Chief Operations Officer (COO - Food Sector)
Central Poland, kujawsko-pomorskie
If you are people-oriented and closely connected to technologies used in food production, you want to be visible and present in the operational organisation and take responsibility with strong business acumen and a sound understanding of the economic rationale behind investments, combined with a hands-on leadership style, this role is written for you - especially if you enjoy working with engaged teams in both local and international environments and can turn Group opportunities and new customer projects into stable, efficient and profitable production.
O organizacji
Our client is a well-established company operating in the food sector in Poland and part of an international Group with Scandinavian roots. The company employs approximately 200-250 people and operates three production sites in kujawsko-pomorskie. It combines a strong local market presence with the resources and international perspective of a larger Group.
The organization is currently looking to further strengthen its operational capabilities and performance. The successful candidate will have overall responsibility for driving production efficiency and organizational performance across the business. The scope includes production, production planning, warehouses, logistics, maintenance, engineering, investments, automation, and the operational implementation of new products.
Stanowisko
Lead day-to-day operations to ensure operational excellence, cost efficiency and high productivity.
- Lead and develop daily operations across all production sites (coordinating production, planning, warehousing, logistics, maintenance, quality and investments), with clear accountability, strong management capability and a culture of safety, teamwork and continuous improvement.
- Translate customer demand into realistic capacity and production plans, ensuring reliable execution and on-time order fulfilment.
- Ensure production continuity through effective management of people, materials, equipment and operational risks.
- Drive productivity, capacity utilisation and labour efficiency while reducing waste, losses, downtime and avoidable costs.
- Establish consistent operational standards, reporting and KPIs, fostering fact-based decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Ensure effective management of inventories, material flows, warehouses and internal logistics, while controlling working capital in cooperation with Sales and Finance.
- Maintain compliance with quality, food-safety, certification and legal requirements.
- Build a proactive maintenance and engineering organisation; lead the operational investment plan, including new production lines, technology and automation, ensuring delivery within budget and expected benefits.
- Lead the industrialisation and implementation of new products, including technology transfers and cooperation with Group companies, while identifying opportunities for new products and customers.
- The COO reports to and closely cooperates with the CEO of the company in Poland.
Profil
A pro-active production and operations leader, close to people and technology. Requirements
- Senior Management experience in a food manufacturing environment.
- Experience leading a large operational organisation, preferably across multiple sites.
- Practical knowledge of production planning, maintenance, quality, warehouses and logistics;
- Experience with continuous improvement methodologies, managing investments, automation, new production lines or technology transfer.
- Fluent in Polish and good communicative English.
Competences
- Good understanding of production economics, budgeting and operational reporting.
- Ability to build and develop management teams, clear and direct communication skills, expecting accountability.
- Practical, hands-on leadership style, able to connect and motivate people, action & result driven
- Able to work effectively in an international Group environment and to make decisions based on facts.
Oferta
In this role you will become part of a company where delivering results through people is a core value, alongside integrity and transparency. Poland is currently a key strategic market and a central focus for the company’s growth in Europe. The business is expanding dynamically, with significant investments in production assets and a strong commitment to employee development. This role offers substantial entrepreneurial scope, with the autonomy to identify opportunities, drive initiatives, and deliver tangible results. The company is seeking a proactive, solution-oriented leader who takes ownership and leads from the front. In this role you will have authority to make day-to-day operational decisions within the approved budget, agreed plans, company procedures and applicable quality and legal requirements. Commercial strategy, customer pricing, financing, legal matters, and corporate governance will remain the responsibility of the CEO and the relevant functional managers.
A competitive compensation package is offered, including a company car, all necessary tools for the role, and a comprehensive medical benefits package.
Location
Central Poland, kujawsko-pomorskie.
Contact
Our client has outsourced the Search and Selection for the Chief Operational Officer exclusively to CeresRecruitment. You can send your application (English cv) via the website www.ceresrecruitment.pl. For further information, please contact Koen Lecluyse on +48 696 307 999. More information about our client will be shared during a personal interview. A personality questionnaire can be part of the recruitment process.