Who we are:
IRCA Group, an Advent portfolio company, was founded in Italy in ****, and it is a leading international B2B provider of high-quality semi-finished ingredients such as chocolate, decorations, creams, inclusions, nuts and pistachios, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, and other essential solutions for industrial clients or other independent artisanal producers.
With more than ***** employees, 19 production facilities worldwide, and €1.4 billion in revenues, IRCA Group has a solid track record of growth and international expansion.
What do we offer:
A dynamic, multicultural, and inclusive environment with exposure to global projects and stakeholders
The opportunity to shape and lead a transformational Continuous Improvement journey at a global scale
International career development opportunities
Exposure to senior leadership and the possibility to influence strategic business decisions
The role:
We are looking for an experienced and results-driven
Global Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence Director
to lead the design, deployment, and sustainability of IRCA Group's global
Continuous Improvement (CI) strategy
.
Reporting to the Global COO, the successful candidate will define and drive the Group's
CI roadmap
, embedding a culture of
operational excellence
across manufacturing sites and supply chain operations. The role will be instrumental in delivering
productivity improvements, cost savings, capability building, and cultural transformation
throughout the organization.
We are seeking a highly motivated CI leader with proven experience in implementing
global Continuous Improvement programs
within international manufacturing environments, ideally through
TPM, IWS, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma
, or similar methodologies.
The selected candidate will lead the development and execution of the company's
mid-to-long-term CI strategy
across the end-to-end supply chain, while supporting the delivery of current performance improvement and savings initiatives. They will be accountable for the overall success of the CI program, ensuring that a
continuous improvement mindset and culture become embedded in the daily operations
of the organization.
Working closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, R&D;, HR, Finance, and Plant Leadership teams, the Global Continuous Improvement Director will drive sustainable performance improvement and support the achievement of IRCA Group's strategic objectives.
The position is preferably based in
Italy, at IRCA Group's Headquarters
, with regular interaction and collaboration across the Group's international operations.
What will you do:
Continuous Improvement Strategy & Governance:
Define and deploy the Group-wide Continuous Improvement strategy aligned with business goals and operational priorities
Establish governance, standards, methodologies,



and KPIs to ensure a consistent CI approach across all regions and manufacturing sites
Drive the deployment of TPM/IWS, Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies across the organization
Develop a multi-year CI roadmap supporting productivity, quality, safety, service, and cost excellence objectives
Operational Excellence & Performance Improvement:
Identify, prioritize, and execute improvement initiatives that deliver measurable operational and financial results
Own the CI savings pipeline and ensure achievement of productivity and cost-saving targets
Monitor the performance of CI initiatives and ensure sustainability of implemented improvements
Benchmark internal and external best practices to continuously enhance operational performance
Capability Building & Cultural Transformation:
Develop and embed a culture of Continuous Improvement and servant leadership throughout the organization
Coach, mentor, and develop leaders and frontline teams on Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, problem-solving, and change management methodologies
Build organizational capabilities by creating training frameworks and CI development programs
Drive employee engagement and ownership of improvement initiatives at all levels of the organization
Program Deployment & Leadership:
Lead strategic pilot programs and lighthouse projects to demonstrate and scale best practices
Partner with plant leadership teams to deploy TPM pillars and establish site-level improvement plans
Support regional and local teams during implementation, ensuring alignment with global standards
Act as a key change agent, influencing stakeholders and driving organizational transformation
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Collaborate closely with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, R&D;, HR, Finance, Quality, and Procurement teams to drive end-to-end performance improvements
Support capital investment and automation initiatives by providing operational excellence expertise
Requirements:
Education:
Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Management, or a related field
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and/or TPM certification is considered a strong advantage
Experience:
Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in manufacturing and operations leadership roles
Minimum 3-5 years in a global or regional Continuous Improvement leadership position within an international manufacturing environment
Proven experience implementing TPM, IWS, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar operational excellence frameworks




Demonstrated success in leading large-scale transformation and cultural change programs across multiple sites and countries
Professional Skills:
Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma Methodologies
TPM / IWS Deployment
Strategic Planning & Execution
Program & Project Management
Financial Acumen and Productivity Improvement
Data Analytics & Performance Management
Change Management
Leadership Development & Coaching
Digital Skills:
Strong knowledge of MES, ERP, and Manufacturing Systems
Experience utilizing digital tools, automation technologies, and AI-enabled solutions to drive operational excellence
Advanced data analysis and reporting capabilities
Language Skills:
English proficiency is mandatory
Additional languages are considered a plus
Soft Skills:
Strategic thinking and business acumen
Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills
Inspirational and servant leadership style
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Proven ability to manage complexity and drive change
Results-oriented mindset with a strong focus on execution and accountability
Other Requirements:
Availability to travel internationally up to approximately 60% of the time, primarily across Europe and North America
Details:
Contract
: CCNL Alimentare Industria
Level
: Impiegatizio alto livello
Meal vouchers
: €8 for each day spent in the office
Remuneration
: starting from RAL ******* € / ******* €
Eligibility for the
variable premio
IRCA fosters a dynamic environment, valuing different perspectives and international experiences, offering a stimulating context. We promote professional growth and career opportunities locally and internationally. With locations worldwide, we offer the chance to work on international projects, collaborate across cultures, and gain a global perspective. If you are looking for stimulating challenges and the chance to contribute your ideas for process improvement in an ever-growing company, IRCA is the right place.
We welcome applications from candidates of all genders, backgrounds, identities, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, parental responsibilities, age, religion, or belief. We believe in equal opportunities for all and ensure that our hiring process complies with the highest standards of non-discrimination and inclusivity. IRCA Group is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves, reach their full potential, and feel a true sense of belonging. Join us in creating a workplace where diversity is valued, and everyone can thrive.
Il presente annuncio è rivolto ai candidati appartenenti a qualsiasi orientamento o espressione di genere, nel rispetto dei principi di diversità e inclusione e di non discriminazione ai sensi del D.lgs. ********.
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📌 Global Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence Director (Varese)
🏢 IRCA Group
📍 Varese