First Line Manager OPS at VF Corporation in EMEA

Job description

First Line Manager Location: Almelo, Netherlands LET’S TALK ABOUT THE ROLE As a First Line Manager within our Distribution Center in Almelo, you play a pivotal role in keeping our operations moving. You lead and inspire an operational team within a specific department and shift, ensuring smooth daily execution, operational excellence, and a safe and engaging working environment. You take ownership of resource planning, team performance, compliance, and continuous improvement, making sure your team is empowered to deliver at its best. HOW DO YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE? What will you do? Lead, coach, and motivate your team to achieve strong performance and support their development. Plan resources and organise daily operations to meet productivity, quality, safety, and service goals. Manage daily operational priorities, including workflow, staffing, absences, and changing business needs. Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and all health and safety standards. Monitor performance metrics and take appropriate action when results are not meeting expectations. Drive continuous improvement through practical improvements to daily processes and ways of working. Foster a positive, inclusive, and safe working environment built on trust, clarity, and accountability. Collaborate closely with other First Line Managers, Area Managers, and supporting functions across the Distribution Center. How will you do this? By setting clear objectives and KPIs and guiding your team through regular feedback, coaching, and development conversations. By maintaining a strong presence on the operational floor and staying close to your team and the day-to-day operation. By adjusting priorities and resources based on workflow, operational requirements, and business needs. By creating a safety-first culture and ensuring compliance through regular follow-up and corrective action. By using performance data to make informed decisions and address productivity, quality, safety, or people-related issues. By promoting accountability while managing operational challenges calmly, fairly, and consistently. By remaining flexible and adaptable while working within a rotating three-shift environment, including weekends during peak periods when required. What does success look like? Your team delivers consistent, high-quality performance and feels supported in its development. Daily operations run smoothly and efficiently, in line with productivity, quality, safety, and service targets. Operational issues are identified early and addressed through clear, practical actions. Safety standards are fully embedded in the team’s daily way of working. Continuous improvement initiatives lead to measurable improvements in cost, service, quality, or workflow. You create an environment where people feel valued, motivated, accountable, and part of something meaningful. FREE TO BE, INCLUSION & DIVERSITY As a purpose-led, performance-driven company, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness, and authenticity. We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our associates, allowing them to bring their authentic selves to work every day. SKILLS FOR SUCCESS Experience supervising operational teams within logistics, warehousing, distribution, manufacturing, or a comparable environment. Demonstrated people-management experience, including coaching, performance management, and handling day-to-day team challenges. Strong organisational and resource-planning skills. A practical and hands-on leadership approach, with the ability to remain close to the operation. The ability to make clear decisions and manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. The ability to remain calm under pressure and manage operational challenges constructively. A good understanding of health and safety standards within an operational environment. Experience working with o