Director Digital Manufacturing - Global

We are looking for a Director Global Digital Manufacturing to lead the practical digital transformation of our global manufacturing network. This role is about turning digital ambition into measurable operational results.

You will shape and drive a focused portfolio of digital initiatives that improve productivity, reliability, cost efficiency, and decision‑making across production sites. Success in this role comes from a strong manufacturing foundation, a pragmatic mindset, and the ability to influence across functions and geographies in a matrix organization.

This is not a pure strategy role. It is a hands‑on leadership position for someone who understands manufacturing realities and knows how to translate them into scalable digital solutions.

This hybrid role will be based at one of our sites in the US, Brazil or Europe with the possibility to work remote up to two days per week, and reports to the Global Head of Asset Management.

The Role

What You Will Do

Drive Manufacturing Digitalization with Impact

• Translate the manufacturing digital vision into a clear, actionable roadmap focused on value creation.
• Work directly with operations, maintenance, and technology teams to identify high‑impact digital opportunities.
• Balance long‑term direction with short‑term execution and learning.

Own the Global Digital Portfolio

• Lead the end‑to‑end manufacturing digitalization portfolio, including pipeline management and prioritization.
• Ensure initiatives are scalable across sites while allowing pilots where learning is required.
• Align funding through close collaboration with sites, IT, CAPEX, and global value programs.

Influence Across the Organization

• Act as the connector between manufacturing, IT, data, automation, and finance.
• Lead through influence rather than hierarchy in a global, multi‑site environment.
• Build strong relationships with site leaders and functional experts to ensure ownership and results.

Ensure Value Realization

• Define and track clear KPIs linked to operational performance and financial outcomes.
• Ensure digital initiatives move beyond pilots into sustained, daily use.
• Continuously adjust priorities based on performance and business needs.

What You Bring

• A strong background in manufacturing, operations, engineering, maintenance, or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of experience in industrial or manufacturing environments, ideally across multiple sites or regions.
• Proven experience driving digital or technology‑enabled improvements in manufacturing settings.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and how data and digital tools can improve them.
• A pragmatic, hands‑on mindset with persistence and resilience.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Comfortable operating in a global, matrix organization.

Why This Role

• High‑visibility, global role with direct impact on manufacturing performance.
• Opportunity to shape how digitalization is embedded into daily operations, not just strategy decks.
• Freedom to build, test, and scale solutions that make a real difference on the shop floor.
• A role suited for manufacturing leaders ready to apply their experience in a digital context.

About Corbion

Corbion is a global leader in sustainable food-ingredient solutions focused on advancing natural preservation and nutrition with science and innovation. By harnessing its deep expertise in fermentation and application development, Corbion empowers customers to create safe, sustainable, and longer-lasting food products. Corbion has manufacturing sites in The Netherlands, the United States, Brazil, Spain and Thailand.