We invite applications for a Plant Director in the GCC region. Our client is a Leading Global “Blue Chip” Dairy Manufacturer and offers a generous remuneration package.
Main purpose of the position:
As the Plant Director, you will be responsible for leading the operations of the manufacturing facility, directly managing a group of 5+ function heads and indirectly overseeing up to 200 employees. Your key focus will be to embed a culture of safety, quality, efficiency, and ambition. This role provides high visibility and an opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities in operational excellence.
Main tasks of the position (In terms of process & People):
- End to End Leadership: Participate as a part of the plant leadership team, playing a strategic and tactical role in the development and implementation of the overall supply chain pipeline while maintaining high-quality end-to-end collaboration cross-functionally within MENA.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with other cross-functional areas and leaders, including commercial, planning, sourcing, production, supply & delivery, and engineering, to ensure business goals are achieved.
- Goal Setting and Measurement: Utilize functional teams to establish area performance standards and overall supply chain goals based on MENA goals and strategies; measure, control, take corrective action, and report results. Annually lead the business planning for the plant in the development of area forecasts and KPI targets.
- Alignment with Vision: Lead the direction for the departments and connect the overall business group’s vision, mission, and strategy with local business plans in line with MENA supply chain goals.
- Performance Tracking: Establish, measure, and track supply chain E2E performance goals and use this information to drive a strong efficiency and performance culture in the entire supply chain value chain.
- Performance Monitoring: Systematically monitor and control supply chain and production performance by analyzing the SQCDMP indicators (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Motivation, and Planet), proposing necessary action plans to ensure compliance with established goals and objectives.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Work with data-driven decision-making and understand the analysis of digitalization data using Performance Systems such as LCO, OEE, CI, 5S, PowerBi, etc.
- Compliance: Ensure that all departments comply with the company’s standards, health & safety procedures, quality standards, and first-time-right performance.
- Continuous Improvement: Challenge the status quo to improve overall performance through continuous improvement using tools.
- Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop the team and organization based on Our Leadership, Our Values, and Our Responsibility according to annual people processes.
- Employee Engagement: Drive a culture and integrate its values with high employee engagement towards building a healthy barometer score.
- Lean Culture: Take leadership in developing, anchoring, and role modeling a lean culture.
- Financial Insight: Work within the financial framework set by corporate finance.
- CAPEX Management: Secure a strong and safe operational platform through ongoing evaluation and execution of needed CAPEX investments and ensure CAPEX plans are planned with foresight and aligned with stakeholders.
- Business Planning: Coordinate and create annual business plans to set and communicate clear objectives and goals, and to identify personal strengths and development goals.
Who are the key stakeholders?
The Plant Director will report to the Head of MENA Supply Chain and work closely with the site leadership team, End to End Planning & Customer Logistics team, QEHS, and other key stakeholders within the MENA excellence team, as well as local stakeholders.
Focus areas:
Specific focus areas:
- QEHS
- Service levels
- Product quality
- Operational efficiency
- Financial performance
- Continuous improvement
- Sustainability road map
Key success/performance measures indicating results, outcomes, or functions of this Position:
Act in accordance with the business plan in line with Performance System (APS)
Decision authority:
Departmental Structure:
The Plant Director will be part of the management team and will have decision-making authority within the plant’s operational departments.
Financial/Non-financial:
The Plant Director will work within the financial framework set by corporate finance and will be responsible for managing the plant’s operational budget. They will also drive non- financial aspects such as lean practices, continuous improvement, and quality goals.
Leadership:
The Plant Director will provide leadership to line leaders and operational specialists within the department, coaching and developing the team based on the principles of Good Growth DNA, Good Values, and Good Leadership.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Production Engineering, Dairy Technology, Operations Management, Engineering, or Food Science preferred.
- 15-20 years of managerial experience within FMCG or food production, with dairy experience being highly valued.
- Strong optimization skills for systems and processes.
- Previous experience in TPM, Lean Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies preferred.
- Ability to build and lead teams, with a focus on talent development.
- Strong interpersonal skills, team orientation, and problem-solving abilities.
- Having a global mindset that enables dealing with change and leading change initiatives.
- Desire and capability to oversee a 24/7-hour organization.