Technical Operations Manager (Engineering, Manufacturing & Projects)

SUMMARY:
A well-established manufacturing company within the packaging sector is seeking a highly experienced Technical Operations Manager (Engineering, Manufacturing & Projects).

The Technical Operations Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership across Engineering, Manufacturing, and Projects within a fast-paced FMCG group of companies.

This role is responsible for driving operational excellence, technical performance, people engagement, and commercial outcomes. The successful candidate will balance strong engineering capability with exceptional people leadership to deliver sustainable growth, productivity, quality, and profitability.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role suited to a technically astute professional who can align teams at all levels while implementing systems and solutions that support business expansion.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities
Operational & Technical Leadership

• Lead Engineering, Manufacturing, and Project functions across multiple sites or business units.
• Ensure optimal plant performance, equipment reliability, and production efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, quality, safety, and cost reduction.
• Oversee capital projects, technical upgrades, and process optimization initiatives.
• Implement best-practice operational systems, KPIs, and governance structures.

• Translate business strategy into executable operational plans.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvement, automation, and cost optimisation.
• Support commercial growth through improved capacity, quality, and technical capability.
• Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and margin improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain to support profitable growth.

• Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams across engineering, manufacturing, and project environments.
• Manage staff at all organisational levels, fostering inclusivity, accountability, and high performance.
• Build a culture of engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Develop talent through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Drive compliance with health, safety, quality, and labour standards.

• Oversee end-to-end project delivery, including planning, execution, commissioning, and handover.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to specification.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation.

• BEng/BSc Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• GCC Factories – essential

• Minimum 8–12 years’ experience within FMCG, manufacturing, or industrial environments.
• At least 3–5 years in a senior technical or operations leadership role.
• Proven experience managing Engineering, Manufacturing, and Projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated success in driving operational improvements and commercial outcomes.
• Strong exposure to people management across shop-floor to senior management levels.

• Strong technical and operational leadership
• Commercially aware with a profitability mindset
• Strategic thinker with strong execution capability
• Excellent people leadership and communication skills
• Ability to influence across all organisational levels
• Results-driven, structured, and process-oriented
• High emotional intelligence with a collaborative leadership style