Manufacturing Operations Manager

As Singapore’s leading homegrown manufacturer of halal certified ice cream, gelato and sorbets for over 21 years, we supply a diverse range of clients with our premium products. Selling both locally and internationally, we are committed to making sweet memories with food. From our 18,000 sq. ft. factory, we produce classic and create bespoke flavours for our clients. Our products are also available wholesale under our _Oishi _and _Artisertz brands _or as OEM. We offer a wide range of value added products (equipment, packaging, and ingredients) and services to complement what we manufacture.

**Job Summary**:
The Operations Manager in Food Manufacturing is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, ensuring production efficiency, product quality, compliance with food safety standards, and the achievement of business objectives. This role requires leadership in production planning, cross-department collaboration, and continuous improvement in manufacturing processes.

**Key Responsibilities**:
**1. Operations Management**:

- Plan, coordinate, and manage all production activities to meet targets for volume, quality, and cost.
- Develop and implement daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules aligned with sales forecasts and inventory requirements.
- Monitor performance metrics (KPIs) and drive continuous improvements in productivity, efficiency, and cost management.
- Collaborate with R&D, Quality, and Sales departments for new product launches and process adjustments.

**2. Food Safety & Quality Compliance**:

- Ensure that all operations adhere to regulatory and industry food safety standards (HACCP, ISO, FSSC).
- Collaborate with the Quality Assurance team to maintain product quality and meet customer specifications.
- Implement corrective actions for deviations and lead investigations into quality issues.

**3. Warehouse & Inventory Management**:

- Oversee the warehousing, inventory, and raw material management to ensure continuous production with mínimal downtime.
- Monitor stock levels and coordinate with the procurement team for timely raw material replenishment.
- Manage storage conditions for raw materials and finished goods to meet regulatory standards.

**4. Maintenance & Equipment Efficiency**:

- Collaborate with the maintenance team to ensure machinery uptime and performance.
- Develop preventive maintenance schedules to avoid unplanned downtime.
- Evaluate equipment performance and recommend upgrades or replacements as needed.

**5. Workforce Management & Leadership**:

- Lead, coach, and mentor production supervisors and team members to foster a high-performance culture.
- Develop staffing plans, conduct performance appraisals, and identify training needs.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and labor regulations, creating a safe working environment.

**6. Financial Management & Reporting**:

- Prepare and manage the operations budget, ensuring cost efficiency across production, labor, and materials.
- Analyze operational data and provide regular reports to senior management on performance and improvements.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or safety.

**7. Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing**:

- Implement lean manufacturing principles to improve processes and eliminate waste.
- Identify and lead process improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
- Stay updated on industry trends and best practices in food manufacturing.

**Qualifications & Skills**:

- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in food manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a managerial role.
- In-depth knowledge of HACCP, FSSC, and other food safety regulations.
- Proven leadership and team management skills.
- Experience with ERP systems for production and inventory management.
- Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making abilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

**Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)**:

- Production output vs. target
- Product quality (defect rate, customer complaints)
- On-time delivery performance
- Cost per unit and waste reduction
- Equipment uptime and maintenance compliance
- Safety compliance (incidents and accidents)

**Work Conditions**:

- This role requires working on-site at the manufacturing plant.
- Will involve occasional extended hours, including weekends, during peak production periods.
- Physical demands include walking around the plant and monitoring production lines.