Director - Continuous Improvement System Deployment

Director – Continuous Improvement  System Deployment 

Location: Barcelona (Spain); Maastricht (Netherlands); Delft (Netherlands); Paris (France)

dsm-firmenich is building, launching and rolling out our new Continuous Improvement system called IMPACT, that is now initiated in more than 10 sites with up to 80 more to launch.  This role is to mastermind and lead this roll-out with a team of internal experts and in conjunction with some external consultants.  The succesful candidate will coach and influence the Operations VPs and site leaders on their IMPACT journey as well as managing the timings of IMPACT events in the factories and the deployment of internal and external resources.  They will be a key voice in the evolution of the IMPACT system based on their hands-on experiences, with a separate team responsible for the training and reference materials. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and orchestrate deployments and embedding of the IMPACT system at site level across 100 global sites in conjunction with BU teams
• Lead, coach and grow your team of IMPACT coaches and experts so they can cycle back into the business in more senior roles after 1-2 years
• Co-lead the evolution of the IMPACT system, based on experiences and identified improvements, feeding these to the IMPACT Capability and Materials team
• Prepare and animate IMPACT events for the Business Units to foster the corporate IMPACT CI culture and mindset
• Grow IMPACT capabilities in the business through training & coaching on site and in specific events and forums
• Execute site benchmarking and diagnostics to shape site and Business Unit IMPACT roadmaps and feed into site master plans to create value

You Bring:

• Master’s degree by education and extensive working experience and high expertise in manufacturing/operations.
• Deep knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma in the field of operations.
• Experience in a line leadership role in manufacturing at site or department level.
• Ideally have led a production unit along the CI journey in a major CPG or FMCG company with successful results
• Know the external benchmark for what world class operations is and how to get there
• Ideally has led an international & dispersed team of operations professionals in a group or corporate role

We Bring:

• A unique opportunity to shape the future of the dsm-firmenich Continuous Improvement system with a team of fellow experts
• A unique chance to lead the Operational Excellence journey of around 100 sites from differing start points in different factory types
• A chance to work with a diverse range of countries and cultures to grow your experience in leading global initiatives
• A chance to interface directly with the business units and learn about their businesses and challenges and be part of the solution
• A culture that prioritizes safety and well-being, both physically and mentally

About dsm-firmenich

At dsm-firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations – we go beyond them.

Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.

From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.

And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They’re essential to our future. 

Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.

DEI and equal opportunity statement

At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.

Agency statement

We’re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.