At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise operations across Europe, focusing on food retail logistics.
- Company: Join Americold, a leader in temperature-controlled logistics.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership development, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with a focus on sustainability and compliance.
- Why this job: Drive operational excellence and make a real impact in the food retail sector.
- Qualifications: 12+ years in operations with strong food retail logistics experience.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 € per year.
The Vice President Operations, Europe leads and optimizes Americold’s operational performance across Europe, with a strong emphasis on supporting food retail customers. This role requires deep experience in multi-temperature logistics, grocery/food retail distribution, and high-velocity operational environments. The VP drives operational excellence, strengthens customer partnerships, and ensures Americold’s European network delivers consistent, efficient, and high-quality service. Preferred candidate locations include Spain and the Netherlands.
Key responsibilities
- Operational excellence and efficiency
- Lead optimization of warehousing and transportation operations, focusing on food retail service requirements.
- Implement operational standards and best practices for high-throughput, multi-temperature environments.
- Use data, automation, and continuous improvement to enhance productivity, reduce waste, improve site contribution, reduce shrinkage, and strengthen operational discipline.
- Leadership and team development
- Lead Directors of Operations across Europe, ensuring alignment with global operating models.
- Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Strengthen leadership capability through coaching and succession planning.
- Customer focus and growth
- Partner with commercial teams to align operations with food retail customer needs.
- Build strong relationships with grocery retailers and food producers.
- Support business development by shaping operational solutions for new and existing customers.
- Financial and operational performance
- Own the P&L for the European region.
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance.
- Monitor KPIs related to service, safety, quality, productivity, and cost.
- Strategic planning and market expansion
- Develop long-term operational strategies supporting Americold’s growth in Europe.
- Identify opportunities for network optimization, automation, and capacity expansion.
- Evaluate new technologies and innovations relevant to food retail logistics.
- Change management and continuous improvement
- Lead transformation initiatives that improve performance and standardization.
- Embed Lean and continuous improvement practices across Operations.
- Ensure effective communication and change adoption.
- Sustainability and compliance
- Ensure compliance with regulations and Americold policies.
- Strengthen safety culture and adherence to food safety and temperature-control requirements.
- Support sustainability initiatives aligned with Americold’s ESG goals.
Qualifications & experience
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
- Preferred fields: Supply Chain Management, Logistics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, or Business Administration with a supply chain focus.
- Minimum 12 years in operations or supply chain leadership, including 5 years in senior multi-site roles.
- Strong background in food retail logistics, grocery distribution, cold-chain operations, or FMCG supply chains.
- Experience leading operations across multiple European countries, ideally Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, UK and others.
- Proven P&L ownership.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong operational leadership with strategic capability.
- Deep understanding of food retail service requirements.
- Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making.
- Experience with automation, WMS/TMS, and continuous improvement.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
VP, Operations Europe in Basingstoke employer: Americold
Americold is an exceptional employer that prioritises operational excellence and employee development within a dynamic and supportive work culture. With a focus on the food retail sector, employees benefit from opportunities for growth and leadership development while working in a collaborative environment across Europe, particularly in vibrant locations like Spain and the Netherlands. The company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation further enhances its appeal, making it a rewarding place for those seeking meaningful careers in logistics and supply chain management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP, Operations Europe in Basingstoke
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that VP role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations in Europe. We want you to show off your knowledge about their logistics and how you can drive operational excellence.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to clearly articulate how your experience aligns with the role. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace VP, Operations Europe in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of VP, Operations Europe. Highlight your experience in multi-temperature logistics and food retail distribution. We want to see how your background aligns with our operational excellence goals!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your leadership style and how you’ve driven operational improvements in previous roles. Let us know why you’re passionate about supporting food retail customers.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to optimise operations and enhance productivity. Numbers speak volumes, so include KPIs and results where possible!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Americold
✨Know Your Numbers
As a VP of Operations, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on your P&L management skills and be ready to discuss how you've driven financial performance in previous roles. Prepare specific examples of how you've optimised budgets and improved KPIs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership capabilities. Be prepared to share your approach to building high-performance teams and how you've developed leaders in the past. Think about specific instances where your coaching made a difference in team performance.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with the European food retail landscape, especially in Spain and the Netherlands. Research current trends, challenges, and opportunities in multi-temperature logistics. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role but also passionate about the industry.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Americold values operational excellence and continuous improvement. Prepare to discuss your experience with Lean practices and how you've implemented change management initiatives. Highlight any successful transformation projects you've led that resulted in enhanced efficiency or reduced waste.
