About the Role
The Operations Manager will lead and oversee end-to-end manufacturing and operational activities within the Food & Packaging FMCG business. The role is responsible for ensuring efficient production planning, packaging operations, quality assurance, supply chain coordination, inventory optimization, regulatory compliance, cost management, and continuous process improvement.
The ideal candidate should possess strong experience in food manufacturing and packaging operations, with a deep understanding of FMCG production environments, food safety systems, packaging technologies, and lean operational practices.
Key Responsibilities
1. Production & Manufacturing Operations
- Manage daily production operations across food processing, filling, packaging, labelling, and dispatch functions.
- Ensure production targets are achieved in terms of volume, quality, efficiency, and timelines.
- Develop and implement production schedules aligned with demand forecasts and sales plans.
- Monitor Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and optimize machine utilization.
- Ensure minimal downtime through preventive and predictive maintenance coordination.
- Supervise manufacturing processes to ensure adherence to SOPs and operational standards.
- Coordinate with maintenance teams to ensure smooth functioning of production and packaging equipment.
- Drive operational excellence initiatives to improve productivity and throughput.
2. Packaging Operations Management
- Oversee primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging operations.
- Ensure packaging materials comply with food safety and regulatory standards.
- Optimize packaging line efficiency, speed, and output quality.
- Coordinate packaging development activities with R&D and procurement teams.
- Monitor packaging wastage, leakage, labeling accuracy, and material consumption.
- Ensure proper handling and storage of packaging materials.
- Implement cost-effective and sustainable packaging solutions where applicable.
3. Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure compliance with food safety standards such as HACCP, GMP, FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, BRC, and local regulatory requirements.
- Maintain strict hygiene and sanitation standards within production and packaging areas.
- Work closely with QA/QC teams to ensure product consistency and quality assurance.
- Lead internal and external audits related to food safety, quality, and compliance.
- Investigate quality deviations, customer complaints, and non-conformance issues.
- Implement CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Actions) for operational and quality issues.
- Ensure traceability and batch control systems are maintained accurately.
4. Supply Chain & Inventory Management
- Coordinate with procurement and supply chain teams to ensure uninterrupted availability of raw materials and packaging supplies.
- Monitor inventory levels for raw materials, WIP, packaging materials, and finished goods.
- Optimize warehouse operations, storage utilization, and stock rotation (FIFO/FEFO).
- Ensure accurate inventory reconciliation and ERP transactions.
- Coordinate dispatch planning and logistics to ensure timely delivery to distributors/customers.
- Minimize inventory holding costs and operational losses.
5. Cost Management & Operational Efficiency
- Develop and manage operational budgets and departmental expenditures.
- Monitor manufacturing costs, packaging costs, labor costs, and utilities consumption.
- Identify opportunities for cost optimization and waste reduction.
- Implement Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, TPM, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Analyze production variances and operational KPIs to improve profitability.
- Reduce product loss, material wastage, and rework percentages.
6. Team Leadership & Workforce Management
- Lead and manage production supervisors, line leaders, warehouse personnel, and operational staff.
- Conduct manpower planning and workforce allocation across shifts.
- Drive employee engagement, training, and performance management initiatives.
- Ensure adherence to workplace safety and discipline policies.
- Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Conduct regular operational review meetings and performance evaluations.
7. Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)
- Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.
- Promote a zero-accident safety culture across operations.
- Conduct risk assessments and safety audits regularly.
- Ensure proper usage of PPE and adherence to safety procedures.
- Coordinate emergency response and incident investigation activities.
- Support environmental sustainability initiatives and waste management programs.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Production attainment vs. plan
- Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
- Line efficiency and throughput
- Packaging efficiency and wastage %
- Product rejection and rework rates
- Inventory accuracy and stock turnover
- OTIF (On-Time In-Full Delivery)
- Downtime reduction
- Food safety audit scores
- Cost per unit produced
- Labor productivity
- Customer complaint reduction
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Food Technology, Industrial Engineering, , Operations Management, Supply Chain, or related field.
Experience
- 5–10 years of experience in FMCG manufacturing operations, preferably in food processing and packaging industries.
- Strong exposure to automated production and packaging lines.
- Experience handling high-volume manufacturing environments.
- Prior experience managing cross-functional operational teams.
Technical Competencies
- Knowledge of food manufacturing processes and packaging technologies.
- Expertise in HACCP, GMP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, BRC standards.
- Understanding of Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Kaizen, Six Sigma methodologies.
- Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, etc.
- Strong data analysis and reporting capabilities.
- Familiarity with production planning and inventory control systems.
Behavioural Competencies
- Strong leadership and people management skills
- Strategic and analytical thinking
- Decision-making and problem-solving abilities
- Effective communication and stakeholder management
- High attention to detail and process orientation
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced FMCG environment
Working Conditions
- Factory and warehouse-based role
- May require rotational shifts and weekend support during peak production periods
- Frequent coordination with suppliers, distributors, auditors, and internal stakeholders
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary package
- Performance-based incentives
- Medical and insurance coverage
- Provident Fund / Retirement benefits
- Annual bonus
- Training and career development opportunities
Preferred Industry Background
Candidates with experience in:
- Food Processing
- Beverage Manufacturing
- Dairy Products
- Frozen Foods
- Ready-to-Eat Products
- Consumer Goods Manufacturing.
Pay: ₹28,000.00 - ₹60,000.00 per month
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Mandya, Karnataka (Mandya): Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Experience:
Language:
- Kannada (Required)
- Hindi (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
