Job Description
Our Client: A well-established organization in the food sector, specializing in dairy products, is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide strategic leadership and operational excellence.
Your Role:
As the Chief Operating Officer, you will play a pivotal role in driving the company’s mission to deliver high-quality dairy products. This role is responsible for providing overall strategic leadership to the Operations departments, overseeing both greenfield and brownfield project management, and ensuring day-to-day manufacturing excellence. Your focus will be on production optimization, resource management, and the adoption of digitization and automation initiatives. Additionally, you will lead innovation projects and develop annual business plans to support growth and efficiency.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership & Business Planning:
- Provide overall strategic direction to the Operations departments, aligning operational strategies with long-term company goals.
- Develop and execute annual business plans that drive growth, efficiency, and innovation.
- Production Planning & Optimization:
- Oversee the effective utilization of resources (equipment, materials, and labor) to maximize production output.
- Create production schedules that align with business objectives and customer demand.
- Innovation & Process Improvement:
- Lead innovation initiatives to explore new technologies, improve processes, and enhance product quality.
- Identify and implement automation and process improvements to drive operational excellence.
- Quality Assurance & Compliance:
- Ensure adherence to industry regulations, quality standards, and food safety guidelines.
- Oversee quality control processes to maintain consistent product quality.
- Team Management & Development:
- Lead and develop a team of manufacturing professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
- Set performance objectives, conduct evaluations, and implement training programs to enhance team capabilities.
- Supply Chain & Inventory Management:
- Collaborate with the supply chain team to ensure timely availability of raw materials and packaging.
- Monitor and manage inventory levels, optimizing supply chain processes to reduce costs and avoid shortages.
- Cost Management:
- Monitor and manage manufacturing costs, identifying opportunities for cost reduction without compromising quality.
- Implement cost-saving initiatives and collaborate with other departments to streamline operations.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Participate in cross-functional meetings, providing strategic insights and contributing to high-level decision-making.
- Align operational strategies with overall business goals in collaboration with senior leadership.
Must-Have Skills and Experience:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
- Experience: Minimum 15+ years of experience in manufacturing management, ideally within the dairy or food industry.
- Expertise: In-depth knowledge of dairy production processes, equipment, and quality standards.
- Skills:
- Expertise in process improvement methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma.
- Strong leadership and team management abilities.
- Proficient in data analysis, performance metrics, and production planning tools.
- Comprehensive understanding of health and safety regulations in manufacturing.
- Excellent problem-solving and data-driven decision-making skills.
- Superior communication and interpersonal skills.
- Results-oriented with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
Managing Expectations:
“At Mindfield, we strive for exceptional results by understanding the unique needs of both our clients and candidates. Please review the ‘must-haves’ carefully to ensure a successful application process. We look forward to building a long-term relationship with you. Mindfield – making a difference.”