Operations Director BE

Operations Director | Belgium & Netherlands Lead people. Understand operations. Make an impact. At TRU Global Solutions, we do more than clean cleanrooms. We help protect critical environments where contamination is simply not an option. We support companies in life sciences, biotechnology, cell & gene therapy and high-tech industries. Our work directly contributes to product quality, patient safety and operational continuity. As TRU continues to grow, we are looking for an Operations Director for Belgium and the Netherlands who can lead our operational teams, strengthen customer relationships and take full ownership of our day-to-day operations. We are not looking for someone who leads only through reports, meetings and procedures. We are looking for someone who wants to understand the business from the inside out. Someone who connects with people, understands customers and knows what it takes to deliver operational excellence every day. Your role As Operations Director, you will report directly to the CEO and lead our Operations Managers across Belgium and the Netherlands. Your mission is to build a strong, independent and accountable operations organisation where managers take ownership, employees feel supported and customers can rely on consistent quality. You will have the freedom and responsibility to make decisions, develop your team and continuously improve our operations. What will you do? Lead and develop our managers
• Coach, challenge and support our Operations Managers.
• Set clear expectations and follow up on results.
• Build ownership and accountability at every level.
• Help managers grow into confident and independent leaders.
• Address difficult situations with clarity and respect. Stay connected to the work floor
• Spend time at our customer sites and alongside our employees.
• Understand the daily reality of cleanroom cleaning and contamination control.
• Listen, observe and ask questions before introducing changes.
• Remain actively involved in understanding operational challenges. Build strong customer relationships
• Develop trusted relationships with our customers.
• Understand their operational needs, expectations and quality requirements.
• Take ownership of escalations and challenging situations.
• Communicate openly and professionally, even when things go wrong.
• Ensure that commitments are followed through. Drive operational and financial performance
• Take responsibility for operational quality, efficiency and profitability.
• Monitor performance across customer sites.
• Identify risks and improvement opportunities.
• Work closely with our managers to improve productivity, resource planning and financial results.
• Introduce structure and processes where they genuinely add value. Who are you? You are an experienced operational leader who combines a strong business mindset with a genuine interest in people. You are comfortable making decisions and taking responsibility. You know how to challenge managers while helping them succeed. You don't need to have all the answers from day one. You are curious enough to ask the right questions first. We believe you bring:
• Solid experience in operational management, preferably in a multi-site environment.
• Proven experience leading and developing managers or operational teams.
• Strong customer communication and relationship management skills.
• Financial awareness and experience managing operational budgets and performance.
• A practical, hands-on leadership style.
• The ability to bring structure without creating unnecessary complexity.
• Confidence in handling difficult conversations and operational challenges.
• Professional proficiency in Dutch and English.
• Willingness to travel regularly across Belgium and the Netherlands. Experience in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, high-tech manufacturing or technical and facility services is a strong advantage. Cleanroom experience is valuable, but not essential. Your leadership approach, curiosity and willingness to learn matter just as much. What makes this role different? At TRU, we believe great leadership starts with understanding. We don't expect you to arrive with a ready-made plan to change everything. We expect you to get to know our people, customers and operations first. Spend time on our sites. Understand what works, what doesn't and why. Then help us become better. You will work closely with the CEO and have a real opportunity to shape the future of our operations. What can you expect from TRU?
• A key leadership position in a growing international company.
• Direct collaboration with the CEO.
• Genuine responsibility and room to make decisions.
• The opportunity to develop people and build a stronger organisation.
• A company where quality, trust and accountability matter.
• A role where your impact will be visible in our teams, customer relationships and results. Ready to make a difference? We are looking for someone who doesn't just want to manage operations, but wants to lead people and build something meaningful. Does this sound like your next challenge? We would love to hear from you.