preferably based in Italy, at IRCA Group's Headquarters, with regular interaction and collaboration across the Group's international operations.

What will you do

Continuous Improvement Strategy & Governance:

• Define and deploy the Group-wide Continuous Improvement strategy aligned with business goals and operational priorities
• Establish governance, standards, methodologies, and KPIs to ensure a consistent CI approach across all regions and manufacturing sites
• Drive the deployment of TPM/IWS, Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies across the organization
• Develop a multi-year CI roadmap supporting productivity, quality, safety, service, and cost excellence objectives

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Management, or a related field
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and/or TPM certification is considered a strong advantage

Details

Contract: CCNL Alimentare Industria

Level: Impiegatizio alto livello

Meal vouchers: €8 for each day spent in the office

Remuneration: starting from RAL 120.000 € / 130.000 €

Eligibility for the variable bonus

IRCA fosters a dynamic environment, valuing different perspectives and international experiences, offering a stimulating context. We promote professional growth and career opportunities locally and internationally. With locations worldwide, we offer the chance to work on international projects, collaborate across cultures, and gain a global perspective. If you are looking for stimulating challenges and the chance to contribute your ideas for process improvement in an ever-growing company, IRCA is the right place.

We welcome applications from candidates of all genders, backgrounds, identities, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, parental responsibilities, age, religion, or belief. We believe in equal opportunities for all and ensure that our hiring process complies with the highest standards of non-discrimination and inclusivity. IRCA Group is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves, reach their full potential, and feel a true sense of belonging. Join us in creating a workplace where diversity is valued, and everyone can thrive.

Il presente annuncio è rivolto ai candidati appartenenti a qualsiasi orientamento o espressione di genere, nel rispetto dei principi di diversità e inclusione e di non discriminazione ai sensi del D.lgs. 198/2006.