Latvia Manufacturing Director Food Ingredients, Starches, Protein m/f/d

• My client — a leading European producer of organic potato starch, plant protein concentrates, specialty flours and B2C products — is strengthening its leadership team.
• We are looking for an experienced Manufacturing Director who will take full responsibility for production operations, drive Lean transformation, and ensure world‑class efficiency, safety, and quality across the factory in Latvia.
• the plant is location at the country side outside of Riga
• This is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the CEO.

Latvia is a modern, safe, and fast‑developing EU member state located on the Baltic Sea, known for its clean environment, stable economy, and high quality of life. The country combines Nordic work culture with ** Central European accessibility **, making it an attractive destination for international professionals.

Riga adds an extra spark to this opportunity: a vibrant Baltic capital with a dynamic cultural scene, modern business infrastructure, and an excellent quality of life. It’s an inspiring base for a role that engages with global customers and contributes to a company known for its sustainable ingredient portfolio across human and animal nutrition categories

Tasks

As **Manufacturing Director , you will lead all production‑related functions — including ** manufacturing, warehousing, maintenance, factory services, and production administration — with a clear focus on:

• Safety
• OEE improvement
• Yield optimization
• Waste & rework reduction
• Productivity & cost efficiency

You will be the driving force behind Lean implementation and continuous improvement across all production lines.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Ensure production targets are met in quality, quantity, and efficiency
• Lead a team of 7 production administrators and ** 35+ factory employees**
• Review production KPIs and ensure compliance with safety, quality, financial and delivery standards
• Maintain a safe working environment in collaboration with EHS teams

Continuous Improvement & Lean

• Lead Lean implementation across the plant
• Identify system‑wide productivity opportunities
• Drive high‑impact productivity projects with measurable financial results
• Ensure productivity processes become core business processes

Strategic & Technical Leadership

• Support long‑term operational planning and technology upgrades
• Co‑lead equipment purchasing, maintenance, and layout optimization
• Work closely with the CFO on operating budgets (>€2M scope)
• Deliver progress and performance reports to the CEO

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work in a matrix structure with Planning & Efficiency Director
• Co‑responsible for PPA (Production Plan Accuracy) and ** PPC (Production Plan Conformance)**
• Align with business partners to enable key initiatives

Key KPIs

• Safety
• Quality
• Rework & waste
• OEE improvement
• Production variable costs (€/t, man‑hours/t)
• Production plan accuracy & conformance

Requirements

What You Bring

• 5+ years in operations management or ** technical manufacturing leadership**
• Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering preferred); Master’s degree a plus
• Proven experience managing budgets > €2M
• Strong leadership personality; able to lead change, hire & fire when needed
• Lean / Six Sigma Black Belt strongly preferred
• Excellent communication skills in **English **; Latvian/Russian a plus
• Ability to thrive in a high‑pressure, fast‑moving environment
• Hands‑on leadership style — leading by example