About us

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 119 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 26,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all.

As we move forward, our consumers will be at the heart of what we do, evolving to needs and expectations and committing to a more meaningful contribution to harm reduction by building a successful NGP business. Integral to our long-term success is our sustainability strategy, behaving responsibly and supporting our ambitions, all underpinned by high governance.

Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference.

Rizla is a global icon and part of Imperial Brands. Our production site is located in Wilrijk.  We work in a truly enterprising and customer-oriented international environment with many opportunities, where our staff’s growth is central, with attention to sustainability and inclusion.

The Role

A vacancy has arisen for the position of Technical Manager . Reporting to the Factory Manager the Technical Manager will manage all facilities, preventive maintenance, engineering and IT system related activities, as well as being an integral part of the factory leadership team. Direct department activities, through subordinates, to design innovative upgrades for machinery and modify existing machinery to improve production techniques. Analyse technology trends, human resource needs, and market demand to plan projects. Confer with management, production, and marketing to determine engineering feasibility, cost effectiveness, and customer demand for new and existing products. Forecast operating costs of department and direct preparation of budget requests.

Principal Accountabilities

• Drive a Safety-first culture and continually improve safety record by fully understanding and supporting all safety programmes for both physical safety issues and employee safety attitudes, including contractors on site.
• Support the Factory Manager to develop strategy and achieve overall delivery of key objectives for the site.
• Plan, direct, and monitor all Engineering, Utilities & Facility Management for the site to maximise the use of the Company’s resources ensuring all standards are adhered to.
• Provide leadership for direct reports ensuring development and succession plans are in place. Have a working understanding of wellbeing and health & safety best practice, local legislation and employee engagement action activities.
• Work with local unions and employee representatives on relevant topics, including ensuring working environment topics are managed effectively.
• Develop strategic maintenance plans that ensure the functions are capable and equipped to meet future business needs.
• Provide the authorisation of, and overall responsibility of Contractors for the site.
• Share the responsible for and Management of the Information Systems infrastructure on site
• Accountable for the assets and its management for the site.
• Accountable for development and execution of an optimal spare part management process.
• Project Management for bigger initiatives to transform and improve the Operations when required. Deliver projects consistently on time and budget.
• Accountable to provide support for the site’s manufacturing excellence team through ensuring engineering knowledge as well as hands on executional support is provided.
• Actively engage in a matrix organisation, work closely with central functions during all phases of engineering projects. Share best practice and further drive and develop existing standards in place.
• Provide guidance and insight to senior management report progress including any changes made to plan.
• Share the responsibility for the idle machinery and spare parts warehouse
• Participate in cross regional and/or global projects

Skills and Experience Required

• The ideal candidate will have a degree in (industrial) Engineering or equivalent and will have worked in a similar role for at least three years managing teams.
• Proven experience of working with LEAN methods such as FMEA, DMAIC, PDCA, Kaizen, Project management,… Having experience with working through Mini Business Units and visual performance management is seen as a key benefit.
• Have a good understanding of health and safety best practice. Holding a NEBOSH IGC (or equivalent) would be an advantage.
• Ability to drive for performance and take the initiative to face and act upon challenges when needed.
• Change Management capabilities.
• Have a positive growth mindset, a willingness to improve the organisation, skills of the employees and yourself.
• Demonstrable Project Management capability.
• Keen on further strengthening the team through a natural coaching and mentoring leadership style.
• The successful candidate must have experience of leading teams and achieves results through the empowerment of people, including a proven track record in effective leadership, with particular skills in team development and succession building.
• A Profound understanding of Information System infrastructure and systems
• Prepared to travel as part of the job
• Fluent spoken and written Dutch & English is key with a commitment to learn quickly if not present

What we offer

Rizla offer a competitive package of salary, bonus scheme, pension, holidays as well as hybrid work.

Next Steps

Interested applicants should apply with their CV highlighting their suitability for the role.

Everyone Belongs

Everyone belongs in Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation.

We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation, religions, or beliefs and of neuro divergence. We give fair and equal consideration to all our applicants.

We welcome talented people with stories to tell, who can bring fresh thinking, new ideas and different experiences to our business and believe in enabling every person to succeed; to deliver their best performance and realise their full potential.

We understand that these are the things that make you ‘you’ and if you join us, we’ll support you in being able and confident to share your whole self with us.  

We look forward to hearing from you!

Please click here resourcing@uk.imptob.com to let us know if we can provide support in helping you complete an application and/or attend an interview.

Don’t talk yourself out of applying.