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Global Operations Manager - Job Opportunity at Danfoss

Multiple locations (Ville-La-Grand, FR / Baden-Baden, DE / Dubnica nad Vahom, SK)
Full-time
Senior
Posted: August 8, 2025
On-site
EUR 95,000 - 130,000 annually based on senior-level operations management role in European manufacturing sector with global responsibilities, considering Danfoss's market position and the strategic nature of data center operations

Benefits

Annual performance bonus tied to business success and individual contribution
Comprehensive paid vacation package supporting work-life balance
Competitive pension plans ensuring long-term financial security
Personal insurance coverage providing comprehensive protection
Internal career advancement opportunities with global mobility
Professional mentoring and training programs for continuous development
Access to international assignments and cross-functional projects
Flexible work arrangements within on-site requirements
Inclusive workplace culture promoting diversity and belonging

Key Responsibilities

Lead virtual cross-functional teams across manufacturing and supply chain operations to drive strategic data center business initiatives and secure optimal resource allocation
Establish and monitor comprehensive performance metrics including safety, quality, productivity, and financial targets while implementing corrective actions to ensure business continuity
Develop demand planning strategies aligned with data center business growth expectations and optimize logistics infrastructure for maximum customer availability
Design and implement global manufacturing footprint strategy with CAPEX roadmap development to support business expansion and eliminate capacity constraints
Drive supplier base optimization strategy in collaboration with procurement teams to enhance supply chain resilience and cost efficiency
Execute quality assurance processes adhering to TS16949, ISO 9000, and ISO 14000 standards while continuously improving quality KPIs and implementing Danfoss TS standards
Serve as primary operations liaison with key customers during critical situations, managing capacity constraints and quality escalations with clear communication of corrective actions and supply plans

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field, Master's degree or MBA preferred

Experience

7+ years of experience in operations, capital planning, or strategic planning within a complex, technical environment

Required Skills

Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, experienced in leading in matrix organization Strong analytical and communication skills; comfortable presenting to executives and customers Experience with capacity planning, CapEx projects, and customer engagement Experience in the data center, infrastructure, or high-tech manufacturing sectors Experience with ERP and planning software experience (e.g., SAP, Anaplan) Familiarity with SIOP (Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning), PFEP, or Lean/continuous improvement frameworks Fluent in English is a must
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The data center industry is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by cloud computing adoption, artificial intelligence workloads, and edge computing requirements, creating massive demand for specialized cooling and power solutions that directly impact manufacturing operations roles. Sustainability regulations and energy efficiency mandates are reshaping data center infrastructure requirements, driving demand for innovative cooling solutions and creating new operational challenges that require sophisticated supply chain management. Supply chain resilience has become critical following global disruptions, with companies investing heavily in diversified manufacturing footprints and supplier base optimization strategies to ensure business continuity. Digital transformation initiatives are revolutionizing operations management through advanced analytics, IoT integration, and predictive maintenance capabilities, requiring leaders with both technical expertise and strategic vision.

Role Significance

Matrix leadership of 15-30 professionals across multiple functions and geographies, including direct influence over manufacturing teams, supply chain specialists, quality managers, and procurement professionals
Senior strategic role with significant P&L impact, reporting likely to C-suite level given global scope and responsibility for entire data center operations strategy, including CAPEX decisions and customer relationship management at executive level

Key Projects

Global manufacturing footprint optimization projects involving facility consolidation, capacity expansion, and technology upgrades across multiple European locations End-to-end supply chain transformation initiatives including supplier diversification, logistics optimization, and inventory management system implementations Customer-specific capacity planning and quality improvement projects for major data center operators requiring cross-functional coordination and executive stakeholder management

Success Factors

Ability to navigate complex matrix organizations and influence without direct authority while building consensus across diverse stakeholder groups including manufacturing, engineering, procurement, and business development teams Strategic thinking combined with operational excellence to balance long-term capacity planning with short-term delivery commitments while managing cost pressures and quality requirements Deep understanding of data center industry dynamics including cooling technology trends, customer procurement cycles, and infrastructure development patterns that drive demand forecasting accuracy Strong financial acumen for CAPEX planning, business case development, and P&L management combined with ability to communicate complex operational strategies to executive leadership and key customers

Market Demand

Very high demand due to explosive data center market growth, critical need for operations expertise in cooling systems, and shortage of professionals with both manufacturing operations and data center industry experience

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Matrix leadership and influence skills are absolutely essential as this role requires coordinating resources and driving results across multiple functions, geographies, and organizational levels without traditional hierarchical authority, making relationship building and consensus building capabilities fundamental to success Strategic thinking and business acumen are critical for balancing competing priorities including cost optimization, quality requirements, capacity planning, and customer satisfaction while making CAPEX decisions that impact long-term business performance and market positioning Data center industry knowledge is increasingly important as this specialized market has unique requirements for cooling systems, power management, and infrastructure reliability that differ significantly from traditional manufacturing sectors and drive customer expectations

Beneficial Skills

Digital operations expertise including IoT, predictive analytics, and Industry 4.0 technologies will become increasingly valuable as manufacturing operations become more data-driven and customers demand greater visibility and predictability Sustainability and energy efficiency knowledge will provide competitive advantage as data center operators face increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact and comply with evolving regulations Change management and transformation leadership skills will be valuable for driving continuous improvement initiatives and adapting operations to rapidly evolving market requirements and customer expectations

Unique Aspects

Rare combination of traditional manufacturing operations leadership with cutting-edge data center industry focus, providing exposure to one of the fastest-growing infrastructure sectors while leveraging established industrial expertise
Global scope with hands-on responsibility for CAPEX decisions and manufacturing strategy across multiple countries, offering significant strategic influence and business impact rarely found at this career level
Direct customer interface role during critical situations, providing exceptional visibility to key accounts and opportunity to build relationships with major data center operators and cloud service providers
Virtual team leadership model across multiple time zones and cultures, developing advanced matrix management skills highly valued in today's globalized business environment

Career Growth

3-5 years to VP/GM level given the strategic scope and global responsibility of current role, with potential for C-suite progression within 7-10 years based on business performance and leadership development

Potential Next Roles

Vice President of Global Operations or Chief Operations Officer roles within industrial manufacturing companies, particularly those serving infrastructure or high-tech markets General Manager or Business Unit Leader positions with full P&L responsibility for product lines or geographical regions within multinational corporations Senior leadership roles in management consulting focused on operations transformation, supply chain optimization, or manufacturing strategy for industrial clients

Company Overview

Danfoss

Danfoss is a Danish multinational corporation and global leader in engineered solutions for refrigeration, heating, cooling, and motion control, with over 90 years of innovation heritage and strong presence in industrial automation and climate solutions markets

Market leader in mobile hydraulics and thermal management solutions with significant competitive advantages in energy efficiency technologies and strong customer relationships across construction, agriculture, and data center industries
This role represents a critical European operations hub covering key manufacturing locations in France, Germany, and Slovakia, positioning the role at the center of Danfoss's European supply chain strategy for high-growth data center market
Family-owned company culture emphasizing long-term thinking, sustainability focus, and employee development with strong engineering heritage and collaborative approach to innovation and customer partnership
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