Factory Head / Plant Operations Manager – Dairy

About the role

The Factory Head for Dairy Operations leads end‑to‑end management of a dairy processing plant, overseeing milk reception, processing, packaging and distribution. The role ensures high production efficiency, strict food‑safety compliance and cost‑effective operations.

Key responsibilities

• Direct daily plant activities from raw milk collection through pasteurisation, homogenisation and final product packaging.
• Develop and execute production schedules that meet sales demand while minimising waste and downtime.
• Monitor KPIs such as milk yield, utility consumption and product loss ratios.
• Implement continuous‑improvement programmes using Lean Manufacturing and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM).
• Enforce HACCP, ISO, GMP and local regulatory standards; manage sanitation programmes including CIP and COP validation.
• Coordinate preventive and breakdown maintenance for critical equipment (homogenisers, pasteurisers, chillers, packaging machines).
• Control raw material and finished‑goods inventories, manage operational budgets and identify cost‑saving opportunities.
• Lead, mentor and evaluate shift supervisors and production staff while ensuring OHS compliance and PPE use.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree in Dairy Technology, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering or Dairy Science.
• 8‑12 years of progressive experience in dairy plant operations or similar industrial production environment.
• Proven track record in managing large‑scale production, quality assurance and plant maintenance.

Required skills

• Lean Manufacturing
• Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
• HACCP
• ISO standards
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Cleaning‑in‑Place (CIP)
• Cleaning‑out‑of‑Place (COP)