Den Berk Délice is the largest tomato producer in Belgium. The company was formed when four friends and neighbouring tomato growers from the Kempen region decided to join forces. They combined their experience, know-how, and expertise for a single approach to the customer, and in 2014, their companies formally came under one umbrella: Den Berk Délice.

Today, the company has 10 active locations, including a hypermodern sorting centre in Hoogstraten, and a cultivation area of 90 hectares. They produce a large number of different varieties of tomatoes and aim to be a fresh retail partner, with specialty varieties of tomatoes of superior quality and taste.

In order to supply the tomato crops with all their energy needs, Den Berk Délice has set up an energy fleet comprising 80 MW CHPs, 42 MW E-boiler, and 50 MW assimilation lighting (making year-round production of tomatoes possible). With these assets, Den Berk Délice is active in all the possible power markets, in a very flexible and grid-supporting way. Sustainability is an important focus of the company, and energy is key in this story.

In order to manage its energy strategy, Den Berk Délice is searching for an Energy Operations Manager who will have the following key responsibilities and tasks:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• As an Energy Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the P&L of the energy business unit.
• When deploying various assets (multi-asset approach) in different markets (multi-market approach), you will ensure that different cultivation needs (heat, CO2 and electricity for lighting) are met, and that the maximum financial result is achieved. To achieve this, you will constantly look for the best strategy, which you will translate in a clear and simple way to the team of energy managers at the locations.
• In order to gain/maintain sufficient contact, you will also take on the role of energy manager for one of the production locations. In close cooperation with the cultivation managers, you will determine the priority energy needs that must be met, and then you will start working on their realization, keeping in mind the maximum financial results in different energy markets.
• In addition, you will take responsibility for operational domains such as service management, technical performance of the fleet, and legal and compliance.
• You will report to the Energy manager, who is part of the management team of Den Berk Délice.

KEY TASKS

Operations (global)
• Observe the market, analyse data, and work on developing short- and long-term energy strategy and market approach, with a view to achieving the set of production and financial targets
• Define specific action plans for different locations/plants, taking into account their specific needs
• Provide daily energy news and regular weekly guidance
• Organise regular (weekly, periodic) consultations to analyse operational results, explain market conditions, and provide an up-to-date action plan/strategy
• Organise location-specific consultations to discuss possible optimisations in close cooperation with the local energy manager
• Manage the technical energy installations of different locations, and ensure the plants are managed in a quality and productive manner
• Coordinate maintenance and technical installation servicing, monitor new energy installation projects, and ensure regular renewal of all required certificates

Energy manager (local)
• Take on the role of energy manager for one of the production locations
• Monitor the plant’s energy needs on a daily basis, in coordination with cultivation managers
• Nominate daily position on the day-ahead market
• Ensure that the steering of the assets is set up correctly, and respond optimally under all possible market conditions
• Consult with the local technical service regarding the planning of maintenance visits

Reporting
• Monitor whether the various internal reports and dashboards remain up to date and ensure they provide relevant information to make the best decisions
• Monitor and validate the invoicing process
• Validate the monthly report on energy results
• Ensure the optimisation of the revenue based on continuous analysis

Legal and compliance
• Ensure that technical calibrations and audits are performed on time in order to renew the necessary permits and certificates (VEKA files for the CHPs)
• Ensure, together with the team, that energy plans are produced for and shared with the government in a timely manner
• Ensure, together with the team, that all necessary actions are carried out and reported in the context of EBO (Energy Policy Agreement)
• Ensure timely adjustments to permits, emission measurements, safety procedures and training, compliance with insurance modalities