Production Manager | DSL-01

Please note: For this role proficiency in both Dutch and English is required.

Join us in shaping one of Europe’s most exciting greenfield energy projects. You will contribute to building the first plant in Europe dedicated solely to the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and its by-products. Become part of a driven, high‑performance team of change makers where your expertise directly influences the safe, timely, and successful delivery of the DSL-01 project.

As Production Manager, you will shape both how this plant is built and how it will operate. Reporting to the Plant Manager, this role connects two worlds: influencing critical design decisions today, and leading full-scale production from 2028 onwards. Few roles offer this level of end-to-end impact from design intent to operational excellence.

During the project phase, you bring the reality of plant operations into the design process. You ensure that systems are not only technically sound, but safe, maintainable, and practical to operate in a 24/7 environment. Your input will directly influence how the plant performs for decades to come. This phase requires close collaboration with engineering teams, contractors, and suppliers, including regular presence in Zoetermeer and at supplier locations.

Once the plant becomes operational, you take ownership of daily production performance. You lead a team of shift supervisors and operators, ensuring safe, compliant, and predictable operations in a Seveso-regulated environment. You establish structure, rhythm, and accountability, building a high-performing production organization from the ground up. This is a day-shift role within a continuous 24/7 operation.

Your focus is clear: stable operations, strong teams, and continuous improvement.

In the operational phase, you will:

• Lead daily production, ensuring performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost

• Translate production plans into clear priorities and a stable, predictable workflow

• Drive performance using KPIs such as OEE, throughput, downtime, energy use, and cost

• Build and lead a strong operations team, motivating individuals and developing supervisors and operators

• Ensure strict adherence to QHSE standards and foster a culture of discipline and accountability

• Work closely with Maintenance, Engineering, Laboratory, and Supply Chain to resolve issues and optimize performance

• Maintain clear reporting, strong shift handovers, and structured problem solving

In the project phase, you will:

• Bring operability into design, ensuring systems are safe, accessible, and maintainable

• Contribute to HAZOPs and 3D model reviews, identifying risks and improving design decisions

• Review engineering documents with an operational lens, including isolation, drainability, and cleaning concepts

• Contribute to commissioning execution plans, planning, and overall operational readiness

• Help develop procedures, training materials, and start-up documentation

• Translate design intent into practical operating knowledge for future teams

Across both phases, your impact is tangible: you ensure the transition from project to operations is smooth, and that DSL-01 runs safely, reliably, and efficiently from day one.

As a growing company in a rapidly evolving industry, we are looking for people who embrace change and are motivated to actively contribute to building and scaling our business. You are someone who feels comfortable in an entrepreneurial environment, takes ownership, and thrives when things are still developing.

You recognize yourself in the following:

• Fluent in Dutch and English

• Residing in or near Delfzijl

• 7–10+ years of experience in 24/7 industrial plant operations (e.g. chemical, process, fuels or similar high-risk environments)

• Proven experience in providing operational input during plant design or project phases

• Strong understanding of process operations, equipment, and safety-critical systems, including start-up and shutdown methodologies

• Ability to read and interpret technical documentation such as P&IDs and process control philosophies

• Experience leading supervisors and operational teams, with ownership of daily production performance

• The ability to motivate individuals and teams, building engagement, ownership, and a strong performance culture

• A structured and analytical mindset, with experience working with KPIs and continuous improvement methods

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to perform root cause analysis in complex environments

• The ability to stay effective under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a live operation

DSL-01 is SkyNRG’s frontrunning renewable fuels facility in Delfzijl, Netherlands. The plant will produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from residual fats and greases using the HEFA (Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids) pathway, with additional renewable products like butane, propane, and naphtha as by-products.

DSL-01 is the first facility in Europe dedicated entirely to SAF and its by-products. Once operational, it will produce 100,000 tonnes of SAF and 35,000 tonnes of sustainable by-products per year, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by around 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.

Construction started in 2026, with first fuel expected in 2028. The project includes the main facility, pipelines, and temporary work areas. At DSL-01, you will be part of a team building a state-of-the-art industrial plant from the ground up, contributing to a truly sustainable energy future.

Environmental and social responsibility are at the heart of DSL-01. We follow international frameworks and Dutch regulations to manage impacts on people, nature, and local communities. Safety, sustainability, and collaboration guide everything we do.

As DSL-01 is still being built, many aspects of the plant, roles, and benefits are still being shaped. Our HR team is actively defining the full compensation and benefits package specifically for the Delfzijl facility. You can be assured that the final offer will be highly competitive and designed to reward your expertise, contribution, and impact as we bring this pioneering SAF plant to life.

We are committed to offering an attractive total package to ensure we attract the best talent in the market. This includes a competitive salary, performance-based incentives, and a range of benefits that support your personal and professional growth.

At DSL-01, you will work in a dynamic, innovative environment where technical curiosity, problem-solving, and teamwork are valued. You will engage with operators, engineers, and managers across disciplines, helping to bring a pioneering renewable fuels facility to life while making a real impact on the planet.

Are you ready to help build a plant from the ground up? Join a pioneering force in sustainable aviation and help create a cleaner, more sustainable future.

For more information about DSL-01 (part of the SkyNRG) visit www.SkyNRG.com.

📌 Please note: We do not accept sales inquiries or intermediary services.

At DSL-01 and SkyNRG as a whole, we deeply value inclusion and diversity. As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to ensuring every applicant has a fair chance, irrespective of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or any other legally protected characteristics.