Chief Technology & Operations Officer
- Operations
- Industrial
Requirements*
- Over 15 years of experience
- As operational leader in a process technology industry dealing with high volumes and stringent regulations
- In sectors such as chemicals, (bio)fuels, oil and gas, or food processing
- Experience in operational excellence
- And leading operational growth projects driven by technological innovation
- English fluency and a proficient level of Dutch
* Research shows that while male candidates feel confident enough to apply when they meet about 60% of the requirements, female candidates only apply when they tick every box. So if this role has your name on it, but you’re not sure about the criteria, we still want to hear from you.
Download full job spec
Sunoil Group is a leading international producer of high-grade biodiesel made from waste oils and fats, providing a sustainable and affordable fuel alternative for transportation and heat generation. The Chief Technology & Operations Officer optimizes Sunoil’s production facilities and leads significant operational growth through the implementation of smart manufacturing practices.
About Sunoil Group
When Sunoil was founded in 2006, the Dutch company was positioned well to quickly grow into a leading international producer and supplier of sustainable high-grade biodiesel. The company’s products result in 90% lower CO2 emissions than fossil fuels. This makes them an affordable decarbonization alternative for transportation and heating in line with the European Renewable Energy Directive, obliging fuel suppliers like BP and Shell to blend biodiesel with fossil fuels.
The Sunoil Group is one of only a few large players who derive second-generation biodiesel from waste oils and fats. In recent years, the company has doubled down on automation, quality checks, safety checks, and optimized sustainability processes. As a result of Sunoil’s continuous investments in its facilities and people, production capacity has increased from a maximum of 200,000 tons at the start of 2024 to an estimated 370,000 tons of biodiesel by the end of 2025. The operational growth facilitates the company’s expansion in existing segments and its ambitions to enter new sectors.
Sunoil Group has a highly automated production facility in Kampen with direct access to a harbor that ensures logistic efficiency and flexibility, and a production facility in Emmen with a state-of-the-art logistics center handling a hundred transactions every day. Each facility has an in-house lab and is supported by the company’s innovative Research and Technology (R&T) team. Combined with its trading office in Amsterdam, Sunoil employs over 60 FTEs and works with a network of external partners to supply its high-grade biodiesel through direct sales channels to customers in the Netherlands, continental Europe, and the UK.
Vacancy: Chief Technology & Operations Officer
The Chief Technology & Operations Officer (CTOO) drives the operational strategy, optimizing the current production process and enabling Sunoil’s growth ambitions through a technological transformation of the operations and R&T. The company has invested significantly in the automation and digitalization of the two production facilities in Emmen and Kampen. The CTOO will continue to expand production capacity by improving, automating, and scaling processes. He/she pursues the right balance between efficiency, flexibility, and margin after conducting an in-depth analysis of internal operational processes to identify inefficiencies and implement targeted improvements for enhanced performance, including possible cost-reducing initiatives.
Beyond operational excellence, the Chief Technology & Operations Officer defines Sunoil’s smart manufacturing vision and sets the technology roadmap for implementation. As part of the board, the CTOO collaborates with the CFO, CCO, and CC&SO to align the operational vision with the commercial and sustainability agenda and drive volume and margin growth. Their board reports and forecasts are critical to monitor performance and adjust Sunoil’s operational course where needed.
“We have invested in our assets, quality assurance, and staff and are scaling the production capacity and range of feedstock and final products. The CTOO will shape the future of our business through operational excellence and innovation.” – Marcel Garst, Chief Compliance & Sustainability Officer
The Chief Technology & Operations Officer leads the Plant Manager who manages the teams in both production facilities, including the production leaders, operators, and on-site laboratories. The CTOO expands on existing initiatives to work in a lean and agile way with visual management in the plants and fosters a resilient, agile work culture where trust and growth are central. The CTOO directly leads and builds out the current R&T team to accelerate innovation for operations, the supply chain, and business development.
This is an exciting opportunity for a tech-savvy leader who has previously scaled operations through a digital transformation. He/she forms a sharp vision of what industry 4.0/5.0 means for Sunoil, considering the complex industry landscape and strong compliance requirements. Combining their excellent skills in project management and empathic people leadership, he/she fits in with the company’s hands-on and enterprising culture. The CTOO embraces the Sunoil DNA and collaborates to deliver the best results, fulfilling the company’s mission to provide a sustainable and affordable alternative for transport and heating.
Interested?
Sunoil Group is working with Top of Minds to fill this vacancy.
To express your interest, please contact Stephanie Stuit at stephanie.stuit@topofminds.com
Apply for this function
Netherlands
Germany
Spain