Factory Manager

Seara International; Ras Al Khaimah; On-site; AED 450,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Seara International in Ras Al Khaimah seeks a seasoned Plant Operations Leader to drive end-to-end manufacturing, ensuring on-time delivery, quality, and cost targets while maximizing asset utilization.

You will lead Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives, develop annual plans, and mentor teams to achieve continuous improvement and strong operational results across the site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, or Manufacturing
• 15+ years manufacturing experience, including 10+ years in plant or senior operations management
• Experience in food manufacturing, poultry, meat processing, frozen foods, or FMCG is preferred
• Proven track record in operational excellence, cost optimization, productivity, and people leadership
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, food safety, quality, and EHS standards
• Strong analytical, financial, problem-solving, communication, and change-management skills
• Experience with ERP systems, manufacturing KPIs, and data analytics tools is an advantage

Responsibilities

• Lead plant operations to achieve production, quality, service, productivity, and cost targets.
• Develop and execute the annual Business Plan aligned with company objectives and priorities.
• Maximize asset utilization, labor productivity, capacity, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with safety, food safety, quality, environmental, and statutory requirements.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce losses and waste.
• Lead the implementation of new equipment, products, processes, projects, and capacity expansions.
• Provide input for infrastructure development, plant layout, and capital investment requirements.
• Ensure finished goods availability in plant warehouses according to production plans and market requirements.
• Assess organizational structure, staffing, and competency needs; develop and coach teams and future leaders.
• Establish accountability through clear objectives, performance appraisals, and effective performance management.
• Review plant performance daily, weekly, and monthly, ensuring timely corrective actions and sustainable results.
• Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration and adherence to company operating guidelines.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Problem-solving

People leadership

Change management

Data analytics

Financial acumen

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, or Manufacturing

MBA (advantage)

Tools

ERP systems

Data analytics tools

KPIs

Job description

1. Job Purpose

Lead end-to-end plant operations to ensure products are manufactured to specification, delivered on time, and produced within approved cost targets, while maximizing asset utilization, ensuring compliance, and driving continuous improvement.

2. Key Responsibilities

• Lead plant operations to achieve production, quality, service, productivity, and cost targets.
• Develop and execute the annual Business Plan (BP) aligned with company objectives and priorities.
• Maximize asset utilization, labor productivity, capacity, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with safety, food safety, quality, environmental, and statutory requirements.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce losses and waste.
• Lead the implementation of new equipment, products, processes, projects, and capacity expansions.
• Provide input for infrastructure development, plant layout, and capital investment requirements.
• Ensure finished goods availability in plant warehouses according to production plans and market requirements.
• Assess organizational structure, staffing, and competency needs; develop and coach teams and future leaders.
• Establish accountability through clear objectives, performance appraisals, and effective performance management.
• Review plant performance daily, weekly, and monthly, ensuring timely corrective actions and sustainable results.
• Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration and adherence to company operating guidelines.

3. Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Manufacturing, or a related field; MBA is an advantage.
• Typically 15+ years of manufacturing experience, including 10+ years in plant or senior operations management.
• Experience in food manufacturing, poultry, meat processing, frozen foods, or FMCG is preferred.
• Proven track record in operational excellence, cost optimization, productivity, and people leadership.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, food safety, quality, and EHS standards.
• Strong analytical, financial, problem-solving, communication, and change-management skills.
• Experience with ERP systems, manufacturing KPIs, and data analytics tools is an advantage.

4. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Safety and regulatory compliance
• Quality and food safety
• Production plan attainment and OTIF
• Manufacturing cost and savings versus budget
• Yield, waste, productivity, and OEE
• Asset utilization and equipment reliability
• Finished goods availability
• People development and continuous improvement results