Operations Manager – Europe

Amsterdam, Netherlands | Full-Time

Supply Chain Solutions Europe is seeking an exceptional Operations Manager to join our European leadership team.

As part of a privately owned global logistics and supply chain company with its own operations and distribution facilities in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States, you will be joining a business that combines the agility of an independently owned company with the scale and opportunities of an international organisation. 

Our business was built on New Zealand values: practical leadership, accountability, hard work, integrity and leading from the front.

Those principles continue to shape the way we operate today.

We are looking for an experienced operations professional who shares those values and enjoys building high-performing teams, improving operational performance and making a measurable difference to the business.

If you have built your career within European logistics and still believe the best operational leaders earn respect by rolling up their sleeves, this could be the right opportunity for you.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the senior European leadership team, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day management and performance of our European distribution centre near Amsterdam.

This is not a purely desk-based management position.

We are looking for someone who enjoys being present within the operation, solving problems on the warehouse floor, coaching Team Leaders, improving systems and building a disciplined, accountable and engaged workforce.

You will be responsible for translating business strategy into consistent operational delivery.

Your success will be measured through service performance, productivity, inventory accuracy, employee development, customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.

The role sits below executive level and is designed for an experienced Operations Manager who wants genuine responsibility, autonomy and the opportunity to influence the future development of a growing European operation.

Key Responsibilities

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the daily warehouse and fulfilment operation from the floor.
• Managing and developing Team Leaders, operational employees and temps.
• Ensuring customer orders are processed accurately and within agreed service levels.
• Driving productivity, efficiency and labour performance.
• Monitoring and improving operational KPIs.
• Managing ecommerce, retail and B2B fulfilment workflows.
• Maintaining inventory accuracy and effective stock control.
• Supporting returns processing and value-added services.
• Planning labour requirements against forecast volumes and customer demand.
• Improving warehouse layouts, workflows and resource utilisation.
• Leading Health and Safety standards and operational compliance.
• Identifying and eliminating operational waste.
• Implementing continuous improvement and LEAN initiatives.
• Investigating service failures and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
• Building strong relationships with customers, colleagues and international stakeholders.
• Supporting new customer implementations and operational projects.
• Creating a culture of ownership, accountability and teamwork.
• Providing clear, accurate and timely operational reporting.

About You

You will already have substantial operational management experience within European warehousing, fulfilment, distribution or third-party logistics.

You understand the realities of managing a fast-paced operation where customer expectations are high, priorities can change quickly and strong leadership is essential.

You are comfortable analysing performance data, but you also understand that reports alone do not improve an operation.

You know that successful leadership requires visibility, communication, discipline and consistent follow-through.

You will be:

• Practical and solutions-focused.
• Comfortable making decisions and taking ownership.
• Calm and structured under pressure.
• Highly organised and operationally disciplined.
• Commercially aware and customer-focused.
• Confident challenging inefficient processes.
• Comfortable holding people accountable for agreed standards.
• Passionate about coaching and developing employees.
• A leader who earns respect by working alongside the team.
• Focused on continuous improvement rather than accepting established practices.
• Honest, direct and professional in your communication.
• Comfortable operating within a multicultural European workplace.
• Motivated by results rather than hierarchy or job title.

What we offer

We offer:

• A genuine operational leadership position within a growing international business.
• Significant autonomy and responsibility.
• Direct access to senior European leadership.
• The opportunity to influence operational strategy and business development.
• A competitive salary package.
• The right candidate Base salary €65k plus €15k incentive bonus
• Performance-based incentives.
• Long-term professional development.
• Exposure to international customers and global supply chain operations.
• Opportunities to contribute to projects across Europe, North America and Australasia.
• A stable, privately owned business with a long-term outlook.
• A workplace where practical leadership and operational results are genuinely valued.
  

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to join an international organisation without becoming lost inside a large corporate structure.

You will have the freedom to make decisions, improve the operation and see the direct impact of your work.

As our business continues to expand internationally, outstanding performers will have opportunities to contribute to projects and leadership initiatives across our global operations in Europe, North America and Australasia.

We are looking for someone who wants more than another management title.

We want an Operations Manager who takes pride in developing people, improving performance and creating an operation that customers and employees can rely on.

If you have built your operational career in Europe and believe the best leaders earn respect through action, accountability and leading from the front, we would like to hear from you.