Operational Team Manager
Vlaams-Brabant
Open-ended
Executive search
Are you an experienced operational people manager who thrives on planning, making adjustments, and leading teams in a fast-paced environment? Do you feel at home in a setting where structure, process improvement, and execution go hand in hand, and where decisions have a tangible impact?
We are seeking an Operations Team Manager for Projects for an organization active in waste and environmental services. In this role, you will lead a department on a daily basis that rolls out large-scale operational projects for public clients in Flanders and the Netherlands.
The department is responsible for end-to-end processes such as the placement, replacement, and chipping of containers, logistical coordination, and communication with citizens and customers. These are high-volume projects with tight deadlines and clear social relevance.
This is emphatically not a traditional project manager role. You will not manage a single project from start to finish yourself, but will lead the team that prepares and executes these projects. We are looking for a manager who maintains an overview, brings calm and structure to a historically highly operational context, and further professionalizes operations step by step, while maintaining a close connection with the front lines.
We are seeking an Operations Team Manager for Projects for an organization active in waste and environmental services. In this role, you will lead a department on a daily basis that rolls out large-scale operational projects for public clients in Flanders and the Netherlands.
The department is responsible for end-to-end processes such as the placement, replacement, and chipping of containers, logistical coordination, and communication with citizens and customers. These are high-volume projects with tight deadlines and clear social relevance.
This is emphatically not a traditional project manager role. You will not manage a single project from start to finish yourself, but will lead the team that prepares and executes these projects. We are looking for a manager who maintains an overview, brings calm and structure to a historically highly operational context, and further professionalizes operations step by step, while maintaining a close connection with the front lines.
Description
You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Operations Projects department and will oversee all ongoing and planned projects. You will report to the site manager and directly supervise a team of about ten employees (planners, administrative and support staff). Depending on the workload, additional field teams (30+ technicians) will fall under your responsibility through supervisors.You ensure clear priorities, achievable schedules, and smooth collaboration between people, resources, and processes. Specifically, you are responsible for:
- the day-to-day management and coordination of the department;
- overseeing and managing all current and future projects;
- creating and monitoring realistic schedules (people, resources, timing);
- serving as the primary point of contact for clients during project execution, including leading kick-off meetings;
- budget monitoring, post-project cost analysis, and providing input for invoicing and reporting;
- coaching and mentoring planners and administrative staff;
- monitoring workload, priorities, and collaboration within the team;
- structuring, documenting, and improving processes and work methods;
- actively contributing to further professionalization, tooling, and process optimization;
- providing substantive support for proposals and contributing ideas regarding additional services;
- reporting to management and acting as a full-fledged sparring partner.
Your profile
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree, or equivalent experience.
- At least 10 years of experience in a technical/operational context.
- Strong people manager with experience in changing or less structured environments.
- Analytical and pragmatic; always stays in touch with the shop floor.
- Strong communicator, persuasive, and able to handle stress.
- The team is Dutch-speaking, so excellent knowledge of Dutch is a must; knowledge of French/English is a plus.
- Experience with ERP, planning, and administrative tools.
- Open-minded attitude toward digitalization and process improvement.
Offer
- Monthly salary indication: € 1501 - € 6500
Compensation is based on experience and includes a company car, group insurance, and other standard benefits. You will work a 40-hour week with 12 days of compensatory time off. Limited remote work is possible, but a strong presence on the work floor is certainly important during the startup phase. Flexibility is expected during peak periods or when operational needs arise.
Most activities are based in Flanders, with occasional projects in the Netherlands.
