Global Head of Centre of Excellence

Head of Centre of Excellence (CoE)

Read on to fully understand what this job requires in terms of skills and experience If you are a good match, make an application.

Global Role | Manufacturing & Operational Excellence

Global role

Based out of the UK, France or Netherlands

50% European travel to other client sites

Pharmaceutical or food manufacturing industry experience

We are seeking an accomplished Head of Centre of Excellence (CoE) for a global food/ consumer goods manufacturing client. This role will lead and evolve a global function spanning Capital Expenditure (CAPEX), Operational Excellence (OPEX), Packaging, OT and Change Management Excellence.

This is a senior, high-impact leadership role with global scope, responsible for shaping strategy, driving execution and delivering measurable value across manufacturing and supply chain operations.

The Role:

As Head of CoE, you will design and deliver the CoE strategy in line with divisional objectives, ensuring best‑in‑class practices, strong governance, and tangible business benefits. You will act as a key bridge between the CoEs and senior divisional leadership across Operations and Commercial teams.

Leading a global organisation of approximately 12 direct reports, you will be accountable for optimising resources, managing budgets, steering strategic initiatives, and embedding continuous improvement at scale.

Key Responsibilities:

People Leadership

• Lead, develop and inspire global and regional CoE leaders
• Build robust succession plans and talent pipelines in partnership with HR
• Align objectives, performance management and development plans with divisional goals

Budget & Value Management

• Own and manage the CoE expense budget, including planning, monitoring and optimisation
• Ensure delivery of CoE value cases, identifying risks and driving corrective actions where required

Operational Excellence & Performance

• Define and embed engineering, industrialisation and continuous improvement best practices
• Benchmark against industry standards and introduce innovative approaches
• Actively participate in improvement initiatives through hands-on engagement

Strategy, Governance & Stakeholder Management

• Co-create and align a 3–5 year strategic roadmap covering investments, resources and value creation
• Expand the CoE value proposition and service catalogue, integrating cross-functional processes
• Represent the CoEs in senior governance forums and strategic discussions
• Steer execution of major strategic projects across global and divisional environments

About You:

Experience & Background

• 20+ years’ experience in manufacturing xwzovoh operations and/or supply chain
• Experience within the pharmaceutical or food manufacturing industry
• 8–12 years’ experience leading large, complex organisations
• Proven track record of delivering large-scale transformation and operational excellence

Education

• MBA or Master’s degree in Engineering or Science (preferred)

Skills & Expertise

• Deep knowledge of World Class Manufacturing, LEAN and Six Sigma
• Strong understanding of product industrialisation and process/system redesign
• Solid financial acumen across CAPEX and OPEX
• Fluent business English (written and verbal)

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic and visionary mindset
• Strong results orientation and customer focus
• Ability to manage ambiguity and balance multiple stakeholders
• Inspires purpose, drives performance and builds alignment at senior levels