Element Breda has an opportunity for an Operations Manager. This role is based in Breda supporting both Breda and Antwerp sites.  The successful candidate must be a strong leader who ensures timely and accurate test results are delivered. They must be proficient in a number of core business skills including but not limited to compliance to established safety rules, code of conduct, and company policies and procedures.

These Laboratories perform tests for mostly large companies from different sectors, including energy, chemicals and steel. Our customers come to us to make sure that the materials and products they make or use have the properties they expect. Whether it is an oil pipeline or an aircraft wing: It is of great importance to be sure that the materials meet their requirements. Hence our motto ‘We make Certain’ and we could use your help with this!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensures that safety and quality standards are being met and maintained at all times within the company's safety, QA and people programs
• Under the direction of the General Manager, is responsible for directing, coordinating, facilitating and monitoring the daily activities of the lab operational department managers and supervisors.
• Stimulates a culture of continuous improvement and systematically seeks to achieve small, incremental changes in processes to improve efficiency and quality.
• Is responsible for and leads the location safety culture, performance and awareness initiatives driving to a culture of safety first.
• Drives a daily Safety Quality Delivery Cost People (SQDCP) and routine 5S scheme to support continuous improvement
• Provides and sets direction within the lab to ensure that production goals and customer expectations are consistently met in a safe, timely and cost-effective manner.
• Is responsible for the development of people within the team and the team as a whole
• Is able to effectively coach, inspire and communicate this understanding to both direct and indirect reports with the end result being an engaged and equipped workforce to meet customer needs on a daily basis.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Fully responsible and accountable to assigned direct reporting staff and to indirect departmental decisions to include hiring, performance management, and performance review decisions and execution, and approval of overtime and time cards.
• Work with assigned staff to ensure work schedules are maintained and balanced.
• Maintain an environment of respect and dignity within the department covering employee interactions and problem solving while ensuring work behavior rules are known and followed.

Qualifications/Education and/or Experience:

• Working knowledge of laboratory safety and quality (preferably 45001 and 17025 or similar)
• A BSc or similar in engineering or technical-related discipline
• Or, a minimum of 7 years of experience in a management role ideally with operations management experience gained in an accelerated-growth organization.
• Strong computer skills.

#LOther Skills and Abilities:

• Able, if necessary, to take on location leadership role in the event that GM is not present.
• Can handle all facets of running the lab.
• Technical leadership is vital to the production and operation of assigned tests.
• Must possess the ability to communicate (written and oral) effectively with clients and colleagues with great attention to detail and timing of results.
• Ability to organize department programs and supervise staff as well as multi task and work under strict time lines.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to effectively establish and maintain two-way communications to understand the needs and concerns of all departments.
• Works effectively with lab functional managers and supervisors to develop and maintain positive employee relations.
• Advises teams on any technical issues with regard to the successful and timely completion of daily work.
• May involve seeking outside input on difficult technical issues that arise.
• Seasoned in the understanding, use and implementation of Continuous Improvement disciplines such as Six Sigma, Kaizen, Lean Manufacturing, 5S, etc.
• Serves as key member of and contributor to, the lab's leadership team in the development and implementation of the lab's strategic direction.
• Key contributor in terms of establishing priorities and allocating resources to ensure that the lab runs smoothly and efficiently.
• Strong project management, analytical and problem solving skills provide go-to insight in the daily efficient operation of the lab.
• Has proven track record of success with regard to technical competency both inside and outside of the lab.
• Is aware of cultural differences and open to drive a culture of inclusion

Is regarded, trusted by lab leaders, peers and members of the various departments as go-to person for feedback, guidance and direction on any and all related technical issues

Element is een van de snelst groeiende test-, inspectie- en certificeringsbedrijven ter wereld. Wereldwijd werken er bij Element meer dan 9.000 experts vanuit ruim 270 locaties in 30 landen. Samen delen we een ambitieus doel om 'morgen veiliger te maken dan vandaag'.

Wanneer een storing tijdens gebruik geen optie is, helpen we klanten ervoor te zorgen dat hun producten, materialen, processen en diensten veilig, conform en geschikt voor het beoogde doel zijn. Van de ontwikkelingsfase tot de complexe wettelijke goedkeuringen en productie, ons wereldwijde laboratoriumnetwerk van wetenschappers, ingenieurs en technici ondersteunt klanten bij het verkrijgen van zekerheid over productkwaliteit, duurzame resultaten en markttoegang.

Hoewel we trots zijn op ons wereldwijde bereik, voelt werken bij Element alsof je deel uitmaakt van een kleiner bedrijf. Wij geven u de mogelijkheid om uw carrière in eigen hand te nemen en belonen uitmuntendheid en integriteit met groei en ontwikkeling.

Industrieën over de hele wereld zijn afhankelijk van onze zorg, aandacht voor detail en de absolute nauwkeurigheid van ons werk. De rol die wij te spelen hebben in het creëren van een veiliger wereld is veel breder dan onze organisatie.

Bij Element zijn we er altijd trots op onze mensen op de eerste plaats te zetten. Wij zijn een werkgever die gelijke kansen biedt en diversiteit en inclusie beschouwt als fundamenteel voor onze visie om "the world's most trusted testing partner" te worden.

Alle geschikte kandidaten worden in aanmerking genomen voor een dienstverband op basis van objectieve werkgerelateerde criteria en zonder rekening te houden met de volgende kenmerken: leeftijd, handicap, etnische afkomst, geslacht, burgerlijke staat, ras, religie, verantwoordelijkheid voor afhankelijke personen, seksuele geaardheid, of genderidentiteit of andere kenmerken in overeenstemming met de toepasselijke wetgeving.