About the Role

As Plant Manager, you will lead the overall performance of one of Barry Callebaut's manufacturing facilities, ensuring excellence in safety, quality, service, cost, and sustainability. Reporting within a global organization, you will play a critical role in translating business strategy into operational results while driving continuous improvement, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction.

You will oversee daily operations and long-term plant development, balancing operational efficiency with innovation and sustainable growth. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring strong business acumen, people leadership, and a passion for operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Lead and develop a high-performing plant organization, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Translate business strategy into operational plans that deliver results across production, quality, service, and cost.
• Own plant financial performance, including budget management, productivity, and cost optimization.
• Ensure production targets are achieved while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives to improve efficiency, sustainability, and manufacturing performance.
• Oversee maintenance and engineering activities to ensure optimal asset reliability and plant effectiveness.
• Partner with HR to develop talent, support workforce planning, and maintain positive employee and union relations.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, corporate functions, and external stakeholders.
• Lead change and transformation initiatives, implementing new technologies and best practices with minimal operational disruption.
• Champion Barry Callebaut's sustainability agenda and ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards.

About You

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, including Plant Manager or equivalent operational leadership roles preferably in the food industry.
• Proven success leading complex manufacturing operations within multinational and matrix organizations.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, performance metrics, and operational profitability.
• Demonstrated leadership in operational excellence, continuous improvement, and large-scale change management.
• Experience working with unionized workforces and managing diverse stakeholder relationships.
• Strong people leadership skills with a track record of developing, coaching, and inspiring teams.
• Fluent in the local language and English; additional languages are an advantage.
• Resilient, agile, and customer-focused, with the ability to make sound decisions in fast-paced environments.
• Passionate about safety, sustainability, quality, and delivering exceptional business results.

Compensation & Benefits