Company Description

As a global key player in yeasts and fermentation, Lesaffre designs, manufactures and markets innovative solutions for Baking, Food taste & pleasure, Health care and Biotechnology.
Family group born in northern France in 1853, now a multi-national and a multicultural company, Lesaffre is committed to working with confidence to better nourish and protect the planet.
In close collaboration with its clients and partners, Lesaffre employs 11 000 people in more than 50 countries.
Lesaffre achieves a turnover of 3 billion euros.                                  

Biospringer, as a Business Unit of Lesaffre, is a key player and global producer of natural origin yeast ingredients for the food industry. 
Its comprehensive products range includes yeast extracts, dried food yeasts, yeast-based flavors and more.           

Biospringer offers solutions to improve the flavor profile of recipes and participate in the development of healthier everyday consumers' products. With 8 productions plants, a network of commercial teams and Culinary centers around the world and a team of technologists and R&D, Biospringer brings taste and pleasure to consumers. 

Job Description

Lesaffre is seeking a highly skilled Manufacturing Excellence Leader for our Business Unit Biospringer. This position is a key role in driving continuous improvement and Industry 4.0 initiatives across the global manufacturing network of our BU (9 plants across Europe, the USA, Brazil, and China).

Based in our Headquarter in Marcq, you will report directly to the Industrial Director of Biospringer and you will have a dotted line reporting relationship with the Industrial Performance Group Director. Together, you will  support teams across the manufacturing and operational excellence functions. You will have to travel frequently to our plant sites across the world. 

Main Missions:

• Ensure safety is the top priority within the scope of responsibility, fostering a strong safety awareness and mindset : There is no higher priority than safety at Lesaffre.
• Lead the deployment of the Lesaffre Global Performance System (GPS) across the Yeast Extract manufacturing network globally.
• Develop a global Excellence roadmap for the Yeast Extract network, in collaboration with the Global Industrial Director and the Group Industrial Performance Director.
• Lead, challenge, and monitor the deployment of Operation Progress Plans per plant and region.
• Standardize and apply Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across the manufacturing network.
• Support local operations and quality teams on operational quality aspects and control.
• Lead the local team in building a clear roadmap related to Industry 4.0.
• Support global and local teams in selecting and validating robust technical solutions in the field of Industry 4.0.
• Support industrial digitalization initiatives at both global and local levels.
• Define, monitor, and communicate clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to continuous improvements and progress plans.
• Facilitate the global network on operational excellence, enabling the sharing of best practices, successes, and issues across regions and plants.
• Support and coordinate the budgeting of specific projects related to continuous improvement and/or Industry 4.0.
• Support local teams in developing, applying, and improving their respective Service Level Agreements, in coordination with the group.
• Lead local teams and support the group in setting up processes locally when integrating new facilities or new business pertaining to yeast derivatives activities.

Education:

• Master's degree in engineering, industrial engineering, or mechanical engineering.

Experience:

• 5 to 10 years of experience in a similar function (continuous improvement, lean, excellence) gained in a production environment, preferably in the food and/or biotech industries.
• Multicultural experience and matrix management experience.
• Experience in Industry 4.0 projects.
• Strong knowledge of lean/continuous improvement methodologies and proven track record in project management and continuous improvement deployment.
• Active experience in production and technical processes, particularly in fermentation and biotech processes.

Skills :

• Fluent in English and French.
• Highly innovative, analytical, and able to take risks with a pioneering spirit.
• Skilled in avoiding silos and promoting collaboration across regions, departments, and functions.
• Able to develop networking and matrix processes.

Additional Information

What can Lesaffre offer you :

• Join a family business rich in a long history with human-oriented values with a mission: To Nourish and Protect our Planet, 
• Evolve in an enriching work environment and a multicultural context 

At Lesaffre, diversity is a strength that enriches our culture and our teams. We are committed to offering you a work environment where you can thrive, regardless of your background, gender, age or abilities. We encourage all applications, as we believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our ability to innovate and meet the challenges of tomorrow.