Do you want to help drive the accelerated growth of a key player in the European cleanroom ecosystem? We are looking for an entrepreneurial and people oriented COO – Operations Manager. The COO – Operations Manager will manage all international operational activities for ABN Cleanroom Technology in a holistic way, meaning thinking along from pre-sales & design for operations over to managing the daily operations (implementation & validation) and aftersales service, and this both from a strategic & tactical perspective in order to meet the operational standards for efficiency & productivity, and to drive an optimal customer journey. This position will act as a strong number 2 and sidekick that can unburden the current co-CEO’s.

What are your main responsibilities & key deliverables?

• Takes a holistic approach and is responsible for all international operations, ranging from design for operations over to managing the daily operations (implementation & validation) and aftersales service, in order to efficiently bring cleanrooms in a productized way to the market and to ensure a positive customer journey;
• Guides, supports and facilitates ABN Cleanroom Technology in their accelerated growth towards becoming a key player in the cleanroom ecosystem across the main European countries.
• Responsible for the network of partnerships (subcontractors) regionally and by discipline, incl. supply chain, and provides appropriate support and unburdening to end customers in practical implementation and operation on site.
• In consultation with the commercial team, supports and thinks along with the (pre-)sales and closing of new business development (mainly serve as a sounding board and sidekick from a design for operations perspective)
• Advises and supports the CEO on strategic decisions to ensure the long term strategy and growth evolution of the company. A conceptual thinker that also drives disciplined execution of the operational business plan and manages to ensure the implementation of short and long term objectives in order to realize the strategic goals;
• Closely collaborates with finance and manages the operations budget in order to organize the different activities for ensuring results consistent with the business plan;
• Ensures the follow-up of the operational processes of the different entities in order to be consistent with the action plans.
• Drives ecosystem acceleration & business model innovation, and proactively makes proposals for improvement and development possibilities to optimize the results of the processes based on own experience & insights (e.g. improved sustainability positioning & circular solutions);
• Develops the organization in order to obtain best, profitable and qualitative results. Takes care of talent acquisition and the development and expansion of the organization, conducts an active personnel policy: collaborates, develops, coaches, motivates and adjusts in order to develop at best their skills and know-how;
• Forms a strong, high qualified team and encourages collaboration between the different functions to ensure the smooth functioning of the group. Makes sure process and resource planning are tuned and optimizes if needed;
• Further professionalizes international project management, sets the objectives and makes sure the projects are delivered upon approved timings and quality standards;
• Further develops and streamlines international customer service;
• Closely collaborates with legal & regulatory to ensure international regulatory compliance, product quality & liability and proper risk management.

What will you need to succeed in this position? Key Skills & competencies:

• Energetic and entrepreneurial, must be able to detect and maximise opportunities;
• Informal, pragmatic, down to earth, likes to work in a typical family company environment, to be close to your colleagues and show strong interest in the company;
• Attuned to operations / engineering / finance / service / organization / structure;
• Switch flawlessly between ‘doing’ and strategic conceptual thinking. The ability to combine operational work, analyzing and improving, with thinking strategically and developing a comprehensive vision and plan that will help the company achieve its goals;
• Charismatic, strong communicator that is strong in interpersonal contacts, spontaneous and open towards colleagues, no nonsense;
• Strong stakeholder & (complex) project management skills as well as planning, organizational, financial and time management skills;
• Self-motivating, pro-active and problem solving;
• Ambitious and results-oriented, critical and analytical;
• Excellent leadership skills, strong people manager and very team oriented with coaching style, relevant experience in talent acquisition & development;
• Innovative, inquisitive and on-the-go learning along with company growth;
• Good business acumen and commercial approach; good listener, persuasive and structured in his/her reasoning.

Your profile – what requirements should you meet?

• Master degree in engineering, preferably civil or industrial, with proven, successful experience in complex (external) project management (at the customer), or in complex assembly, validation or maintenance services, or equal by experience;
• At least 10 years experience in operations and complex project management (at the customer) in a relevant environment;
• Previous cleanroom experience or strong affinity with is a necessity;
• Good knowledge of English and Dutch, French and German are a plus;
• Experience with the technical, commercial, regulatory, financial, legal and HR aspects of high level management, e.g. change management, ISO14644, cGMP, Lean and continuous improvement;
• Understanding and having developed a broad view of several manufacturing, validation, service practices and organizations would be a strong plus;
• Hands-on, entrepreneurial profileable to nest in an (international) SME family company and that can help shape, guide & support the growth trajectory within Europe;
• People management and people skills to get & keep the right people on the payroll are key;
• Willing to travel regularly (as the business requires – up to 30%-40%).

What can we offer you?

• A full-time job within an international fast-growing family business in the cleanroom sector and with a strong financial status, bursting with energy and a team of intelligent and passionate colleagues.
• A competitive salary package with bonus and fringe benefits;
• A work location that can be partly remote and at the headquarters in Munsterbilzen (Belgium).
• Equal opportunities regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.
• And last but not least: you can help drive the accelerated growth of a key player in the European cleanroom ecosystem and help build a great company with big ambitions!