Assembly Manager

Lead the teams that build the future of food processing.

JBT Marel is a global leader in food processing technology, committed to transforming the industry through innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. Our teams work across borders to design and build solutions that help produce food safely, efficiently, and responsibly. We are looking for an experienced and driven Assembly Supervisor to lead our assembly team (46 direct reports) at our facility in Lichtenvoorde, Netherlands.

What You'll Be Doing

Leadership

• Manage and lead a team of assembly team leaders, setting a clear direction and high standards
• Act as a role model by embodying company values, rules, and standards—and ensuring others follow them
• Allocate tasks and responsibilities thoughtfully, accounting for team priorities and individual competencies
• Monitor progress and quality across the assembly floor, taking action where needed
• Develop, encourage, and motivate employees to reach their full potential
• Provide regular, constructive feedback on performance, attitude, and behaviour
• Carry out HR activities within your area of responsibility, including employee selection and onboarding
• Contribute to decisions on individual employment conditions and carry out performance assessment and evaluation interviews
• Foster a culture of personal responsibility and initiative—giving teams the freedom and trust to succeed

Management & Organisation

• Create the framework and conditions that enable employees and teams to achieve set objectives
• Draw up, implement, and monitor the Assembly plan on an ongoing basis
• Track and analyse operational KPIs, initiating corrective and preventative measures as required
• Submit improvement plans to management for approval and supervise their execution
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction, productivity, quality, and supply performance
• Ensure Assembly is positioned to support the innovation process
• Maintain a safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible working environment
• Coordinate effectively with other operational managers to ensure smooth cross-departmental collaboration
• Allocate resources—people, materials, skills, and budget—to optimise assembly processes and meet quality and delivery targets
• Manage sickness absenteeism and oversee employee reintegration with care
• Supervise trainees and maintain relationships with relevant educational institutions

Policy & Advice

• Communicate and promote company policy clearly, acting as an ambassador for the organisation's vision and direction
• Set a clear focus, formulate realistic targets, manage expectations, and follow through on consequences
• Provide operational input to the Director of Operations and implement initiatives from the medium-term strategy
• Make proposals for improvements to production resources, covering maintenance, repairs, and investments

About You

You are a decisive, people-oriented leader with a passion for operational excellence. You thrive in a hands-on manufacturing environment and know how to bring out the best in the people around you. You lead by example, balance firmness with empathy, and keep both quality and people at the heart of everything you do.

You'll bring:

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with a natural ability to motivate teams
• A structured, organised approach to managing complex, fast-moving production environments
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to build relationships across departments and disciplines
• Clear and confident communication, including the ability to give honest feedback constructively
• A proactive, solution-focused approach—comfortable making decisions under pressure
• Commitment to continuous improvement and an eye for inefficiency

Experience & Education

• Proven experience in a supervisory or management role within a manufacturing, assembly, or production environment
• A track record of leading and developing teams effectively, ideally in a technical or industrial setting
• Experience working in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment with a strong project-driven focus.
• Experience with operational planning, KPI management, and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, 5S, or similar)
• Familiarity with HR processes including performance reviews, absenteeism management, and employee development
• A relevant technical, engineering, or operations management background is preferred
• Experience working in cross-functional or international environments is an advantage

What's in It for You

• A leadership role with genuine impact—shaping how our assembly teams work and grow
• The opportunity to drive operational improvements that have real, measurable results
• Collaboration with international teams across a global organisation
• A supportive, team-oriented working environment where initiative is valued
• Opportunities to develop your skills and progress your career within JBT Marel
• The chance to contribute to cutting-edge food processing solutions that make a difference

Who We Are

JBT Marel is a global leader in food processing technology, committed to transforming the industry through innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. Our teams work across borders to design solutions that help produce food safely, efficiently, and responsibly.

Interested?

If you're ready to lead with purpose and make your mark on a global production team, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help us build the future of food production—one team at a time.

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