Strategic Projects Trainee

As Strategic Projects Trainee you take on a series of critical improvement projects across our organization. Each assignment lasts 4 to 8 weeks and covers areas like production planning, customer service optimization, procurement, or internal process design. You receive strategic direction from the CEO — and then make it happen by working closely with the teams on the ground.

This is a hands-on role. Your success depends on your ability to connect with operators, engineers, planners, and support staff — understanding how they work, earning their trust, and co-creating solutions that actually stick. You combine sharp analytical thinking with genuine people skills. At the end of the 6-month traineeship, a permanent position within the organization is a real and intended possibility.

•      Take ownership of cross-functional improvement projects defined and prioritized by the CEO

•      Spend real time with the teams involved — in production, logistics, service, and administration — to understand current ways of working before designing solutions

•      Analyze problems, co-develop solutions with stakeholders, and deliver actionable outcomes within tight timelines

•      Typical projects include: restructuring production planning, improving customer service workflows, optimizing procurement processes, and building internal reporting frameworks

•      Work across departments — operations, finance, sales, customer success — to gather insights and align stakeholders

•      Build trust with colleagues at all levels: from operators and technicians to site managers and leadership

•      Navigate different perspectives and find common ground; you listen before you propose

•      Translate strategic direction into plans that people on the ground understand and support

•      Document processes, create templates, and establish repeatable frameworks that outlast the project

•      Support the professionalization of a 60-person organization in rapid growth

•      Prepare presentations, business cases, and decision documents for leadership

•      Master’s degree in Business Economics, Business Engineering, Applied Economics, or a related discipline

•      0–2 years of professional experience; recent graduates with strong academic records are encouraged to apply

•      Exceptional analytical and structuring skills — you break down complexity with ease

•      High emotional intelligence: you read the room, adapt your communication style, and genuinely enjoy working with people from all backgrounds and roles

•      Able to build rapport quickly — equally comfortable in a boardroom and on the production floor

•      Strong sense of ownership and drive; you don’t wait to be told what to do next

•      Pragmatic, detail-oriented, and deadline-driven

•      Excellent communication skills in both Dutch and English (spoken and written)

•      Willing to travel to our sites in Asten (NL) and Leuven (BE) when projects require it

•      Master’s degree in Business Economics, Business Engineering, Applied Economics, or a related discipline

•      0–2 years of professional experience; recent graduates with strong academic records are encouraged to apply

•      Exceptional analytical and structuring skills — you break down complexity with ease

•      High emotional intelligence: you read the room, adapt your communication style, and genuinely enjoy working with people from all backgrounds and roles

•      Able to build rapport quickly — equally comfortable in a boardroom and on the production floor

•      Strong sense of ownership and drive; you don’t wait to be told what to do next

•      Pragmatic, detail-oriented, and deadline-driven

•      Excellent communication skills in both Dutch and English (spoken and written)

•      Willing to travel to our sites in Asten (NL) and Leuven (BE) when projects require it

•      A unique 6-month traineeship with direct exposure to leadership and real operational challenges

•      Varied, high-impact work across the full breadth of a robotics scale-up — no two projects are the same

•      A steep learning curve and genuine responsibility from day one

•      A collaborative, no-nonsense team culture where your contribution is visible and valued

•      A realistic pathway to a permanent role based on performance and mutual fit

•      Competitive compensation for a traineeship position

•      Base in Zemst (BE), with regular involvement at our sites in Leuven (BE) and Asten (NL)

Octiva is a fast-growing robotics company on a mission to help growers succeed through smart automation. Our advanced robotic systems are designed for high-performance operation in controlled environments, combining technical precision with real-world reliability. We work closely with growers, engineers, and researchers to deliver meaningful innovation that transforms agricultural efficiency and sustainability.

We’re expanding internationally and building a team of driven, collaborative professionals who want to make a real impact — not just on product performance, but on the lives and success of our customers