Job Description
We are hiring a Director for our client Biowanze
(biowanze.be)
Biowanze s.a. is currently recruiting a Director to lead and develop our innovative biorefinery Biowanze located at in Wanze (Belgium), part of CropEnergies and Sudzucker Group. This is an exciting opportunity as you will be joining a first in class operation's unit converting biomass into several high value products (food, feed, energies, CO2, fertilizer, biofuel) based on a carbon neutral set-up. The operation's unit is a year-round continuous operation running plant, classified Seveso level 2.
The purpose of the job is to ensure and maintain the safe and reliable operation of the site, with the goal of achieving zero EHS events, maximum production volume and compliance with product specifications. You will represent Biowanze as a reliable partner to employees, the local community, the social partners and regulatory authorities, contributing to the company's mission to be the most trusted partner for customers, delivering sustainable products made from biomass. Last but not least, you will be pivotal in the strategic development for the future of the site together with Corporate Departments.
In this role, you will be leading a total of 145 colleagues and around 35 external subcontractors. You will be supported internally by an experienced Biowanze steering committee (CoPi) and also by the CropEnergies Corporate function.
Environment, Health, Safety
- Ensure that EHS is at the forefront of everything people do, emphasizing a safety-first culture.
- Achieve zero EHS events, maximize production volume, and ensure that all materials produced are within specification.
- Implement and maintain strong safety protocols.
Operation's Excellence
- Drive continuous improvement in safety, quality, production, maintenance overhauls and investments to ensure operational excellence.
- Ensure sustainable operations and budget compliance while maintaining high quality production.
- Drive plant optimization to ensure fixed and variable costs are minimized and optimized.
Legals
- Ensure the site maintains its license to operate and maintains good relations with neighbors and regulators.
- Lead the Works Council, the Safety Committee (CPPT) and the Union's relations.
Leadership
- Inspire employee engagement and exceptional performance and create a competitive work environment that motivates employees to go above and beyond - Ensure the site is the place to be for employees.
- Establish and maintain an atmosphere of trust, accountability and transparency at the site, upholding commitments made to partners.
- Ensure effective communication between the site and corporate functions.
- Manage KPI reporting and improvement.
- Manage the documentation related to the production activities, ensuring that all records are accurate, complete and up to date.
Investments
- Lead the capital plan (investments, cash flow, project full life cycle).
- Contribute to strategical development of the site in line with CE & SZ Group strategy.
- Proficiency in the field of chemical engineering or closely related technical discipline.
- Understanding of and adherence to legal requirements for operating a feed, food and chemical site classified as Seveso level 2. Safety level 1 or level 2 certificate is an asset.
- Specialization in at least one technical field related to plant operations, such as safe chemical plant operations, distillation design and operation, materials science, energy generation or similar areas.
- Proficiency with MS Office applications.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in working with inspiring and leading diverse teams to ensure regulatory compliance and plant efficiency while fostering an inspiring work environment.
- Resilience under pressure and stress, maintaining calmness and decisiveness.
- Engagement in competitive thinking, focused on continuous improvement and growth, driving the plant towards higher achievements.
- Experience with full year running operation's unit (24/24, 7/7, 365 d/y) is an asset.
- Ability to negotiate and achieve targets with participative management.
- Live within a +/- 45' range of the factory or be willing to relocate.
- Possess a mother tongue level of French (spoken and written) as well as an excellent level of English.
- A very interesting function with real responsibilities in a cutting-edge Belgian factory within a strong European Group;
- A competitive remuneration package, including company car and other benefits;
- A company culture which has respect for the individual and a healthy work-life balance;
- The opportunity to contribute to and be part of a growing business that is helping industry and society to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly.