Continuous Improvement & Operations Manager - Utrecht
Key Skills
Job Description
As an Continuous Improvement & Operations Manager at Picnic, you establish stable, high-performance processes and continuously improve them using data and clear KPIs. You own the day-to-day performance of your area, lead multiple shifts and teams, and translate analysis into concrete actions that improve safety, quality, and productivity. Through hands-on leadership and strong process discipline, you turn insights into consistent execution on the floor.
Tricks of the trade
- Lead daily operations: Supervise 1 shift on the floor each week, and use insight to drive process improvements and operational excellence
- Area ownership: Own day-to-day and weekly performance of your area (inbound or outbound), delivering on safety, quality, productivity, and delivery KPIs.
- Hands-on Leadership: Lead teams across multiple shifts, driving engagement, retention, and strong captain leadership on the floor.
- Incident & Planning Management: Handle major incidents, set productivity inputs, and manage planning escalations when needed.
- Continuous Improvement: Lead improvement initiatives and support Lean activities that remove friction from daily operations.
- Performance Management: Drive shift-level results on delivery capacity, UPH, cost, completeness, timeliness, and perfect deliveries.
What you bring
- Master’s degree in relevant field
- 3+ years Supply Chain experience
- Comfortable managing high-volume, high-SKU workflows
- Strong analytical skills, with a high level of competence in data analysis tools
- Familiarity with Lean and continuous improvement initiatives
- Fluent in English, Dutch is preferred
- Hands-on experience in automated/semi-automated/manual fulfilment
- Lean/continuous improvement experience
- Proven ability to lead teams
- Location Flexible: We have sites throughout the Netherlands in the following locations; Utrecht, Eindhoven, Rotterdam, Heerenveen, Zwolle, Nijmegen, and Geldermalsen. During your application we will consider together which site makes most sense for you to begin your journey at Picnic. We are a fast-paced, growing company and due to this we require location flexibility from our Operations team.
Picnic perks
You'll receive a competitive compensation package, including:
- 25 vacation days per year to recharge your batteries
- The option to lease a car
- You’ll get freshly prepared, healthy breakfast, lunches (and dinner at the FC) as well as delicious snacks and drinks available at all Picnic locations
- A flexible company pension plan called “Doenpensioen” at a.s.r.
- Picnic laptop and smartphone
- An awesome scale-up atmosphere with the freedom to drive your own projects and the opportunity to have an impact!
- The chance to work in an international environment with motivated team members & legendary company events
- Many internal learning and development possibilities as well as professional soft skill & leadership trainings at a specialized external party
- We have Fulfilment Centres across The Netherlands in the following locations: Utrecht, Ridderkerk, Berkel en Rodenrijs, Dordrecht, Eindhoven, Zwolle, Heerenveen, Geldermalsen.
Core Responsibilities
The Continuous Improvement & Operations Manager oversees daily operations, including safety, quality, and productivity KPIs across multiple shifts. They lead improvement initiatives and use data-driven insights to optimize fulfilment processes and team performance.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Master's degree and possess at least 3 years of experience in supply chain management. Proficiency in Lean methodologies, data analysis tools, and proven team leadership capabilities are essential.
Benefits
- Vacation days
- Lease car
- Healthy breakfast
- Healthy lunch
- Healthy dinner
- Snacks and drinks
- Flexible company pension plan
- Laptop
- Smartphone
- Learning and development possibilities
- Professional soft skill training
- Leadership training
About Picnic
Industry: Retail
Company size: 5,001-10,000 employees
At Picnic, we’re a team of inventors, builders, dreamers, and best-in-class operators! With our app-only business model and custom-built in-house supply chain, we're revolutionizing the way people buy groceries and eat every day. We're growing across the Netherlands, Germany, France, and beyond. One of the things that makes Picnic different is that we handle almost everything ourselves: from forecasting and building automated warehouses to designing custom electric vehicles and writing our own software. It gives us total freedom to experiment with bold, new ideas (which we do a lot!). We love to challenge ourselves and learn by doing. The best way to grow here? By taking ownership from day one and pushing boundaries every single day. As a diverse team of over 85 nationalities, there’s always something happening - whether you’re into sports, board games, charity work, dancing at our legendary Picnic festival, or licorice tasting (yes, really!). Our scale-up culture means you get to own your work and bring fresh ideas to life. If you’re looking to make a real impact, reach out. We’d love to hear from you!