About the job
About Brink's
The Brink’s Company (NYSE:BCO) is a leading global provider of cash and valuables management, digital retail solutions, and ATM managed services. Our customers include financial institutions, retailers, government agencies, mints, jewellers, and other commercial operations. Our network of operations in 51 countries serves customers in more than 100 countries.
We believe in building partnerships that secure commerce, and doing that requires fostering an engaged culture that values people with different backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives. We build a sense of belonging, so all employees feel respected, safe, and valued, and we provide equal opportunity to participate and grow.
The Opportunity
We are looking for an experienced Operational Excellence Director to help shape the operational performance of our Northern Europe Market Unit.
Reporting directly to the COO Europe, this is a strategic leadership role with a strong operational focus. Rather than designing improvement programmes from a distance, you will work alongside country leadership teams to identify opportunities, challenge established ways of working, and deliver measurable improvements across multiple countries.
Success in this role is defined by your ability to improve operational performance, increase productivity, and deliver measurable business results across multiple countries. You will lead initiatives that improve productivity, reduce operating costs, strengthen service performance, and create sustainable competitive advantage across Brink's operations.
Working in a business where people represent the largest operational cost, you understand how process optimisation, operational discipline, standardisation, and strong leadership routines directly influence business performance. You are comfortable operating in complex environments where influencing stakeholders, gaining credibility on the operational floor, and delivering tangible business outcomes are equally important.
This position is ideally suited to an experienced operational leader from industries such as automotive, aerospace, industrial manufacturing, mechanical or electrical engineering, hydraulics, warehousing, fulfilment, or last-mile logistics, where Lean and Operational Excellence are deeply embedded in daily operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead Operational Excellence initiatives across the Northern Europe Market Unit, delivering measurable improvements in productivity, labour efficiency, operational performance, and cost competitiveness.
- Partner with the Senior Vice President Northern Europe and country leadership teams to identify strategic improvement opportunities and translate them into practical operational initiatives.
- Drive high-impact transformation projects using Lean methodologies, including Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Daily Management Systems, and structured problem solving.
- Challenge existing operating models and implement standardised ways of working that improve efficiency, service quality, operational consistency, and business performance.
- Influence senior stakeholders across multiple countries, building alignment and commitment without relying on formal authority.
- Coach and develop operational leaders, strengthening Operational Excellence capabilities and fostering a culture of continuous improvement throughout the region.
- Analyse operational and financial performance data to prioritise initiatives, monitor progress, and ensure sustainable delivery of business benefits.
- Collaborate closely with Brink's Business System and Global Operational Excellence teams to deploy best practices and accelerate operational transformation across Northern Europe.
What We Are Looking For
- Extensive experience leading Operational Excellence, Lean Transformation, Operations, or Continuous Improvement within complex, multi-site organisations.
- A proven track record of delivering measurable productivity improvements, operational efficiencies, and sustainable cost reductions in people-intensive operational environments.
- Experience within automotive suppliers, aerospace, industrial manufacturing, mechanical or electrical engineering, hydraulics, warehousing, fulfilment, or last-mile logistics.
- A pragmatic, hands-on leadership style with the ability to translate strategy into operational execution and tangible business results.
- Deep understanding of Lean methodologies and their practical application to improve operational performance rather than simply facilitate improvement programmes.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to influence senior leaders, country management teams, and operational organisations across multiple countries.
- Excellent analytical capability, using operational and financial data to identify opportunities, build business cases, and measure performance improvements.
- Outstanding communication and leadership skills, combined with a collaborative, results-driven approach.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related discipline. A Master's degree or MBA is considered an advantage.
- Lean certification is beneficial, although extensive hands-on implementation experience is considered significantly more valuable.
Additional Requirements
- Based in one of our European Brink's locations, including Belgium, Czechia, the Netherlands, Romania, or another relevant European location.
- Willingness to travel extensively across Europe, typically exceeding 50% of your working time.
- Fluent English is required. Additional European languages are considered an advantage.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced international environment with diverse stakeholders, cultures, and operational priorities.
Qualifications
