Senior Manager Operations Filtration Materials Europe (m/f/d)

Role Summary

As Senior Manager Operations Filtration Materials Europe (m/f/d), you will drive operational excellence across our European Filtration Materials manufacturing network, with a strong focus on our Marklkofen site. Working closely with local plant leadership, you will improve manufacturing performance, establish operational standards, optimize value streams and support sustainable business growth across multiple locations.

Your Challenge

• Lead and further develop the European Operations organization within Filtration Materials
• Ensure sustainable manufacturing performance across all sites, including:
  • Safety (EHS)
  • OEE
  • Quality
  • Cost efficiency
  • Delivery performance
• Work closely with local plant management to:
  • Stabilize and improve operational performance
  • Harmonize processes, standards and KPI systems
  • Establish and transfer best practices across the production network
• Build structures and drive the standardization of manufacturing processes across multiple sites
• Reduce operational variation and implement sustainable production standards
• Support investment, capacity and footprint-related decisions within Europe
• Drive continuous improvement of production structures, processes and organizational set-ups
• Lead operational excellence and transformation initiatives
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality and other central functions
• Act as a trusted sparring partner for operational leaders and support the rollout of operational standards across the broader Filtration Materials organization

Your Profile

• Education: University degree in Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a comparable technical qualification
• Professional Experience:
  • Several years of leadership experience in manufacturing, operations or operational excellence within an industrial environment
  • Experience in roles such as Plant Manager, Senior Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Operations Manager or comparable leadership positions
  • Experience working across multiple manufacturing locations, regional production structures or complex cross-site operational environments
  • Experience in continuous manufacturing environments such as nonwovens, filtration media, paper, textiles, specialty materials, coatings, plastics processing, packaging or comparable process industries is highly desirable
  • Proven track record in operational excellence, performance improvement and process standardization
  • Experience working within technically demanding production environments
  • We also welcome applications from experienced operations leaders who are ready to take the next step into a broader international role
• Expertise:
  • Strong command of modern production methodologies, Lean principles and value stream optimization
  • Experience with SAP and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
  • Strong analytical and KPI-driven decision-making capabilities
  • Ability to translate operational data into sustainable performance improvements
  • Proven ability to develop managers and lead operational teams across multiple locations
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at different organizational levels
• Language Skills: Fluent German and English (C1 level), both written and spoken, are mandatory for this role.
• Personality:
  • Pragmatic, hands-on and execution-oriented leadership style
  • Strong ownership mentality and decision-making capability
  • Ability to build structures, establish standards and drive sustainable improvements
  • Direct, transparent and constructive communication style
  • Comfortable giving and receiving clear feedback
  • Strong stakeholder management and networking skills in both solid-line and dotted-line environments
  • Strategic mindset combined with a practical approach to operational challenges
  • Resilient, solution-oriented and capable of leading change in an international manufacturing environment

Diversity and inclusion are part of our DNA. We select solely based on the best talent. We therefore welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, origin, ethnicity, disability, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Social Benefits

• You work with a high degree of autonomy and decision-making freedom, with substantial ownership in a strategic leadership role.
• Competitive, performance-based compensation and comprehensive social benefits aligned with the scope and responsibility of the position.
• 40-hour workweek with flexible working hours and 30 days of vacation, supporting a balanced and professional work environment.
• Hybrid working policy: for this role, on-site presence five days per week is required when not traveling, ensuring effective leadership, plant interaction, and operational alignment.
• Everyone has Talent: our global talent management process supports your long-term professional development and leadership growth.
• International exposure and opportunities for overseas assignments, offering direct collaboration within a global manufacturing network.
• Attractive company pension plan in accordance with tariff regulations.
• Childcare support, including access to holiday programs and cooperations with local daycare facilities.
• A secure and future-oriented workplace in a company strongly committed to sustainability.
• JobRad leasing option.
• Extensive employee discounts through our Corporate Benefits Portal (e.g., travel, fashion, insurance, and more).