Plant Operations Manager (FNB

Work Setup: Full Onsite

Schedule: Monday to Friday, Dayshift

Role Overview

The Plant Operations Manager is a senior leadership role who will manage the overall large-scale manufacturing facility, ensuring seamless integration of production, engineering, quality, supply chain, and maintenance functions. This role is accountable for driving operational excellence, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement across a high-volume food manufacturing environment. It also ensures consistent delivery of quality output while meeting business demand and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Technology, Operations Management, or a related field
MBA or postgraduate qualification is an advantage
12–15+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations
Strong background in food manufacturing, particularly dough-based, baked goods, flour-based, or commissary operations
Proven experience in senior plant leadership roles (e.g., Plant Head, Operations Director, Manufacturing Director, or equivalent)
Deep knowledge of GMP, HACCP, food safety standards, and regulatory compliance in food production
Experience managing large-scale, high-volume production facilities and cross-functional teams
Strong expertise in production, engineering maintenance, supply chain coordination, and operational planning

Key Responsibilities

Plant Operations Leadership

Oversee end-to-end plant operations covering production, engineering, quality, warehouse, and maintenance functions
Drive achievement of operational KPIs including efficiency, output, waste reduction, downtime, and service levels
Lead plant-wide planning and execution to meet production demand and business growth requirements
Develop and implement strategies to enhance overall plant productivity and performance
Production & Manufacturing Management
Manage high-volume dough-based or similar food manufacturing operations with focus on consistency and efficiency
Oversee production planning, scheduling, capacity management, and manpower deployment
Ensure strict compliance with production standards, SOPs, and manufacturing best practices
Implement continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, TPM, Kaizen, or similar methodologies
Quality, Food Safety & Compliance
Ensure full compliance with GMP, HACCP, sanitation, and food safety regulations
Collaborate with Quality Assurance and R&D teams to maintain product integrity and consistency
Lead initiatives to reduce defects, deviations, and production waste
Engineering & Maintenance
Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs to ensure high equipment reliability and uptime
Support facility upgrades, automation initiatives, and plant expansion projects
Ensure readiness and efficiency of all production equipment and infrastructure
Supply Chain & Inventory Coordination
Work closely with procurement, logistics, and supply chain teams to ensure uninterrupted production flow
Monitor raw material usage, inventory levels, and production forecasts
Ensure operational readiness during peak demand and nationwide distribution requirements
People Leadership & Organizational Development
Lead, mentor, and develop plant leadership teams across all operational functions
Foster a culture of accountability, safety, discipline, and continuous improvement
Drive workforce planning, capability development, and succession planning initiatives
Financial & Operational Performance
Manage plant budgets, cost controls, and resource optimization programs
Analyze performance metrics and implement corrective actions where necessary
Drive operational efficiency while maintaining quality and service standards