A leading industrial machinery manufacturer based in Madrid is seeking an accomplished Industrial Director to spearhead its operations and drive the next phase of growth. This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to shape the future of a highly specialised, where every product is custom-built to meet unique client requirements.
As Industrial Director, you will be at the heart of operational strategy and production, working closely with engineering, procurement, and project management teams to ensure seamless integration from concept through delivery. This position provides not only financial rewards but also the chance to make a lasting impact on a business preparing for a strategic shift from an engineered-to-order (ETO) environment towards configured-to-order (CTO) models.
* Shape the operational direction of a €25m industrial machinery manufacturer as it transitions from ETO to CTO workflows, ensuring readiness for future scalability and innovation.
* Enjoy a highly competitive compensation package including a base salary of €120-140K, 15% bonus potential, monthly car allowance, and eligibility for restricted stock units.
* Work on-site in Madrid with limited travel requirements (10-15%), collaborating with expert teams across engineering, supply chain, IT, and production to deliver bespoke solutions for global clients.
What you'll do:
As Industrial Director, you will play an instrumental role in orchestrating the entire lifecycle of custom industrial machinery projects-from initial engineering concepts through sourcing strategies to final production release. Your day-to-day activities will involve close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to streamline operations and implement robust digital infrastructure that supports both current complexity and future scalability. You will champion initiatives that enhance efficiency across departments while maintaining rigorous quality standards. By mentoring your direct reports-including managers from engineering, production, procurement, project management, and quality-you will foster an environment where continuous improvement thrives. Your expertise will be crucial as you prepare the business for its strategic transition towards more modular configured-to-order offerings. Success in this role means delivering outstanding results for customers while positioning the company at the forefront of operational excellence within the sector.
* Lead the execution of operations strategy across Spain with a focus on integrating design engineering, procurement, and production within engineered-to-order manufacturing workflows.
* Drive end-to-end ETO processes by ensuring that customer specifications are accurately translated into bills of materials (BOMs), routings, and detailed manufacturing plans.
* Act as the business process owner for ERP systems supporting ETO environments by configuring and evolving platforms to align with custom engineering and production needs.
* Collaborate closely with Engineering, Sales, Supply Chain, and IT teams to develop cross-functional processes that reduce lead times and improve delivery accuracy while enhancing profitability.
* Implement structured methods for engineering change management, material master governance, and variant management to guarantee high-quality outcomes in ETO settings.
* Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure success across engineering release accuracy, cycle time reduction, production throughput improvements, cost-to-serve optimisation, and delivery performance.
* Build and mentor geographically dispersed operations teams by fostering a culture rooted in transparency, accountability, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing.
* Act as a strategic change agent by guiding the organisation's evolution from fully ETO to hybrid or CTO workflows through developing product structures and configuration logic.
* Ensure compliance with local and international regulations while upholding operational excellence and industry best practices throughout all processes.
What you bring:
To excel as Industrial Director in this forward-thinking organisation, you will bring extensive experience managing complex manufacturing operations-particularly those involving engineered-to-order products. Your background should demonstrate not only technical proficiency but also an empathetic approach to team leadership that values open communication and shared goals. You will have successfully navigated ERP system implementations or optimisations within similar environments and possess a keen understanding of how digital tools can enhance operational agility. Your proven track record includes driving process improvements through careful analysis of key metrics while remaining sensitive to regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate combines strategic vision with hands-on expertise-balancing long-term transformation initiatives with day-to-day operational demands. Your fluency in English ensures smooth interaction with international colleagues; Spanish language skills further strengthen your ability to connect locally. Above all else, your commitment to nurturing talent and fostering interdepartmental cooperation sets you apart as a trusted leader ready for this significant challenge.
* Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing or related technical discipline is required; Master's degree or MBA is preferred for candidates aspiring to senior leadership roles.
* At least 10 years' experience in operations leadership within complex manufacturing environments-ideally within engineered-to-order or custom industrial equipment sectors.
* Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional and geographically dispersed teams with empathy and clarity while nurturing collaborative relationships across departments.
* Proven expertise in ERP system architecture and configuration (such as SAP, Oracle, Infor or Epicor) specifically tailored to support ETO production processes including BOM generation and item configuration.
* Experience designing and implementing process transitions from ETO to CTO environments including product platforming strategies that enable standardisation without sacrificing flexibility.
* Strong analytical skills combined with data-driven decision-making capabilities using operational metrics to drive ongoing improvements in efficiency and quality.
* Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred given the location and team composition.
* Exceptional communication skills enabling effective cross-functional collaboration as well as clear reporting to executive stakeholders.
* Deep understanding of design-to-production lifecycle management within industrial manufacturing contexts.
What sets this company apart:
This organisation stands out as a respected player in the industrial machinery sector thanks to its unwavering commitment to custom-engineered solutions tailored precisely to each client's needs. With headquarters near Madrid and a dedicated workforce of around 70 employees operating from a single site, it offers both stability and agility-enabling rapid adaptation without losing sight of quality or customer satisfaction. Employees benefit from being part of an inclusive culture where knowledge sharing is encouraged at every level; leaders are approachable yet focused on empowering their teams through training opportunities and transparent communication. The company's public ownership structure provides access to resources necessary for sustained growth while maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit that values input from all staff members. As it embarks on an exciting journey towards greater modularity via configured-to-order models, you'll find yourself at the centre of meaningful transformation-supported by generous compensation packages designed to reward your contributions over both short- and long-term horizons.
What's next:
If you are ready to take your career to new heights by shaping the future of industrial manufacturing operations in Madrid-this is your opportunity
Apply today by clicking on the link provided; we look forward to connecting with talented professionals who share our passion for operational excellence.