Regional Head of Manufacturing Engineering (m/f/d)

Kelvion

At Kelvion, our mission is to lead the industrial transformation by championing innovation and sustainability. From optimising data centres and advancing hydrogen production to revolutionising refrigeration and HVAC systems, our mission-critical thermal solutions empower industries around the globe. United as “One Kelvion,” our global team delivers innovative solutions that drive customer success and support a sustainable future.

Together, We Shape the Future

About the Role

At Kelvion, we are seeking a strong and inspiring Regional Head of Manufacturing Engineering to lead and transform our regional Manufacturing Engineering organization.

This is a highly visible leadership role with strategic responsibility for Manufacturing Engineering across the 3 sites in Germany and 3 sites in the Netherlands. The successful candidate will drive, automation strategy, industrial engineering standards, CAPEX execution, and manufacturing transformation initiatives while building a strong regional engineering culture.

As a leader, you will coach and develop regional ME teams, align manufacturing strategies across plants, and ensure implementation of global standards, best practices, and advanced manufacturing technologies. You will act as a trusted partner to Operations, HSE, Plant Management, and Global Manufacturing Engineering leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead, inspire, and develop the regional Manufacturing Engineering organization across all assigned manufacturing sites.
• Establish a high-performance engineering culture focused on safety, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Build and strengthen a regional “ME Community” through regular virtual and face-to-face collaboration meetings.
• Coach and mentor local Manufacturing Engineering leaders and technical specialists.
• Regularly assess organizational capabilities and define training and succession development plans.
• Identify resource gaps and evaluate internal and external support opportunities to strengthen regional engineering capabilities.
  

Manufacturing Strategy & Automation

• Drive regional manufacturing engineering strategy aligned with global operational objectives.
• Lead automation and digitalization initiatives to improve productivity, quality, safety, and manufacturing flexibility.
• Identify and implement advanced manufacturing technologies, automated solutions, robotics, and smart factory concepts.
• Support implementation and standardization of global digital manufacturing tools such as MES, e-Maint, Dozuki, and related Industry 4.0 solutions.
• Promote data-driven decision-making and manufacturing performance transparency across all sites.
  

Safety & Technical Compliance

• Ensure all safety-related actions requiring technical solutions are implemented consistently throughout the region in close collaboration with HSE teams.
• Drive engineering-based risk reduction initiatives and safe equipment standards across manufacturing operations.
  

CAPEX & Investment Management

• Lead and control regional CAPEX projects from concept development to successful operational handover.
• Develop and evaluate project business cases with focus on safety, growth, productivity improvement, automation, and ROI.
• Ensure projects are executed on time, within budget, and according to technical specifications.
• Ensure sustainable implementation of savings and formal project closure with Operations.
  

Manufacturing Excellence & Standardization

• Enforce best-practice sharing among manufacturing sites regarding technical solutions, automation concepts, equipment standards, and process improvements.
• Drive standardization of manufacturing processes, engineering methods, and operational KPIs across the region.
• Benchmark site performance and identify improvement opportunities through structured analysis.
• Ensure standard calculation methodologies are used for capacity planning and headcount planning across all sites.
  

Capacity & Workforce Planning

• Ensure accuracy and consistency of manufacturing master data including BOMs, routings, labor standards, and ERP-related production data.
• Ensure time studies are executed according to recognized industrial engineering standards such as REFA and MTM.
• Ensure qualified and trained personnel conduct industrial engineering and work measurement activities.
• Drive standardized capacity planning processes across all regional sites to ensure optimal utilization of equipment, labor, and production resources.
• Ensure accurate and forward-looking FTE planning aligned with production demand, investment strategies, automation initiatives, and operational targets.
• Establish and enforce standard calculation methodologies for capacity and workforce planning across all plants.
• Support Operations in identifying bottlenecks, balancing capacities, and developing scalable manufacturing concepts for future growth.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Extensive leadership experience in Manufacturing Engineering within an international industrial environment.
• Strong background in automation, manufacturing transformation, and industrial digitalization.
• Proven experience leading CAPEX investments and complex cross-site engineering projects.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering methods, and production systems.
• Experience with ERP systems, MES platforms, and manufacturing automation technologies.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Fluent English and Polish language skills; additional regional languages are advantageous.
• Willingness to travel across regional manufacturing sites.

At Kelvion we thrive on collaboration, embracing diversity of thought, and valuing every voice. Within Kelvion creativity shines because people are listened to, their contributions recognised, and their ideas welcomed. Our flexible approach to the way we work places people’s health and satisfaction as a priority, enhancing engagement and fostering career opportunities. We empower engaged individuals to grow, progress and carve their own paths within the company.