our client is seeking an experienced Head of Manufacturing to lead and oversee end-to-end manufacturing operations for a fast-growing food company. The role will be responsible for driving operational excellence, ensuring product quality, optimizing production efficiency, and building scalable manufacturing capabilities to support business growth.
The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in food manufacturing, plant operations, process optimization, and regulatory compliance, along with strong leadership capabilities to manage large production teams.
Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing & Operations Leadership
- Lead overall plant manufacturing operations including production, maintenance, quality, and supply coordination.
- Develop and implement manufacturing strategies aligned with the company's growth plans.
- Ensure efficient utilization of resources including manpower, machinery, and materials.
Production Planning & Efficiency
- Drive production planning to meet demand forecasts while maintaining optimal inventory levels.
- Improve productivity through process optimization, automation, and lean manufacturing practices.
- Monitor plant KPIs such as OEE, yield, wastage, downtime, and cost efficiency.
Quality & Compliance
- Ensure strict adherence to food safety and quality standards including HACCP, ISO, FSSAI, GMP, and other regulatory requirements.
- Work closely with the Quality team to maintain high product standards and reduce defects.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
Cost Management
- Manage manufacturing budgets and drive cost optimization across operations.
- Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve yield, and control production costs.
Team Leadership
- Lead and mentor cross-functional teams across production, engineering, and plant operations.
- Build strong leadership within the plant team and drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Capex & Plant Expansion
- Lead plant capacity planning and expansion projects.
- Manage new equipment installation, process upgrades, and plant modernization initiatives.
Cross Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Supply Chain, Procurement, R&D, and Quality teams to ensure seamless operations.
- Support new product launches from a manufacturing feasibility and scale-up perspective.
Key Requirements
- 1520 years of experience in manufacturing within the food / FMCG industry
- Strong experience managing large-scale food manufacturing plants
- Proven track record in process optimization, operational efficiency, and cost management
- Deep understanding of food safety standards and regulatory compliance
- Experience in plant setup, expansion, or automation projects is a strong advantage
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills
