At Picnic, we run some of Europe’s most advanced automated grocery fulfilment centres, combining robotics, smart software, and a people-first culture. As a Value Stream Operations Manager, you own a key part of the operation, leading multiple teams across shifts to deliver on safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement. You work closely with the Site Manager and other Operations managers to turn site goals into daily action, develop strong operational leaders, and help build a high-performing, scalable operation.
Our site in Dordrecht operates at high volume with a team of around 500 colleagues, giving you the opportunity to lead in a complex, automated fulfilment environment.
What you’ll doEnd-to-End Ownership: Take full responsibility for the long-term performance and KPI roadmap of your value stream, defining strategy and driving structural improvements in safety, quality, and efficiency.
Hands-on Leadership: Lead the value stream day to day, coaching supervisors to effectively lead their captain teams, strengthening indirect leadership while ensuring performance targets are met.
Data-Driven Process Optimization: Analyze workflows, identify bottlenecks, and implement improvements that increase efficiency, flow, and reliability.
Continuous Improvement: Lead daily Kaizen and improvement initiatives, embedding a culture of operational excellence and accountability.
Operational Standards and Execution: Maintain a clean, organized, and safe environment, applying 5S principles and reinforcing consistent standards across your teams.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with maintenance, engineering, planning, analysts, and last-mile teams to ensure seamless end-to-end operations.
- University degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years leadership experience, preferably in warehouse or automated operations
- Hands-on experience in automated or semi-automated fulfilment environments
- Lean and continuous improvement experience in complex operations
- Comfortable managing high-volume, high-SKU workflows
- Proven ability to lead teams of leaders and drive results
- Strong analytical skills, with a high level of competence in data analysis tools such as Tableau and Excel
- Willingness to occasionally step into operational shifts to stay close to the operation and support the team
- Fluency in English and Dutch
Picnic perks
- You'll receive a competitive compensation package, including 25 vacation days per year to recharge your batteries
- The option to lease a car
- You’ll get freshly prepared, healthy breakfast, lunches (and dinner at the FC) as well as delicious snacks and drinks available at all Picnic locations
- A flexible company pension plan called “Doenpensioen” at a.s.r.
- Picnic laptop and smartphone
- An awesome scale-up atmosphere with the freedom to drive your own projects and the opportunity to have an impact!
- The chance to work in an international environment with motivated team members & legendary company events
- Many internal learning and development possibilities as well as professional soft skill & leadership trainings at a specialized external party
- We have Fulfilment Centres across The Netherlands in the following locations: Utrecht, Ridderkerk, Berkel en Rodenrijs, Dordrecht, Eindhoven, Zwolle, Heerenveen, Geldermalsen
Skills Required
- University degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years leadership experience in warehouse or automated operations
- Hands-on experience in automated or semi-automated fulfilment environments
- Lean and continuous improvement experience in complex operations
- Proven ability to lead teams of leaders and drive results
What We Do
At Picnic, we’re revolutionizing the way people buy groceries. Our affordable and sustainable service is made possible by our passionate people, cutting-edge technology, efficient planning, and, of course, our fleet of iconic electric vehicles! It’s why our customer base is growing rapidly across the Netherlands, Germany, and France. One of the things that makes Picnic different is that we handle almost everything in-house: forecasting, developing our first automated warehouse and new electric Picnic vehicles, internal and customer-facing applications—the list goes on. It gives us more freedom when it comes to trying out new and innovative ideas, which is something we do a lot! We love to challenge ourselves and learn new things. Our teams have access to various meetups, language classes, ‘Lunch & Learn’ sessions, our very own Tech Academy, and tailored soft-skills training. Professional development is as important to us as the service we provide to our customers. As a diverse team made up of over 80 nationalities, there are always plenty of activities to get involved with, whether you’re into sports, board games, charitable causes, dancing (at our legendary Picnic festival), or licorice tasting—yes, even that! Our scale-up culture means you get to own your role and bring fresh ideas to the table. So, if you’re looking for an opportunity to make a real difference, get in touch—we’d love to hear from you.
