OPERATIONS MANAGER: FMCG

Antal International; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG manufacturer in Dubai is seeking an experienced Operations Manager. The ideal candidate will oversee factory operations, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and continuous improvement, with at least 8 years of operations experience in FMCG and 4 years in snack foods. This role demands strong leadership and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in FMCG operations.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in snack food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of snack food production processes.
• Experience in high-volume manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily factory operations across various functions.
• Develop strategies to improve productivity and reduce costs.
• Monitor production KPIs and take corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Operations Management

Food Technology

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager for a leading FMCG snack food manufacturer in Dubai. The ideal candidate will have 8 years of operations experience in FMCG, with at least 4 years specifically in snack foods such as chips, nuts, baked snacks, extruded products, or confectionery. This role oversees end-to-end factory operations, ensuring efficiency, quality compliance, cost control, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily factory operations, including production, maintenance, quality, warehousing, and logistics.
• Develop and execute operational strategies to improve productivity and reduce manufacturing costs.
• Monitor production KPIs (OEE, yield, downtime, waste, efficiency) and take corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP, ISO, and UAE food safety regulations.
• Collaborate with QA to maintain product consistency and minimise quality issues.
• Promote a strong HSE culture throughout the facility.
• Lead, train, and mentor cross-functional teams.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean, Kaizen, and 5S.
• Optimise operational costs, reduce waste, and improve energy efficiency.
• Coordinate with procurement and supply chain teams to ensure RM/PM availability.
• Prepare accurate operational performance reports for senior management.
• Ensure compliance with SOPs and readiness for audits.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Food Technology, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in FMCG operations.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in snack food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of snack food production processes, machinery, and quality systems.
• Skilled in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement tools.
• Proven leadership experience in high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Strong communication, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• UAE/GCC experience preferred.

Key Competencies

• Leadership & team management
• Operational and commercial acumen
• Quality and safety focus
• Process improvement mindset
• Strong troubleshooting and decision‑making ability
• Adaptability in fast‑paced FMCG environments