Grading Station Manager

In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences – together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.

About the role.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Grading Station Manager to play a pivotal role in our Greenfield Project in Germany. As Grading Station Manager, you will be accountable for all potatoes grading station operations, starting from project inception to full-scale plant operations. Your key responsibilities include:

• Before Start-up: You will spearhead the strategic development and implementation of operational practices, ensuring all foundational systems are in place prior to plant start-up with particular attention to aspects related to the introduction of New Technologies and Digital Manufacturing. The opportunity to build a team from scratch is an additional benefit.
• After Start-up: You will continue to monitor, track, and enhance the efficiency of grading operations, driving continuous improvement and ensuring robust adherence to the grading station safety, quality and sustainability plan. Particular attention to optimize New Technologies and Digital Manufacturing tools.

You will report directly to Plant Manager / SuM Manager and functionally to regional potatoes operations lead and work in close collaboration with SuM Team, Engineering Team, Regional and Global Support Team and Continuous Improvement Team.

Join this exciting assignment for a permanent contract. A relocation bonus is offered if a move is necessary.

Tasks

What you’ll be doing.
Before Plant Start-up:

• Provide technical direction on design specifications, equipment selection, and installation.
• Oversee preparation and execution of comprehensive readiness checklists modelled on best-in-class McCain systems.
• Champion cross-functional collaboration with project, engineering, procurement, and external vendor teams.
• Ensure compliance with safety, sustainability, and food safety standards at every stage of engineering and commissioning.
• Lead risk management, proactively identifying and mitigating project risks.
• Drive continuous improvement and support training for project stakeholders.

After Start-up:

• Develop and implement the annual safety plan for the grading station; drive a culture of safety and compliance.
• Optimize potato supply allocation to meet plant requirements, maximizing yield and minimizing waste.
• Oversee operational downtime, plant maintenance, production planning, and quality management.
• Lead investment plans and CAPEX for grading station improvements.
• Foster strong partnerships across quality, maintenance, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.
• Champion the adoption of digital tools, process automation, and performance dashboards.
• Support sustainability initiatives and environmental responsibility in all grading operations.
• Engage regularly with European network peers to promote best practice sharing.

Team Leadership:

• Build, motivate, and manage a multidisciplinary team, fostering a positive and high-performing workplace.
• Identify and implement team development plans; oversee training and onboarding, ensuring a strong talent pipeline.
• Lead team assessments, performance reviews, and employee engagement initiatives.

Requirements

What you’ll need to be successful.

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Agricultural Engineering, Industrial Processing, or a related area. Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 5 years of relevant manufacturing, process, or engineering leadership in food processing or a similar environment.
• Strong expertise in food process system design, operations, and maintenance; advanced knowledge of relevant engineering practices, safety, and food quality standards (e.g., EHEDG).
• Demonstrated record leading cross-functional teams and continuous improvement programs (e.g., Lean, Kaizen, 5S).
• Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) is considered a strong asset, especially for integrating digital tools and production data management in a modern manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience in process automation, digitalization of manufacturing operations (KPI tools, supply chain planning systems).
• Strong understanding of food safety and hygienic design in processing equipment and environments.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in German and English
• Experience with project management, budget oversight, and plant start-ups is highly desirable.

Benefits

Benefits of the role.

• Opportunity to be a part of a global iconic brand, fun and high performing team
• Opportunity to be a part of Greenfield Project in Germany
• A varied and responsible job in an effective and international team with flat hierarchies
• Competitive salary
• A relocation bonus is offered if a move is necessary
• Local benefit (Health and Pension insurance)
• Work in an environment you actively help to shape and create.

About McCain.

Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.

Leadership principles.

At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.

The McCain experience.

We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we’re better together.

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