Head of Operations — Food Manufacturing & Export Company
Location: India, Lucknow, Amausi
Reports To: Partner
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Summary
The Head of Operations will lead all manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and export operations for our honey processing and packaging facility in India. This role owns end-to-end operations, from raw honey procurement and processing through packaging, quality assurance, warehousing, and international export compliance, ensuring products meet buyer specifications and all regulatory requirements for domestic and export markets. The ideal candidate combines strong food manufacturing leadership with hands-on knowledge of export documentation, FSSAI/international food safety standards, and cost-efficient plant operations.
Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing & Plant Operations
- Oversee daily operations of the honey processing, filtration, blending, and packaging facility to meet production targets, quality standards, and delivery timelines.
- Drive plant efficiency, capacity planning, yield optimization, and cost control across raw material usage, labor, and utilities.
- Implement and maintain preventive maintenance programs for processing and packaging equipment to minimize downtime.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives (lean manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen) to improve throughput and reduce waste.
Quality & Food Safety
- Ensure compliance with FSSAI, HACCP, ISO 22000, and relevant export-market food safety standards (FDA, etc.).
- Maintain honey purity, adulteration testing, and traceability protocols from source to shipment.
- Lead internal and third-party audits, and manage certifications required by international buyers.
- Investigate and resolve quality complaints, non-conformances, and customer claims.
Supply Chain & Procurement
- Manage raw honey sourcing from beekeepers/suppliers across regions, ensuring consistent supply, quality, and pricing.
- Oversee inventory planning for raw materials, packaging supplies, and finished goods.
- Negotiate with vendors, freight forwarders, and packaging suppliers to control costs.
Exports & Compliance
- Coordinate with freight forwarders, CHA (customs house agents), and shipping lines to ensure on-time container/pallet shipments.
- Manage retailer-specific shipping and labeling requirements for export customers.
Team & People Management
- Build, lead, and mentor a cross-functional operations team including production, quality, warehouse, and export staff.
- Set performance goals, manage staffing/shift planning, and foster a strong safety culture on the plant floor.
- Coordinate with sales, finance, and leadership on production planning, budgets, and forecasts.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Business, or related field / MBA
- Prior experience working overseas, or for a multinational company
- 8-12+ years of progressive experience in food/agri/ product manufacturing operations, with at least 3-5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Proven experience in agri-commodity processing preferred.
- Demonstrated experience managing exports to the US, EU, or other international markets, including retail/private-label accounts.
- Strong knowledge of FSSAI, HACCP, ISO 22000, APEDA, and export documentation/customs processes.
- Experience with ERP systems, production planning, and cost/inventory management.
Key Skills & Attributes
- Strong operational and financial acumen; comfortable owning P&L for the plant.
- Hands-on leadership style with the ability to work on the plant floor as well as in strategic planning.
- Excellent vendor negotiation and cross-border logistics coordination skills.
- High attention to detail on quality, compliance, and documentation.
- Strong communication skills in English and Hindi; regional language a plus.
Pay: ₹30,000.00 - ₹45,000.00 per month
Work Location: In person
