What are the responsibilities and job description for the Transversal Lead position at Bekaert?
Be part of something bigger!
As the world and the way people live is changing, we at Bekaert believe it’s our responsibility to contribute to finding new solutions for the future. With a 140 year old heritage of excellence, innovation, and a future-focused mindset, we strive to create value for our customers and society. We aim to do this through innovative solutions and sustainable practices. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of steel wire transformation and coatings whilst also leveraging our expertise to develop innovative solutions with new materials and services in a safe, smart, and sustainable way. Our focus extends to markets such as new mobility, low-carbon construction, and green energy.
As a dynamic and growing company with over 19 000 employees worldwide, 75 nationalities, a retention rate above 90% and € 3,7 billion in combined revenue in 2025, we are looking for someone like you to join our team as we continue to shape a safer, more efficient, and connected world!
I. Purpose of the Role
The Transversal Leader drives end-to-end plant performance by integrating strategy, operations, and people. The role ensures disciplined execution of business objectives across Production, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, EHS, and HR, building a high-performance manufacturing system that delivers cost competitiveness, reliability, and a strong performance culture.
II. Roles and Responsibilities (Location - Lonand)
1. Daily Operations & Plant Management
• Monitor departmental OEE and key KPIs through structured daily performance reviews
• Plan and manage shift schedules and manpower deployment to ensure operational continuity and manage shift operations during critical requirement
• Support Finance Controller in financial control and reconciliation activities
• Develop operator pipeline capability and ensure compliance with contract workforce tenure requirements, Strengthen workforce pipeline
• Conduct weekly consumable cost analysis to ensure cost discipline and maintain consumable stock and energy optimization initiatives
• Prepare and track Capex projects from proposal to execution
• Maintain robust visual management systems across the plant
• Mini company meeting and updating mini company score card, reviewing Operator’s monthly performance.
• Daily process review with process technicians (Centre line)
2.Strategy Deployment & Performance Governance
• Translate Sustainable Construction Division strategy into clear, executable plant-level operational roadmaps with defined KPIs and ownership, establish governance systems
• Drive alignment across key business parameters including cost, volume, margin, working capital, and productivity targets
• Support Plant Manager in deploying a Low-Cost Exemplar model, integrating Mini Company concepts and key pillars of Integrated Management Systems (BMW Centreline, CILT)
3. Operational Excellence & Production Performance
• Drive continuous improvement and systematic loss elimination initiatives
• Ensure inventory optimization and working capital discipline through effective control of raw materials, WIP, and finished goods, improve OTIF
• Lead deployment of Lean and Continuous Improvement initiatives (Kaizen, TPM, SMED, etc.) for sustainable productivity enhancement
• Drive the Zero Loss Journey by eliminating the 8 wastes across all operational areas
4. Cross-Functional Integration (Transversal Leadership)
• Build a “One Plant – One Team” culture
• Identify and resolve systemic bottlenecks impacting cost, quality, delivery, and productivity through structured problem-solving
• Ensure full alignment of plant execution with regional and global standards, targets, and best practices
5. People Leadership & Capability Development
• Build and strengthen the plant leadership pipeline, ensuring succession readiness for critical roles
• Develop frontline managers and supervisors through coaching, training, and on-the-job capability building
• Drive employee engagement initiatives to enhance productivity, morale, and retention
6. Culture, Safety & Sustainability Stewardship
• Reinforce a Zero Harm culture by embedding safety and compliance as core organizational values and “No Human Error concept for root cause analysis
• Progress the organization along the Bradley Curve toward an interdependent safety culture
• Ensure full compliance with EHS standards and statutory requirements through audits, inspections, and governance systems
• Embed sustainability principles into plant operations
• Lead data-driven safety management, including analysis of leading/lagging indicators and quarterly safety campaigns
7. Continuous Improvement, Growth Mindset & Entrepreneurial Thinking
• Apply design thinking approach (“What is” and “What if”) to challenge existing processes and drive innovation
• Leverage advanced technologies, including AI tools, enhance operator productivity and system efficiency
• Drive low-cost automation initiatives to improve productivity, safety, and quality with minimal investment
• Deliver Net Structural Savings (NSS) through systematic cost reduction and process redesign
III Skills & Competencies
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Deg, Certificate/ degree in strategic management and business management
• 10–15 years of experience in operations, leadership, or a similar operational role within the industry
Be bold and take the leap!
We're looking for individuals who are not afraid to take risks and explore new ideas. If you are passionate about personal growth and bringing your authentic self to work, we want you on our team!
At Bekaert, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
To learn more about us and our exciting career opportunities, visit Bekaert Careers