Sr. Manager / AGM – Plant Operations & Strategy

(Plant Operations & Strategy Lead – Overall Leadership of Multi-Plant Operations)

• Job Title: Sr. Manager / AGM – Plant Operations & Strategy

• Location: Dehgam & Jhalod Plants

• Reporting To: Director – Operations

• Qualification: / B.E. in Food Technology / Food Engineering (Food Specialist preferred)

• Experience: 14–22 years of proven experience in Plant Operations within Spices FMCG Food Processing or related manufacturing industries

Role Summary

The Sr. Manager / AGM – Plant Operations & Strategy will be responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of multiple manufacturing plants. The role will ensure achievement of production targets process improvement food safety compliance cost optimization operational excellence and sustainable business growth across all plant locations.

This position plays a critical role in aligning manufacturing operations with Sales demand forecasts and Supply Chain planning to ensure seamless coordination customer service excellence and business continuity.

The role also includes driving automation expansion process optimization leadership development and governance through regular operational reviews and plant visits.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Multi-Plant Oversight

• Provide strategic direction and operational leadership across all manufacturing plants
• Align plant strategies with organizational and operational objectives
• Standardize systems processes SOPs and best practices across locations
• Ensure optimum utilization of manpower machinery materials and utilities
• Drive operational discipline and consistency across all plants

2. Overall Plant Operations & Performance

• Oversee end-to-end operations including:

  • Production

  • Quality Assurance (QA)

  • Quality Control (QC)

  • Stores & Inventory

  • Maintenance

  • Dispatch & Logistics

• Ensure achievement of production quality efficiency and delivery targets
• Review daily production plans versus actual performance
• Monitor plant performance dashboards and MIS reports
• Handle critical operational escalations and key decision-making

3. Demand–Supply Integration & S&OP Leadership

• Align production planning with Sales forecasts and market demand
• Collaborate closely with Sales and SCM teams on demand planning and priority SKUs
• Ensure OTIF (On Time In Full) delivery performance
• Support raw material and packaging material planning with SCM
• Lead monthly S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) review meetings
• Balance production capacity inventory levels and working capital efficiency
• Minimize stock-outs excess inventory and slow-moving stock
• Ensure seamless coordination between plants warehouses and dispatch teams

4. Quality Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with:

  • FSSAI regulations
  • HACCP
  • GMP
  • FSMS
  • Statutory and customer audit requirements
• Lead internal customer regulatory and certification audits
• Ensure effective implementation of CAPA and audit closure
• Monitor customer complaints and corrective action effectiveness
• Drive food safety culture and quality excellence across plants

5. Technical Training & Capability Development

• Design and implement technical training programs for plant teams
• Upgrade technical and functional capabilities across Production QA QC Maintenance and Stores functions
• Develop second-line leadership and succession planning
• Promote cross-functional learning and sharing of best practices between plants

6. Plant Discipline Safety & Work Culture

• Ensure adherence to SOPs process discipline and operational compliance
• Promote a culture of safety hygiene accountability and ownership
• Ensure compliance with EHS standards and PPE usage
• Review incidents identify root causes and implement preventive actions

7. Coordination with Corporate / Head Office Functions

• Coordinate effectively with Operations QA HR SCM Finance and Sales teams
• Ensure timely submission of MIS reports dashboards and performance data
• Implement organizational policies systems and strategic initiatives at plant level

8. Cost Control & Profitability Management

• Manage plant budgets and monitor operational expenses
• Optimize utilization of manpower machinery materials and utilities
• Reduce wastage downtime losses and rework
• Drive productivity improvement and profitability enhancement initiatives

9. Automation Expansion & Continuous Improvement

• Lead automation digitalization and operational excellence initiatives
• Plan and execute plant expansion and capacity enhancement projects
• Evaluate and implement new technologies and equipment
• Support New Product Development (NPD) trials and commercialization activities
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across all operational areas

10. Management Reviews & Governance

Prepare and present monthly operational reviews to senior management

Present updates on:

• Production
• Quality
• Cost
• Safety
• Compliance
• People performance
• Track risks action plans and closure timelines
• Conduct regular review meetings with plant leadership teams

11. Multi-Plant Travel & Operational Presence

• Ensure regular visits and operational reviews across all plant locations
• Review team performance plant discipline operational efficiency and compliance during visits
• Maintain strong on-ground engagement with plant leadership teams

12. HR Performance Management & Leadership Development

• Support manpower planning and final-level hiring decisions
• Define KPIs and conduct performance reviews for plant leadership teams
• Develop leadership pipeline and succession plans
• Support employee engagement training and performance management initiatives

Desired Skills & Competencies

• Strong strategic and multi-plant leadership capability
• Deep knowledge of food processing operations and food safety systems
• Strong understanding of FSSAI HACCP GMP FSMS and audit management
• Experience in automation expansion projects and operational excellence
• Strong analytical problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Cost-focused and data-driven operational mindset
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional coordination skills
• Strong people management and leadership development capabilities

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Production efficiency and output achievement
• OTIF delivery performance
• Quality and food safety compliance
• Inventory optimization
• Cost reduction and productivity improvement
• Audit compliance and CAPA closure
• Downtime and wastage reduction
• Team capability development and retention