At The Kingfish Company, we produce premium Yellowtail Kingfish in a sustainable and innovative way. To support our continued growth, we are looking for an Processing Manager who will be responsible for the optimal performance of our processing department.
In this key role, you will ensure that our products meet the highest standards of food safety, quality, and traceability, while organizing daily operations efficiently and with a future-focused mindset.
What will you do?As Processing Manager , you will be responsible for the daily management and optimization of all processing activities at our production facility in Kats.
Operations & Production- Coordinate the daily processing of our fish, from harvest through packaging and storage.
- Optimize production planning based on harvest schedules and customer demand.
- Manage outsourced processing activities and maintain relationships with suppliers.
- Monitor yield, capacity, quality, and the efficient use of people and resources.
- Track and analyze KPIs such as throughput, yield, product quality, and downtime.
- Ensure compliance with food safety standards and applicable legislation.
- Collaborate with the Quality department to maintain and further develop the Food Safety Management System (FSMS).
- Lead internal and external audits and certification processes.
- Ensure optimal traceability, documentation, and recall procedures.
- Oversee compliance with hygiene and sanitation procedures.
- Ensure products meet internal quality standards and customer requirements.
- Work closely with QA/QC teams to continuously improve product quality and shelf life.
- Investigate deviations and implement corrective actions.
- Foster a strong quality culture throughout the team.
- Lead supervisors and operators within the processing department (approximately 20 FTE).
- Coach, develop, and motivate employees.
- Manage training, competency development, and performance management.
- Further develop a culture of ownership, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure a safe working environment.
- Lead risk assessments and follow up on improvement actions.
- Coordinate incident investigations.
- Support sustainability initiatives focused on waste reduction and energy efficiency.
- Identify opportunities for improvement and develop and implement process enhancements.
- Support investments in new equipment and technologies.
- Participate in cross-functional projects.
- Apply Lean and continuous improvement methodologies.
What do you bring?
- MBO/HBO level education, preferably in Food Management, Quality Management, or a related field.
- Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in an operational management role within food production or food processing.
- Experience with food safety systems such as HACCP, BRCGS, and/or IFS.
- Strong leadership skills and experience managing teams.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- A proactive attitude and strong sense of responsibility.
- Valid Category B driver's license.
- Fluent in English, both spoken and written.
- Affinity with engineering and technical processes.
Who are you?
- A true team player.
- Proactive and entrepreneurial.
- Positive and solution-oriented.
- Constructively critical when needed.
- Focused on collaboration and continuous improvement.
You are a hands-on leader who can easily switch between the production floor and strategic improvement projects. You know how to guide people through change, maintain oversight in a dynamic environment, and feel responsible for quality, safety, and results.
In addition, you are:
What do we offer?
- A challenging management position within an innovative and fast-growing organization.
- The opportunity to make a direct impact on our operations and quality standards.
- A chance to work in an enthusiastic and committed team.
- Plenty of room for personal initiative and professional development.
- A competitive salary and attractive employment benefits.
The Kingfish Company is a global leader in sustainable land-based aquaculture. From our facility in Zeeland, we produce premium Yellowtail Kingfish for customers around the world. Innovation, quality, and sustainability are at the heart of everything we do.
Ready to make a difference?Apply now and become part of our ambitious growth journey.
Skills Required
- MBO/HBO level education (preferably Food Management, Quality Management, or related field)
- Minimum 3-5 years experience in an operational management role within food production or food processing
- Experience with food safety systems such as HACCP, BRCGS, and/or IFS
- Experience managing teams and strong leadership skills
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Proactive attitude and strong sense of responsibility
- Valid Category B driver's license
- Fluent in English, spoken and written
- Affinity with engineering and technical processes
- Experience with Lean or continuous improvement methodologies
What We Do
The Kingfish Company is a pioneer and leader in sustainable land-based aquaculture, specializing in the production of high-quality yellowtail kingfish. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company utilizes advanced recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) to create an optimal growth environment for its fish. Committed to sustainability, the company operates its facilities using 100% renewable energy and avoids the use of antibiotics and vaccines, ensuring premium, environmentally responsible seafood production for global markets.
