Head of Operational Excellence

Location: Breda, the Netherlands**|**Employment type: Full-time

Ready to shape the future of Operational Excellence across our manufacturing network?

Do you enjoy turning strategy into measurable and sustainable operational improvements? Are you equally comfortable setting direction, developing people, and working hands-on with manufacturing teams?

Join Cloetta and lead the deployment of our Cloetta Operating System (COS), across our manufacturing sites.

This role is a key leadership role driving Operational Excellence across six manufacturing sites in five countries

Treat yourself, work with us!

Who are we?

Cloetta is Northern Europe’s leading confectionery company, with the vision of being the winning confectionery company and inspiring a more joyful world. Our core markets are Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, and our products are sold in more than 60 countries.

We operate six production units in five countries and own brands including Läkerol, The Jelly Bean Factory, Red Band, Venco, Sportlife, Jenkki, Kexchoklad, Ahlgrens Bilar, and Malaco. Cloetta’s class B shares are traded on Nasdaq Stockholm.

Fun and winning culture

At Cloetta, we believe that work should feel like a treat. We combine a professional and respectful working environment with a joyful culture and a determination to win together.

Our culture is built on passion, teamplay, focus, and pride. We encourage people to take ownership, share ideas, learn from one another, and turn opportunities into results.

What will you be contributing to?

As Head of Operational Excellence, you will lead Cloetta’s Group Operational Excellence function and drive COS across the manufacturing network through clear standards, governance, capability building, and continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Manufacturing Director, you will lead three central Operational Excellence Managers and Specialists, provide functional leadership to six Continuous Improvement Managers, partner with plant and functional leaders, and combine strategic direction with hands-on support for key improvement and transformation initiatives.

• Drive the rollout of the Cloetta Operating System through a clear roadmap, consistent standards, strong governance, site-specific plans, and sustainable operating routines.
• Improve****operational performance by targeting high-impact opportunities, leading cross-site initiatives, tracking value delivered, scaling proven solutions, and directing recovery efforts when required.
• Build continuous****improvement capability through structured training, coaching, certification, and effective daily management.
• Develop****the Group Operational Excellence team by setting clear priorities, deploying resources effectively, building talent, and promoting collaboration.
• Accelerate****factory transformation by setting strategic roadmaps, removing obstacles, restoring performance, and reinforcing site ownership.

Competencies: what you will need to succeed

To succeed in this position:

• You translate complex operational challenges into clear priorities and practical improvement plans.
• You align sites and functions around shared standards and business goals.
• You communicate complex topics clearly to operators, specialists, plant leaders, and senior stakeholders.
• You coach others to strengthen their problem-solving skills through thoughtful questions and practical guidance.
• You make sound decisions with incomplete information and adapt as circumstances evolve.
• You address resistance constructively and build trust through active listening, consistency, and integrity.

What you bring

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in operations, production, maintenance, logistics, process engineering, or continuous improvement.
• A relevant bachelor’s degree, preferably in a technical, business, or economics discipline.
• Proven experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Total Productive Maintenance, or similar continuous improvement methods; Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification is preferred.
• Experience leading change programs across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Factory or line-management experience, supported by strong project, stakeholder, and change-management skills.
• Experience with operational technology, data management, and process control in production environments.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills, including statistical analysis.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25–35% of the time, including regular travel to our sites across the Netherlands and Belgium.

Bring joy to work, every day

Empowered work that matters

At Cloetta, ideas come to life. You will take on meaningful operational challenges, continue to grow through learning, and see the impact of your work across our manufacturing network.

We trust our people to take ownership and contribute with confidence and a winning mindset. Inclusion is important to us, and everyone should feel welcome, valued, and able to be themselves.

Flexibility and joy at work

Balance matters. We offer hybrid working to support both professional and personal wellbeing. We also want work to be inspiring, engaging, and enjoyable, supported by our values of passion, teamplay, focus, and pride.

Interested?

If you are excited by the opportunity to shape Operational Excellence across Cloetta’s manufacturing network, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Join us at Cloetta, where work feels like a treat!