Dirk Van Ruymbeke

Experienced Operations Director // People Oriented // Result Driven

Ghent Metropolitan Area

About

With over 25 years of experience in operational management within renowned companies such as The Coca-Cola Company and La Lorraine Bakery Group, I am a loyal and passionate professional. My expertise includes operations, supply chain, quality, supplier management, and customer service. As Director of Operations at La Lorraine Bakery Group, I lead the production and the daily distribution of fresh bakery and patisserie products to over 2500 customers, with a team of 11 direct reports, and 6 production plants / distribution centers. My approach is rational and people-oriented, resulting in efficient and effective business operations. I am fluent in Dutch, English, and French, enabling me to operate in diverse international environments.

Experience

  • Operations Director Transport at Mervielde NV
    Nov 2025 - Present · 8 mos

    Leading the Transport Operations, as part of the Executive Committee (Directie). Specialised business of Liquid Bulk Chemicals Transport and Logistics.

  • Director of Operations at La Lorraine Bakery Group
    Jun 2007 - Jul 2025 · 18 yrs 2 mos

    Leading the Operations at La Lorraine Bakery Group Business Unit "Fresh". Production and Distribution of Fresh Bakery and Patisserie products for the Retail Market in Belgium. Multi-production-and-distribution-sites. Increasing responsibilities, in scope & size... , in a growing business with appr 15 acquisitions over the past 18 years. Experience in Mergers & Acquisitions and Reorganisations. Re-shaped the Operations towards a Competence Center Model, with currently 7 Production Plants, appr. 1.400 FTE's & appr. 300 Mio € revenue. Organized Inter Company Logistics & Direct Delivery Logistics. Centralized the Customer Service Departement. Facilitated scaling and efficiency improvement. Installed and started up new production lines. Managed several crisisses.

  • The Coca-Cola Company (Brussels)
    • Operations Manager
      May 2004 - Jun 2007 · 3 yrs 2 mos

      Operations Management for the Juice Business of The Coca-Cola Company with client Mc Donalds in Europe, Eurasia, Africa & Asia Pacific

    • Bottler Audit & Certification Process Manager
      Jan 2000 - Apr 2004 · 4 yrs 4 mos

      Setting up a new The Coca-Cola Company internal Audit Approach on Quality, Environment and Health & Safety audits at Coca-Cola Bottling plants. Setting up a TCCC Quality Certification methodology. Recruiting and training external audit experts... and crearting a pool of experienced audit professionals throughout Europe & Eurasia. Guiding the TCCC audits at bottling facilities.

    • (Senior) Project Engineer
      Sep 1995 - Jan 2000 · 4 yrs 5 mos

      Starting as junior project Engineer in the Beverage Packaging areas (cans, PET, Glass, crowns, ...). Evolving in functionof Project Engineer and Senior Project Engineer, with increasing responsibilities. Organising internal trainings on Packaging / Packaging materials. Auditing packaging suppliers in Europe, Eurasia, Africa. Guiding continuous improvement projects, such a lightweighting. Assisting in crisis-management on packaging and filling operations.