Head of Global Operations

Alcott Global is retained by an international company to search for a Head of Global Operations role based in Europe.

The role will lead the operations of the global manufacturing network and drive global manufacturing transformation. The role will modernize operations, improve competitiveness, and build a best-in-class manufacturing footprint. This is a high-impact transformation leadership role, requiring both hands-on executive and strategic vision across geographically dispersed operations. Key Responsibilities:

1. Manufacturing Transformation Leadership ● Lead the end-to-end transformation of a multi-site European manufacturing network, defining and executing a

multi-year roadmap across operational excellence, digitalization, and footprint optimization. ● Deliver step-change improvements in OEE, yield, throughput, and overall cost competitiveness across all sites. ● Drive cultural transformation toward performance, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the

network. 2. Multi-Site Operational Leadership

● Provide direct oversight of multiple manufacturing plants across Europe, ensuring alignment on performance, processes, and KPIs, with consistent execution and visibility across all locations.

● Drive standardization of operating models, systems, and governance across sites. ● Stabilize underperforming plants while scaling best practices from high-performing sites.

3. Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement ● Embed Lean, Six Sigma, and CI methodologies across all sites in the region. ● Establish a robust cross-site performance management system with clear KPIs and accountability. ● Lead implementation of Industry 4.0 / digital manufacturing initiatives across the network.

4. Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) ● Lead a network-wide transformation to a zero-harm culture. ● Ensure consistent HSE standards and compliance across all European sites. ● Integrate safety and sustainability into all site-level operations and transformation initiatives.

5. Financial Impact & Value Creation ● Own and improve the aggregate manufacturing P&L performance across multiple sites. ● Deliver cost transformation programs across labor, materials, energy, and overhead. ● Optimize capital deployment across the site network.

6. Network Strategy & Footprint Optimization ● Evaluate and redesign the European manufacturing footprint (capacity, utilization, site roles). ● Lead site consolidation, expansion, or specialization initiatives where required. ● Drive network-level decisions on make vs. buy and outsourcing.

7. Quality & Compliance ● Ensure consistent quality systems and regulatory compliance across all manufacturing locations. ● Improve right-first-time and reduce waste and deviations across the network.

8. Talent & Change Leadership ● Build and lead a high-performing, multi-site manufacturing leadership team. ● Strengthen leadership capability at the plant level; develop succession pipelines. ● Drive the adoption of new ways of working across different countries and cultures.

9. Stakeholder Management ● Act as the primary manufacturing leader for Europe within the global organization. ● Partner with Supply Chain, Engineering, Procurement, IT, and Commercial teams. ● Engage with unions, works councils, and regulators across multiple European jurisdictions.

Qualifications:

● 15+ years in manufacturing within process engineering industries ● Proven experience managing 5+ manufacturing sites across regions ● Demonstrated success in leading large-scale transformation or turnaround programs. ● Strong background in operational excellence and performance improvement at scale. ● Strong multi-site leadership and matrix management capabilities. ● Ability to drive alignment and standardization across geographically dispersed operations. ● Deep expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement systems. ● Strong financial acumen with experience managing regional P&L. ● Experience in digital manufacturing / Industry 4.0 is a plus. ● Excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills across cultures. ● Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field. ● Willingness to travel extensively across Europe.