Director Global Manufacturing Technology

This search procedure has been closed (06-01-2017).
Field
Management
Salary
salary undisclosed
Location
Amsterdam
Employment
Permanent
Headhunter
AkzoNobel

The organisation

AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials to make people’s lives more liveable and inspiring. As a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, we supply essential ingredients, essential protection and essential color to industries and consumers worldwide. Backed by a pioneering heritage, our innovative products and sustainable technologies are designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet, while making life easier.

Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have approximately 45,000 people in around 80 countries, while our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Flexa, Sikkens, Alabastine and Jozo. Consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability, we are dedicated to energizing cities and communities while creating a protected, colorful world where life is improved by what we do.

The position

AkzoNobel’s business area (BA) Performance Coatings (PC) produces numerous leading products and brands that meet and anticipate the needs of customers around the world. We aim to be at the forefront of technical knowledge and innovation globally so that we manufacture at the highest possible quality in a cost effective manner.

Within this context, your mission in this role is to help us achieve this by defining the PC process technology strategy for the manufacturing and testing of products. In doing so you create a relevant, globally applicable pipeline of innovative process technology projects. You also continually assess the effectiveness of existing process technology solutions, determining if change is required and if there is a sufficient business case for the change.

This demands a credible and inspirational ability to influence employees and stakeholders – often remotely – as technologies and innovations are rolled out at manufacturing facilities around the world.

Is this a challenge that matches your skills and ambitions? Do you have extensive knowledge of manufacturing process technologies, especially coatings and resins? Can you apply the discipline necessary to drive consistency and a global agenda while understanding local needs and cost drivers? Are you able to deploy the skills and knowledge of your team to design and implement solutions while you oversee activities from the center? Above all, can you make a real difference within our dynamic, multinational and multicultural business environment?

If you offer all this and more we invite you to apply for the role of BA Director Global Manufacturing Technology.

Tasks & responsibilities

This is a newly created and high profile role to be based, ideally, at the AkzoNobel Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. You will travel for approximately 30% of your time and lead a team of 12.

Your core responsibility is to power the Global Manufacturing Technology organization so that it effectively understands, proposes, creates and shares new technology relevant to product manufacturing, packaging and testing. This requires you to align with our Advanced Manufacturing & Process Engineering Center of Excellence, working with them to scope projects that enhance performance for the manufacture of existing products, and/or to permit the manufacture of new products.

You also leverage the expert knowledge of Process & Manufacturing technologies including Procurement to propose cost effective supply chain solutions for differentiated customer requirements.

A central task is to oversee the process technology peer review process to assess the feasibility of project proposals from manufacturing sites and other functions. Thus you ensure that all CAPEX going to the BA review have undergone the right level of scrutiny to ensure they are consistent with AN’s strategy.

Further, you identify, develop and maintain best practices in the areas of process technology across the business units through identification of opportunities for knowledge sharing. You also align process technology plans with RD&I product development plans.

At all times you update on progress, and indicate deviations and recovery plans in a timely manner.

As an engaged leader you recruit, engage and develop team and ensure adequate succession plans are in place.

As such, this is a fascinating opportunity for someone who can multi-task in high-pressure environments while displaying excellent communication, presentational and conflict resolution skills on all organizational levels. The role also demands an ability to gain respect and trust through situational leadership and integrity.

Candidate profile

To apply for this position you must possess the following attributes:

  • Degree in a technical discipline such as Process Engineering or Chemistry, and a minimum of 10 years’ experience in a variety of process improvement activities, operations management, supply chain and site development/projects;
  • Able to tailor the technology approach and gain acceptance for the adoption of best practices in local business units and sites;
  • Ideally you have experience of continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma and TPM;
  • Solid line management, team/project leader and stakeholder management experience;
  • Extensive experience in coaching and engaging others, and the ability to impart knowledge to others;
  • Good communicator and network builder with fluent written and spoken English.

Interested?

You can apply to this position by using the link below. For further information, please contact Marjan van Grinsven, Talent Resourcing Manager, +31 (0)88-010 6789, option 2. Only online applications will be accepted. A pre-employment screening may form part of the selection process.

Agency or sales calls are not appreciated

This search procedure has been closed (06-01-2017).