Production Optimization Specialist FMCG

Recruitment Matters Africa Pvt Ltd

Job Location:

Siavonga - Zambia

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 3 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of an operational roadmap to sustainably increase processing volumes while protecting product quality food safety and cost efficiency across the processing freezing and storage operations
Drive the transition from commodity-based processing into higher-margin value-added FMCG products by working closely with commercial marketing and supply chain teams
Lead international certification readiness and implementation for standards such as HACCP ISO 22000 and BAP including gap analysis SOP development staff training internal audits and coordination with external certification bodies
Act as deputy to the Site Operations Director and assume full operational responsibility during periods of absence emergency situations or critical decision-making requirements
Own and manage CAPEX projects related to processing freezing utilities and infrastructure from feasibility studies and cost-benefit analysis through equipment selection vendor management FAT installation and commissioning
Drive manufacturing process improvements to increase production capacity improve line efficiency reduce downtime and enhance cost performance
Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Six Sigma and structured problem-solving tools to eliminate waste improve reliability and standardize best practices
Conduct safety risk assessments equipment design reviews and contractor safety oversight to ensure compliance with occupational health and safety requirements
Support strengthen and continuously improve preventive and predictive maintenance programs including breakdown analysis and long-term recurrence prevention
Develop implement and maintain standardized process documentation visual management systems work instructions and production performance standards
Promote and enforce food safety quality assurance and health and safety requirements across all production optimization and improvement initiatives
Serve as the critical link between strategic site objectives and day-to-day operational execution within the processing plant
Manage and coordinate technicians operators and support staff on a daily basis to ensure production targets are achieved in line with company procedures and safety standards
Monitor the enforcement of quality control procedures to ensure finished products meet international food safety and quality specifications and escalate deviations appropriately
Contribute to the preparation of annual plant budgets and implement cost monitoring and control measures to manage expenditure and reduce operational costs
Work closely with suppliers logistics teams and internal stakeholders to manage raw material supply feed logistics finished goods distribution and inventory levels to minimize shortages and production interruptions

Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Food Science Food Technology Engineering Operations Management or a related field
Masters degree in a relevant discipline is preferred and considered an advantage
Formal training or certification in Lean Manufacturing Six Sigma Continuous Improvement or Operational Excellence is desirable
Strong working knowledge of international food safety quality and compliance standards applicable to FMCG and food processing environments

Skills

Strong expertise in FMCG production optimization food processing freezing and cold-chain operations
Proven ability to lead complex operational improvement and scale-up initiatives in a manufacturing environment
In-depth understanding of international food safety certification requirements and audit processes
Solid project management skills with experience delivering CAPEX and technology upgrade projects
Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to motivate develop and manage diverse operational teams
High-level analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret production data KPIs and cost metrics to drive decisions
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across technical operational and commercial teams
Strong focus on quality safety compliance and continuous improvement culture

Key Responsibilities Lead the development and execution of an operational roadmap to sustainably increase processing volumes while protecting product quality food safety and cost efficiency across the processing freezing and storage operations Drive the transition from commodity-based processing...

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of an operational roadmap to sustainably increase processing volumes while protecting product quality food safety and cost efficiency across the processing freezing and storage operations
Drive the transition from commodity-based processing into higher-margin value-added FMCG products by working closely with commercial marketing and supply chain teams
Lead international certification readiness and implementation for standards such as HACCP ISO 22000 and BAP including gap analysis SOP development staff training internal audits and coordination with external certification bodies
Act as deputy to the Site Operations Director and assume full operational responsibility during periods of absence emergency situations or critical decision-making requirements
Own and manage CAPEX projects related to processing freezing utilities and infrastructure from feasibility studies and cost-benefit analysis through equipment selection vendor management FAT installation and commissioning
Drive manufacturing process improvements to increase production capacity improve line efficiency reduce downtime and enhance cost performance
Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Six Sigma and structured problem-solving tools to eliminate waste improve reliability and standardize best practices
Conduct safety risk assessments equipment design reviews and contractor safety oversight to ensure compliance with occupational health and safety requirements
Support strengthen and continuously improve preventive and predictive maintenance programs including breakdown analysis and long-term recurrence prevention
Develop implement and maintain standardized process documentation visual management systems work instructions and production performance standards
Promote and enforce food safety quality assurance and health and safety requirements across all production optimization and improvement initiatives
Serve as the critical link between strategic site objectives and day-to-day operational execution within the processing plant
Manage and coordinate technicians operators and support staff on a daily basis to ensure production targets are achieved in line with company procedures and safety standards
Monitor the enforcement of quality control procedures to ensure finished products meet international food safety and quality specifications and escalate deviations appropriately
Contribute to the preparation of annual plant budgets and implement cost monitoring and control measures to manage expenditure and reduce operational costs
Work closely with suppliers logistics teams and internal stakeholders to manage raw material supply feed logistics finished goods distribution and inventory levels to minimize shortages and production interruptions

Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Food Science Food Technology Engineering Operations Management or a related field
Masters degree in a relevant discipline is preferred and considered an advantage
Formal training or certification in Lean Manufacturing Six Sigma Continuous Improvement or Operational Excellence is desirable
Strong working knowledge of international food safety quality and compliance standards applicable to FMCG and food processing environments

Skills

Strong expertise in FMCG production optimization food processing freezing and cold-chain operations
Proven ability to lead complex operational improvement and scale-up initiatives in a manufacturing environment
In-depth understanding of international food safety certification requirements and audit processes
Solid project management skills with experience delivering CAPEX and technology upgrade projects
Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to motivate develop and manage diverse operational teams
High-level analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret production data KPIs and cost metrics to drive decisions
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across technical operational and commercial teams
Strong focus on quality safety compliance and continuous improvement culture