Plant Manager/Operation Manager – Food / Ingredients Manufacturing

The Plant Manager has full accountability for the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of a food / ingredient manufacturing facility. The role is responsible for delivering cost-effective, high-quality, and food-safe products, while building a disciplined operating culture, developing local leadership capability, and driving continuous improvement.

This position is a hands-on plant leader who balances operational excellence, food safety, people leadership, and financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Safety, Food Safety & Compliance (Top Priority)

Champion a Safety & Food Safety First culture across all levels of the organization

Ensure full compliance with:

• Food safety standards (e.g. HACCP, GMP, GFSI schemes)
• Local food regulations, labor laws, environmental permits
• Internal policies, audit, and governance requirements

Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions for:

• Safety incidents
• Food safety deviations
• Customer complaints and audit findings

2. Manufacturing & Operational Excellence

Deliver production targets aligned with cost, quality, delivery, and safety KPIs

Drive improvements in:

• OEE, yield, and material losses
• Downtime, changeover efficiency, and line stability
• Labor productivity and staffing effectiveness

Establish strong daily management routines (tier meetings, KPI reviews, escalation discipline)

Ensure robust SOPs controls, traceability, and documentation

3. Engineering, Maintenance & Asset Reliability

Lead maintenance strategy covering preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance

Improve asset reliability and reduce unplanned downtime

Ensure utilities (steam, power, water, compressed air, refrigeration) meet food-grade requirements

Own CAPEX planning and execution, including equipment upgrades, capacity expansion, and modernization

Ensure spare parts, contractors, and technical standards are well controlled

4. People Leadership & Workforce Development

Lead and develop a multi-layer organization across staff, supervisors, and operators

Build strong frontline leadership capability through coaching, clear accountability, and performance review

Promote engagement, discipline, and continuous improvement mindset

5. Quality, Cost & Performance Management

Own factory-level financial outcomes:

• Conversion cost
• Maintenance and utility spending
• Scrap, rework, and waste

Partner with Finance to manage budgets, forecasts, and cost-saving initiatives

Ensure quality consistency that meets customer and regulatory expectations

Support internal and external audits, customer visits, and certifications

6. Continuous Improvement & Growth Enablement

Support new product introductions, trials, and scale-up in collaboration with R&D and Commercial teams

Build operational readiness for future growth, new technologies, or new markets

Foster a problem-solving culture using structured methodologies (RCA, PDCA, Kaizen)

Key Experience & Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Industrial, Mechanical, Chemical, or related field. Engineering is preferred.

Experience

10–15+ years in manufacturing, with senior leadership experience in food or ingredient plants

Engineering background is preferred

Proven leadership of labor-intensive factories (≥150–200 operators)

Location of the plant will be discussed during the initial interview.