Chief Operating Officer - Dairy Products

An established organization in the food sector, specializing in dairy products.

Your role: It is a leadership role that has significant impact on the overall business. You will provide overall strategic leadership to the Operations departments, driving the company's mission to deliver high-quality dairy products. Accountable for leading and overseeing all aspects of production operations, from greenfield and brownfield project management to day-to-day manufacturing excellence. Your focus will include optimizing production output, managing resources, and look at digitization and automation . Additionally, you will lead innovation initiatives and develop annual business plans to support the organization's growth and efficiency objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Business Planning:

- Provide overall strategic direction and leadership to the Operations departments, aligning operational strategies with the company's long-term goals.

- Develop and implement annual business plans that support the company's growth, efficiency, and innovation objectives.

Production Planning and Optimization:

- Oversee the effective utilization of resources, including equipment, materials, and labor, to maximize production output and efficiency.

- Develop production schedules that meet customer demand and align with business goals.

Innovation and Process Improvement:

- Lead innovation initiatives to explore new technologies and processes that can enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve product quality.

- Identify and implement process improvements, automation, and innovative solutions to drive operational excellence.

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

- Ensure compliance with industry regulations, quality standards, and food safety guidelines, maintaining the highest standards of product quality and safety.

- Oversee quality control processes and implement measures to ensure consistent product quality.

Team Management and Development:

- Lead and manage a team of manufacturing professionals, including supervisors, technicians, and operators.

- Foster a culture of continuous learning and development, providing guidance, coaching, and support to team members.

- Set performance objectives, conduct evaluations, and implement training programs to enhance team capabilities.

Supply Chain and Inventory Management:

- Collaborate with the supply chain team to ensure the timely availability of raw materials and packaging materials for production.

- Monitor and manage inventory levels, optimizing supply chain processes to minimize costs and prevent shortages.

Cost Management:

- Monitor manufacturing costs, identify areas for cost reduction, and implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising quality and safety.

- Collaborate with other departments, such as Engineering, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain, to streamline operations and resolve issues.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

- Participate in cross-functional meetings, provide strategic insights, and contribute to high-level decision-making processes.

- Work closely with senior leadership to align operational strategies with overall business objectives and drive organizational success.

Must Have:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).

Experience: Proven experience (15+ years) in manufacturing management, supply chain and a must have is experience in fresh dairy and value added products .

Expertise: In-depth knowledge of dairy production processes, equipment, and quality standards.

Skills:

- Demonstrated expertise in process improvement methodologies, such as Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma.

- Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop teams.

- Comprehensive understanding of health and safety regulations and practices in a manufacturing environment.

- Proficiency in data analysis, performance metrics, and production planning tools.

- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make data-driven decisions.

- Superior communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.

- Results-oriented with a strong focus on continuous improvement and innovation.

- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing business needs.