Production Manager

Key Responsibilities

Production Operations Management

• Lead and manage all production activities to ensure achievement of production targets, quality standards, and customer delivery requirements.
• Develop and execute production schedules in alignment with sales forecasts and export requirements.
• Ensure efficient utilization of manpower, machinery, facilities, and production resources.
• Monitor daily production performance and implement corrective actions to address operational issues.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity, yield, and manufacturing efficiency.

Food Safety and Quality Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with:
• Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
• HACCP requirements
• Halal standards and certification requirements
• US FDA regulations and export requirements
• Food Safety Management Systems
• Local FDA and regulatory requirements
• Customer and international food safety standards
• Maintain a strong food safety culture throughout the manufacturing organization.
• Ensure proper implementation and monitoring of Critical Control Points (CCPs).
• Oversee adherence to sanitation, hygiene, allergen management, traceability, and product safety protocols.
• Participate in regulatory inspections, customer audits, certification audits, and supplier audits.

Audit and Regulatory Readiness

• Lead plant preparedness for:
• US FDA inspections
• HACCP audits
• Halal certification audits
• cGMP compliance audits
• Customer audits
• Internal and external quality audits
• Ensure timely implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Maintain complete and accurate production and compliance documentation.
• Partner with Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs teams to address compliance gaps.

Production Planning and Inventory Management

• Collaborate closely with Sales, Supply Chain, Procurement, Warehouse, and Export teams.
• Ensure production plans support local distribution, retail operations, and export commitments.
• Manage inventory utilization to minimize waste and maximize operational efficiency.
• Monitor raw material and packaging availability to avoid production disruptions.

Process Improvement and Operational Excellence

• Implement Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Reduce wastage, rework, downtime, and production losses.
• Analyze production metrics and identify opportunities for process optimization.
• Establish performance improvement programs aligned with company objectives.

Equipment and Maintenance Coordination

• Coordinate preventive and predictive maintenance activities with the Engineering team.
• Ensure maximum equipment uptime and operational reliability.
• Participate in equipment upgrades, process validation, and capacity expansion projects.

Cost and Productivity Management

• Manage labor efficiency, material utilization, and manufacturing costs.
• Monitor production KPIs and recommend improvement actions.
• Support budgeting and cost reduction initiatives without compromising quality and food safety standards.

Leadership and Talent Development

• Lead production supervisors, team leaders, and operators.
• Develop a high-performance culture focused on accountability, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Coach and mentor team members to build organizational capability.
• Ensure competency development in food safety, quality, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in:
• Food Technology
• Chemical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Operations Management
• Or a related discipline
• Master's Degree or MBA is an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in food manufacturing operations.
• At least 5 years in a Production Manager or Manufacturing Manager role.
• Proven experience managing medium to large-scale food manufacturing facilities.
• Experience supporting both domestic and export markets.
• Strong track record in productivity improvement, quality management, and food safety compliance.