At the Building Solutions business unit within the Hydronics division of Danfoss, we are redefining manufacturing to meet the demands of a sustainable, digital, and customer-centric future
As Director of Operations at our Silkeborg plant, you will play a critical strategic role in leading the transformation of the site into a future-ready manufacturing hub—a facility that is lean, data-driven, energy- and cost-efficient, and fully aligned with our end-to-end value chain and evolving customer expectations
This is a high-impact leadership role with full accountability for end-to-end plant operations, owning results across safety, quality, cost, delivery, and customer experience. You will foster a high-performance culture through transformational leadership—championing Lean practices, digitalization, and continuous improvement
A key priority is to develop leadership capabilities and engage talent at all levels, building a strong succession pipeline and a resilient, future-ready workforce. This role also demands strong stakeholder management—balancing the needs of senior leadership, local teams, unions, and customers—while ensuring clear, inclusive, and effective communication across the organization
You will report directly to the Senior Director, Supply Chain – Building Solutions, and collaborate closely across functions to deliver on both local and global strategic goals.
- Champion Safety and Compliance: Drive a zero-incident culture rooted in proactive QEHS (Quality, Environment, Health & Safety) management. Strengthen safety leadership, process ownership, and employee competence across all levels.
- Elevate Quality and Customer Value: Lead a culture of continuous quality improvement and first-time-right mentality. Strengthen quality systems, root cause problem solving (RCPS), and customer complaint prevention.
- Achieve World-Class Delivery Performance: Optimize and continuosly improve SIOP&E (Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning & Execution) processes. Implement Root Cause Problem Solving (RCPS) and continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen delivery accuracy, flexibility, and cross-functional accountability.
- Drive Lean, Digital, and Agile Transformation: Implement and sustain Danfoss Productivity Program (DPP) principles. Leverage Lean Manufacturing, automation, digital tools (MES, OEE, ERP), and process simplification to improve flow and factory utilization. Boost decision speed and frontline empowerment through real-time data transparency.
- Foster a High-Performance, Growth-Oriented Workforce: Empower, develop, and engage teams at all levels through clear roles, ownership, and growth opportunities. Promote an inclusive, performance-driven, and learning-oriented culture.
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate combines strategic foresight with operational rigor and people-centered leadership.
You bring:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field; Master's preferred.
- Proven track record in managing factory operations in a multinational, matrixed environment.
- Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, Kaizen, and data-driven improvement methodologies.
- Demonstrated leadership in QEHS, compliance, and risk mitigation.
- Strong digital and systems literacy (MES, ERP, OEE analytics).
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work across functions and influence without authority.
- High learning agility, courage to challenge the status quo, and a collaborative mindset.
- Fluent English; Danish proficiency is a plus.
- We promote from within and support your learning with mentoring, training, and access to global opportunities.
- You’ll have flexibility, autonomy, and support to do your best work while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Your well-being matters to us.
- We strive to create an inclusive work environment where people of all backgrounds are respected, and valued for who they are.
- You’ll receive benefits like 13th salary, annual bonus, paid vacation, pension plans, personal insurance, and more. These vary by country and contract, but they’re worth asking about—we think they’re pretty great.
Danfoss engineers solutions that increase machine productivity, reduce emissions, lower energy consumption, and enable electrification.
Our solutions are used in such areas as refrigeration, air conditioning, heating, power conversion, motor control, industrial machinery, automotive, marine, and off- and on-highway equipment. We also provide solutions for renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, as well as district-energy infrastructure for cities.
Our innovative engineering dates back to 1933. Danfoss is family-owned, employing more than 39.000 people, serving customers in more than 100 countries through a global footprint of 95 factories.
