VP Operations

Americold is a global provider of temperature-controlled infrastructure. We partner with farmers and food producers to ensure their perishable and frozen product reaches food suppliers, restaurants, and your local grocery store without spoilage. Our customers, which include some of the most respected brands in the food industry, rely on our expertise and commitment to safety in order to deliver on their commitments.

Vice President Operations - Europe

Goal

The Vice President Operations, Europe is responsible for overseeing and optimizing the performance of Americold’s operations across Europe. This role involves developing and implementing strategies to ensure operational excellence, drive revenue growth, and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction. The VP will lead a team of Directors of Operations and work closely with internal and external stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions, exceed operational targets, and contribute to the overall success of Americold in the European market. This position will require a strong focus on operational efficiency, cost management and customer retention.

Key responsibilities

• Operational Excellence and Efficiency
  • Lead the development and execution of strategies that optimize warehousing and transportation operations across Europe, focusing on improving service quality, increasing efficiency, and reducing costs.
  • Leverage data-driven insights and technology to streamline operations, identify areas for improvement, and ensure continuous operational enhancements.
  • Drive cost-effectiveness by implementing initiatives to improve profitability, reduce shrinkage, and maximize site contributions across the region.
• Leadership and Team Development
  • Oversee the Directors of Operations across Europe, ensuring alignment with regional and global goals.
  • Foster a high-performance culture through mentorship, talent development, and succession planning, while ensuring the effective execution of operational strategies.
  • Promote inclusionary leadership, ensuring a collaborative and respectful work environment where all team members are valued and engaged.
• Customer Focus and Growth
  • Collaborate with the commercial and business development teams to align operational strategies with customer needs and expectations.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, ensuring Americold’s services meet or exceed customer expectations and deliver long-term value.
  • Drive business development efforts to improve market share, increase customer acquisition, and enhance retention by providing innovative logistics solutions tailored to customer requirements.
• Financial and Operational Performance
  • Manage the P&L for the European region, ensuring revenue and profit goals are met while maintaining operational efficiency.
  • Oversee the budgeting process, track financial performance against targets, and implement corrective actions as needed to ensure financial success.
  • Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and ensure that safety, quality, and productivity standards are met across all operations.
• Strategic Planning and Market Expansion
  • Develop and implement long-term operational strategies that support the growth of Americold’s business in Europe, while ensuring alignment with the global operational framework.
  • Work with cross-functional teams to identify new business opportunities, enhance service offerings, and position Americold as a market leader in the region.
  • Drive operational innovation by identifying new technologies, services, and process improvements that address client needs and enhance operational capabilities.
• Change Management and Continuous Improvement
  • Lead and manage change initiatives aimed at improving operational processes and adapting to evolving market conditions.
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that the business evolves to meet emerging challenges while enhancing service delivery and efficiency.
  • Establish effective communication channels to ensure smooth implementation of changes and foster organizational adaptability.
• Sustainability and Compliance
  • Ensure that all operations comply with local and international laws, industry standards, and company policies, particularly in areas such as safety, environmental impact, and labor practices.
  • Drive sustainability efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of operations, aligning with Americold’s global sustainability goals.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree required, Master’s degree preferred in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, or related fields.
• Experience:
  • At least 12 years’ experience across multiple levels of operations or supply chain management, with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles, including P&L management.
  • Experience managing multi-unit operations across diverse geographic locations, particularly in temperature-controlled logistics or related sectors.
  • Experience in cold storage is preferred but not mandatory.
• Skills & Competencies:
  • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams across multiple locations.
  • Excellent strategic thinking and business planning skills, with a focus on operational efficiency and customer-centric solutions.
  • Proven ability to manage complex projects, influence decision-making, and drive change in a dynamic environment.
  • Strong communication skills, capable of presenting to both senior leadership and front-line teams.