Junior Operations Manager

About the role

We are seeking a motivated Junior Operations Manager to support plant operations at our client’s PET recycling and packaging facilities in the Milan and Turin area. The role focuses on safety, quality, delivery performance and cost efficiency while fostering a lean culture.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and control plant operations with a focus on safety, quality, delivery performance and costs.
• Implement and continuously develop a sustainable lean culture in production and indirect areas.
• Improve efficiency, productivity and quality of plant processes and management systems.
• Lead and support cross‑functional projects at plant level.
• Train and coach employees in lean methods and tools, supporting practical application.
• Analyse, design and implement improvements along the value stream in cooperation with relevant interfaces.

Required profile

• University degree with solid business knowledge.
• In‑depth know‑how in the plastics processing industry and in production and supply‑chain processes.
• Sound knowledge of project management, value‑creation processes and process‑optimisation methods (e.g., Kaizen, CIP/KVP, SMED, TPM, 5S, Poka Yoke, Kanban).
• Strong social competence and ability to motivate employees.
• Pragmatic working style with assertiveness, conceptual and analytical skills, and strong implementation capability.
• Very good organisational skills and solution orientation.
• High level of commitment and self‑motivation.

Required skills

• Kaizen
• CIP/KVP
• SMED
• TPM
• 5S
• Poka Yoke
• Kanban
• Plastics processing
• Project management

What we offer

• Competitive compensation package.
• Opportunity to work in a multinational environment focused on sustainability.
• Professional development in lean manufacturing.