Technical Leader (to grow into MD role)

Technical Leader in machine building industry, to grow into MD role

The organisation

Our client is a Dutch, still family-owned world leader in solutions for the automatic packing of flexible and tough manageable packages. The company has over the years grown into a leader in design and manufacturing with locations in the Netherlands and the USA. Recently also Operations started in China and Brazil.  The entire company employs more than 250 employees of which approximately half are based in the USA. The total annual turnover is around €60 million. The case packing systems are delivered all over the world, especially for the food industry. Client’s strategic direction is focused on customer satisfaction and profitability, market leadership in selected product-market combinations, the use of simple and effective design and an open partnership with customers, employees, agents and suppliers. The US Headquarters are based in Virginia, USA and focus on engineering, manufacturing, sales and service. Client sees Engineering as a key contributor to further growth and development, leading both sustained engineering services and new product development. Furthermore our Client sees this as a step-up function to be prepared for the Managing Director (CEO) position of the US operations.

The position

Your challenge: working in the US ( in the beautiful state of Virginia) as the CEO for many years and supporting the expansion into new markets as e.g. South America and China.

As Technical Leader you are  responsible for new product development, ensuring a portfolio of highly competitive products, which are financially sustainable in a global market. Engineering ownership throughout the lifetime of the product. From a design point of view the key-player in the transformation-process , going from engineer-to-order towards configure-to-order. Initiating and subsequently leading process improvements throughout the company. Providing executive leadership to the project management process and organization (from sales process to installation). Responsibility for approximately 20 key-engineers (mechanical, electrical and software). You work closely with the CEO of the US organization, whom you will succeed after a certain time. In both functions, you report to the President.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Operational leadership of US-based engineering department including target setting and delivery
• Provide overall technical direction to all engineering functions within the company
• Develop new products and evaluate/upgrade present designs to meet current and future customer requirements. Push for innovation!
• Give leadership through KPI's and dashboard
• Support and improve project management process
• Communicate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders
• As CEO (later) overall responsible for all US based activities

Candidate profile

• Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering or equivalent. Master desirable
• Minimum of 10 years experience in a similar industry, designing high speed, highly automated machines
• Experience in managing projects and technical design
• Proven leader in Operations Mngt 
• Record of achievements in the design/engineering area
• Ability to work, live & enjoy in a non-European environment, meaning as a local tax-resident in the USA
• Proven ability to serve as role model as a leader of technology and an expert of the company
• Team leadership experience in a high tech environment
• Hands-on management-style with a sense of urgency towards the achievement of the objectives
• People skills reflecting a positive attitude towards individual contribution and potential
• Communication and cooperation skills on international level

Interested?

You can apply to this position by using the form below. For more information you can contact Rob de Ridder at +31 (0)6 81 00 09 79 or Harmen Stakenburg at +31 (0)6 19 91 25 82.