Senior Manager Warehouse Operations Europe
Location: Rotterdam (with frequent travel across Europe)
Shape the future of warehouse operations at Refresco
Refresco is the world’s leading independent bottler of soft drinks and fruit juices for retailer and A-brands. With a strong European footprint, our operations are large, complex and continuously evolving.
To further strengthen and transform our European supply chain, we are looking for a Senior Manager Warehouse Operations Europe. In this strategic role, you will lead the transformation of our 44-site warehouse network across Europe and play a key role in shaping and executing the European Warehouse Strategy.
Your role
As Senior Manager Warehouse Operations Europe, you act as the functional leader for Warehouse Operations across Europe. You drive large-scale automation and digitalisation initiatives and create step-change improvements in cost, safety and operational performance.
You work closely with Business Units, Manufacturing, IT and external partners to optimise the warehouse network, elevate site capabilities and embed a culture of continuous improvement and safety excellence.
What will you be doing?
In this role, you will:
- Define and deliver the European Warehouse Automation roadmap, transforming 10+ sites by 2028 and enabling future-ready operations
- Lead end-to-end warehouse digitisation, including SAP EWM and yard/fleet management systems
- Drive structural performance improvements across the warehouse network, reducing unit costs while improving safety, productivity and capacity utilisation
- Take ownership of approx. €150m in annual storage costs, focusing on cost per pallet and network optimisation
- Champion a zero-harm safety culture, reducing incidents through standards, coaching and operational discipline
- Own and govern warehouse KPIs across safety, quality, productivity, cost and capacity
- Lead and influence a pan-European network of logistics and warehouse leaders (dotted-line structure)
- Manage large transformation projects together with automation and software suppliers
What do you bring?
You are a senior warehouse or supply chain leader with strong technical depth and the ability to lead complex, multi-country change.
Your background includes:
- A degree in Engineering, Supply Chain or a related field (or equivalent experience)
- 10–15+ years of experience in warehouse or logistics operations, preferably within FMCG or high-volume manufacturing
- Proven experience leading multi-site and cross-country transformations
- Strong expertise in warehouse automation technologies (e.g. AGVs, high-bay warehouses) and digital solutions
- Solid change management capabilities and the ability to align diverse stakeholders
- Advanced knowledge of Lean management and continuous improvementWillingness to travel regularly across Europe (20–40%)
What we offer
At Refresco, you will have the opportunity to make a real impact at scale.
You can expect:
- A key leadership role within European Operations with strategic and operational influence
- The opportunity to lead one of Refresco’s most impactful transformation programmes
- International exposure and collaboration across Europe
- A pragmatic, down-to-earth culture with short lines and clear ambitions
- Competitive employment conditions aligned with your experience and responsibilities
About Refresco
Refresco is the world’s largest independent bottler of soft drinks and fruit juices, operating across Europe, North America and Australia. We combine scale with operational excellence and are committed to safety, quality, sustainability and the development of our people.
Recruitment process
Are you interested in this open position, feel free to send your application!
In case of any questions with regards to the position, you may reach out to Bas Versnel (Interim Corporate Recruiter Group/HQ)
E-mail: bas.versnel_ext@refresco.com
