Operations Manager

SUMMARY:
Company Overview
Our client is a specialised manufacturer of liquid sugar solutions, invert syrups, sweetener blends, and related food-grade products supplying various sectors within the food and beverage manufacturing industry.
 
Role Overview
Our client is seeking a highly experienced and technically strong Operations Manager with deep exposure to end-to-end manufacturing processes within liquid food, sugar, syrup, beverage, or related FMCG production environments.
 
This is not a packaging or canning-focused role. The client specifically requires a candidate with strong upstream manufacturing and process production experience.
The successful candidate will take full responsibility for the operational performance of the manufacturing facility, ensuring efficient production, strict food safety compliance, plant optimisation, quality control, maintenance coordination, and strong team leadership.
 
Candidates from beverage ingredients, liquid food processing, syrup manufacturing, sugar refining, concentrates, dairy liquids, brewing, or similar process-driven manufacturing environments will be highly advantageous.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities
Full Manufacturing & Production Management

• Manage the full end-to-end manufacturing operation within a liquid sugar and syrup production facility
• Oversee raw material intake, blending, heating, dissolving, mixing, batching, processing, storage, and dispatch operations
• Drive production efficiency, throughput, waste reduction, and process optimisation
• Ensure production targets, batch accuracy, and operational KPIs are consistently achieved
• Monitor and improve production flow, plant utilisation, and process stability
• Ensure consistency of product quality, viscosity, Brix levels, and formulation standards
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement corrective improvements

• Ensure full compliance with FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP, and food manufacturing standards
• Lead food safety initiatives, audits, corrective actions, and compliance processes
• Maintain traceability systems, SOPs, quality documentation, and hygiene standards
• Drive a strong food safety and quality culture throughout the plant

• Coordinate preventative and reactive maintenance activities
• Ensure maximum plant uptime and equipment reliability
• Oversee maintenance planning for pumps, tanks, mixers, piping systems, heating systems, and related processing equipment
• Support plant upgrades, process improvements, and capital projects

• Lead and manage production, operations, and plant personnel
• Drive accountability, productivity, and operational discipline
• Conduct staff training, performance management, and team development
• Promote a high-performance operational culture

• Oversee raw material control, stock accuracy, and production planning
• Coordinate closely with procurement, quality, maintenance, and logistics departments
• Ensure efficient scheduling and uninterrupted production flow

• Diploma or Degree in Production Management, Operations Management, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field
• Minimum 5–10 years’ operational management experience within:
• Liquid sugar manufacturing
• Syrup production
• Beverage production
• Food processing
• Liquid blending or ingredient manufacturing
• Related FMCG process manufacturing environments
• Strong technical understanding of end-to-end manufacturing processes
• Proven experience managing process-driven production rather than primarily packaging or canning operations
• Strong working knowledge of FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP, and food safety systems
• Experience with bulk liquid handling, batching systems, and process control environments
• Strong leadership, operational, and problem-solving ability
• Experience managing production KPIs, efficiencies, and continuous improvement initiatives

• Experience within beverage ingredients, concentrates, brewing, dairy liquids, or sugar refining environments
• Exposure to automated batching and processing systems
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement exposure
• Knowledge of viscosity control, Brix management, and formulation consistency
• Experience with food-grade tank farms and liquid transfer systems

• Technically strong and operationally hands-on
• Process-driven with excellent attention to detail
• Strong leadership presence
• Analytical and solutions-oriented
• Able to perform effectively in a high-pressure production environment
• Strong planning and organisational ability

• Market-related salary based on experience
• Long-term opportunity within a specialised and growing manufacturing environment
• Immediate availability preferred