WE ARE HIRING: Factory Manager

Location: Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India
Employment Type: Full time
Work Mode: On-site
Industry: Consultancy

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Factory Manager to lead end-to-end plant operations, production management, quality compliance, cost control, maintenance coordination, and workforce leadership within a dairy, UHT, or aseptic manufacturing environment.

The selected candidate will be responsible for ensuring efficient production, smooth factory operations, food safety compliance, cost optimization, equipment reliability, team performance, and successful ramp-up of a new bulk aseptic processing line.

Key Responsibilities

Production and Operations Management

• Plan, schedule, and oversee daily production activities to meet output targets and delivery timelines.
• Manage end-to-end factory operations, including raw material intake, processing, packaging, and dispatch.
• Ensure smooth coordination between production, quality, maintenance, supply chain, procurement, and warehouse teams.
• Drive continuous improvement in overall equipment effectiveness, production yield, throughput, and operational efficiency.
• Lead the implementation, commissioning, and ramp-up of the bulk aseptic processing line.
• Monitor production performance and take corrective action to address delays, downtime, quality issues, or efficiency gaps.
• Ensure production activities are carried out safely, efficiently, and in line with approved operating procedures.
• Support capacity planning, production scheduling, and resource allocation to meet business requirements.

Cost and Budget Management

• Develop and manage the factory's annual operating budget, including CAPEX and OPEX.
• Monitor and control production costs, including raw materials, utilities, labour, wastage, and maintenance-related expenses.
• Identify and implement cost-reduction initiatives without compromising quality, safety, or compliance.
• Prepare MIS reports covering key financial, production, and operational metrics for senior management review.
• Work with procurement teams to optimize sourcing, inventory levels, and material costs.
• Support productivity improvement initiatives through effective cost analysis and performance monitoring.
• Ensure factory resources are used efficiently to support profitability and operational sustainability.

Quality, Compliance and Food Safety

• Ensure compliance with FSSAI, HACCP, GMP, GHP, ISO 22000, and FSSC 22000 standards.
• Drive a zero-defect manufacturing and food-safety culture across all plant functions.
• Ensure product quality standards are maintained across raw material intake, processing, packaging, storage, and dispatch.
• Oversee internal audits, customer audits, regulatory audits, and third-party audits.
• Ensure timely closure of audit non-conformances and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintain proper documentation for regulatory, customer, quality, and food safety requirements.
• Coordinate with quality assurance teams to resolve quality issues and strengthen compliance processes.
• Ensure all factory operations are carried out in line with approved food safety and hygiene practices.

Team and Workforce Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-functional plant team, including department heads and shop-floor employees.
• Set KRAs and KPIs for direct reports and conduct periodic performance reviews.
• Build a high-performance plant culture focused on accountability, discipline, productivity, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Manage contract labour and third-party service providers effectively.
• Ensure workforce planning, shift allocation, attendance, discipline, and productivity are managed properly.
• Promote teamwork and coordination across production, quality, engineering, maintenance, supply chain, and support teams.
• Support training, capability development, and safety awareness across the factory workforce.

Maintenance and Engineering Oversight

• Ensure planned preventive maintenance is completed on schedule for all plant machinery and utilities.
• Minimize unplanned downtime through effective maintenance planning and predictive maintenance practices.
• Oversee UHT processing systems, aseptic filling lines, utility infrastructure, and related production equipment.
• Coordinate with maintenance and engineering teams to ensure plant reliability and equipment availability.
• Monitor breakdowns, recurring issues, spare-parts requirements, and maintenance performance.
• Support engineering improvements, equipment upgrades, and process optimization initiatives.
• Ensure all machinery and infrastructure are operated safely and maintained to required standards.

Candidate Profile

• B.Tech / B.E. in Food Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Dairy Technology.
• M.Tech / M.Sc in Food Science or Dairy Technology will be preferred but is not mandatory.
• Diploma holders with 12+ years of strong relevant operational experience may also be considered.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in plant operations, factory management, or manufacturing leadership.
• Hands-on experience in Dairy Plant Operations and UHT Processing is mandatory.
• Experience in Aseptic Manufacturing or Aseptic Filling Lines will be highly desirable.
• Prior exposure to coconut processing, coconut milk, or agro-based manufacturing will be a strong advantage.
• Experience managing a greenfield project, expansion project, new production line, or commissioning activity will be an advantage.
• Strong technical knowledge of UHT processing, pasteurisation, and aseptic systems.
• Good understanding of production planning, factory scheduling, capacity utilization, and operational efficiency.
• Sound knowledge of food safety standards, including FSSAI, HACCP, ISO 22000, and FSSC 22000.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, cost control, MIS reporting, CAPEX, and OPEX management.
• Strong leadership, team-building, and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and crisis-management abilities.
• Familiarity with ERP systems for production and inventory management.
• Good communication skills in English.
• Knowledge of Tamil or Hindi will be an advantage.
• Hands-on, accountable, detail-oriented, and capable of leading operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

What the Role Offers

• Strategic leadership role with direct access to senior management.
• Opportunity to lead a new bulk aseptic processing line from commissioning to full-scale production.
• Competitive compensation based on experience and capability.
• Long-term career growth within a rapidly expanding food manufacturing environment.

Ready to take your career to new heights?

We're InTalent Asia, your go-to recruitment partner, and we've got an exciting opportunity for you! Our client is looking for a dynamic individual to fill the role of Factory Manager.

At InTalent Asia, we're not just recruiters; we're here to architect your career success. Join us in the journey of matching your skills with unparalleled opportunities.

Apply now and see how you can be the perfect fit for this exclusive leadership position!

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