CRH, headquarted in Ireland, is the world’s leading construction materials business and listed in London, Dublin and New York. Having grown from its Irish roots the business has completed more than 1,000 acquisitions since 1970 and today has revenues of $27.6b and EBITDA of $4.6b spread across three divisions with extensive exposure to developed world economies
This opportunity sits within the Group’s Building Products division which has revenues of $7.2b and EBITDA of $1.2b. Within Building Products CRH has a global infrastructure business division (IPG) focused on supporting customers with products and solutions for Communications, Energy, Water and Transportation markets in North America, Europe and Australia.
The Infrastructure Products Europe division (IPE) operates in the UK and Ireland, Benelux, Germany, France and the Nordics and has approximately $150m in revenue. The current business has grown out of a £6m investment in 2006 and has experienced both strong organic and acquisition growth since becoming part of CRH. There are three companies operating within the platform today; Cubis-Systems, Filoform and NAL ltd. Today these businesses are being transitioned into a single customer focused platform with a view to growing sales via cross selling and leveraging of each of the business’ positions in different geographic and product markets.
The culture within IPE, with approximately 600 employees, can be best described as flexible and informal, operating locally with a degree of autonomy to execute the agreed strategy. IPE stimulates taking personal responsibility and initiative; within the set frameworks, employees have the space to take decisions independently and to develop themselves further. This is also stimulated by the parent company CRH.
IPE is historically very dependent on the UK market and will invest further in growing the continental European business with Filoform as its core foundation both from a revenue and culture perspective in these markets. The focus for growth will be in Germany and France with additional growth to come from the Nordic and Benelux region.
In order to realize the targeted growth CRH IPE is seeking for experienced and qualified candidates for the position of:
Operations Director
This role will be key to the strategic growth and development of IPE with operational responsibility for sites in the Netherlands, Germany and France including directing and leading all safety and operational activities on-site, leadership and direction to all off-site operations, ensuring safe and efficient installations and support activities, being a key member of the management team by helping shape the existing and future direction of the business.
The Operations Director will report to the Operations Director IPE. The operations teams in France, Germany and Benelux will report direct to the Operations Director.
Tasks & Responsibilities
- Formulate and deliver strategies to stimulate innovation in operational processes to increase business competitiveness.
- Drive vision of operational excellence and develop operating culture to be customer focussed.
- Work with Director of Operations and wider Director team to formulate and deliver annual strategic targets.
- Implement and lead continuous improvement programme to drive operational effectiveness
- Deliver world class H&S management.
- Work closely with the Director of Operations and HR Director to ensure efficient operation of the sites in accordance with all relevant laws and company policies.
- Review, maintain and optimise manufacturing and logistical footprint to service the continued growth of the organisation.
- Manage all operational costs and overheads and report on agreed operational performance indicators.
- Management of all quality and environmental standards including maintain associated accreditations to support the on-going development of the business.
- Collaborate with the wider company and Group to share best practice and build a better business.
- Develop the cultures of the organisations, organise appropriate training to motivate employees and foster a culture of coaching within the organisation to develop the next tier of management through a succession plan.
- Participate in CRH Group best practice sessions and develop a network to drive benefits of OneCRH.
- Create CAPEX plans to drive the business to automation where applicable.
- Drive the roll-out of ERP systems, procedures and other management information systems within the business.
- Remain abreast of technological advances in equipment, processes or procedures and communicating this to the team.
- Create a strong customer service and quality culture at all levels. Review and approve equipment and other capital needs.
- Formal monthly reporting to the Director of Operations.
Candidate Profile
Obviously, the right candidate possesses:
- Significant experience of operating at a senior operations management level within an engineering and manufacturing environment.
- Background in setting and measuring KPIs, metrics, best practice assessments and performance management against these.
- Proven experience of developing and implementing manufacturing strategies and growing the operational activities
- Evidence of developing plans to increase capacity and improve delivery performance.
- Track record in managing organizational change and transfer of operations to include developing new production facilities and its personnel.
- Experience of closing and transferring production facilities.
- Must be mobile to undertake EU(rope) wide travel between IPE and Group CRH whilst at the same time withstanding the rigors of what will be a very high-profile position within the organisation.
Core competencies
- Self-starter, detail-orientated and results driven.
- Excellent numeric, planning and strategic skills
- First class communicator with engaging presentation style.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize
- Workload and perform multiple tasks in a structured, fast paced environment.
- Understands the role of a company director. Gravitas to operate at Board level and influence through strong communication skills, impactful messages and personal credibility.
- Collaborates effectively across the organisation and ensures others collaborate across departments
- Fits with existing management team but independently minded to challenge group thinking.
- Ensures focus on and execution of strategic goals.
- Continually assesses the business / global environment.
- Commercially minded with strong financial acumen.
- Ability to devise, manage and implement change programmes.
- Leadership ability to influence, develop and empower employees to achieve objectives with a team approach.
- Logical approach to researching and analysing opportunities.
Education: Bsc. Degree or equivalent in Production, Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
Experience: Minimum 5 years international supply chain experience. Experience in a continuous improvement methodology and Health and Safety.
Travel: Travel and mobility flexibility both within country and CRH.
Languages: Fluent in English, both verbal and in writing
