Plant Manager (f & b manufacturing)

Overview
Our client is a leading multinational food manufacturing group with a strong presence across Asia. The organization manages a diverse portfolio of well-loved consumer brands. They are seeking a Plant Manager to oversee end‑to‑end production and engineering operations, driving performance, reliability, and long‑term capability building within a dynamic, fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead plant operations and cross-functional teams
  Oversee Production and Engineering teams to deliver consistent plan attainment, strong supply reliability, and disciplined cost management across plant overheads and workforce deployment.

• Strengthen performance, reliability, and compliance
  Improve OEE, reduce equipment downtime, and uphold stringent food safety, quality, and environmental standards, including compliance with HACCP, GMP, FSSC, and safety regulations.

• Drive continuous improvement and digital transformation
  Build a culture of structured problem‑solving, implement best‑practice CI methodologies, and embed digital tools to enhance operational visibility, execution discipline, and decision‑making.

• Lead capital projects and engineering governance
  Manage end‑to‑end project delivery—from scoping to commissioning—covering new technologies, process upgrades, and automation initiatives to support long‑term growth.

• Enhance technical and leadership capability
  Coach and mentor leaders across production and engineering, strengthening technical know‑how and fostering a high‑performance culture on the shopfloor.

• Champion safety and environmental stewardship
  Ensure all operations adhere to robust SHE standards, fostering a safe working environment and supporting sustainability goals.

• Optimize cost and operational efficiency
  Identify opportunities to reduce production cost, improve yield, and enhance equipment utilization through data‑driven performance management.

Key Qualifications & Requirements

• Degree in Engineering or Food Science
  Preferably in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or Mechatronics Engineering, with strong technical grounding for plant operations.

• 12+ years manufacturing leadership experience
  Proven background leading both production and engineering/reliability functions, ideally within Food or FMCG environments.

• Strong understanding of food processing technologies
  Knowledge of plant operations, hygienic engineering, and exposure to thermal or canning processes is an added advantage.

• Demonstrated success in performance and reliability improvement
  Track record of delivering OEE uplift, cost optimization, and operational excellence through structured CI systems.

• Solid project and capex management capability
  Experience driving automation, digitalisation, and major engineering projects, with strong change leadership and stakeholder influence.

Why Join This Organization
You will lead the full plant agenda for a major regional hub, driving performance, modernization, and operational excellence. This is a high‑impact leadership role with full visibility and the opportunity to shape long‑term transformation, supply resilience, and business growth.