PLANT & OPERATIONS MANAGER (Tobacco)

Expensia International; Dubai; On-site; AED 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Expensia International in Dubai seeks an experienced Plant Manager to lead industrial commissioning, production, maintenance and quality across a high-speed tobacco packaging facility. You will structure floor organization, establish SOPs, drive KPI tracking (OEE) and ensure strict HSE compliance while supervising senior technicians and shift teams.

Candidates should have an Engineering degree, 7–10 years in plant/operations management in FMCG, and a proven track record with PLCs, packaging

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in Industrial Engineering, Electromechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Automation, or Production Management.
• 7–10 years of experience as Plant Manager, Operations Manager, or Senior Production Manager in high‑speed manufacturing or packaging.
• Strong command of high‑speed automated machinery environments, including packaging kinematics and PLC controllers.

Responsibilities

• Supervise reception, floor layout installation, utility hookups, and commissioning of automated lines.
• Structure the shop-floor organization and warehousing from day one.
• Establish and enforce SOPs for every workstation in making, packing, QC and warehousing.
• Plan and monitor daily/weekly production schedules to meet output targets and yields.
• Track KPIs (OEE/TRS) and drive immediate corrective actions.
• Supervise maintenance schedules to minimize downtime and ensure reliability.
• Ensure strict adherence to quality standards in coordination with QC.

Skills

Shop-floor leadership

Accountability

Operational rigor

Multicultural teamwork

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Excel

ERP

PLC controllers

Job description

A. Industrial Commissioning & Plant Organization

Supervise the reception, floor layout installation, utility hookups, and commissioning of automated cigarette making and packing lines (Molins MK8 / MAX maker, tobacco recovery unit, and SASIB / wrapper / overwrapper packing group).

Structure the shop-floor organization, internal logistics flows, and raw material/finished goods warehousing from day one.

Establish and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for every workstation across making, packing, quality control, and warehousing.

B. Production, Maintenance & Quality Management

Plan, organise, and monitor daily and weekly production schedules to achieve output targets, line speed, and material yield objectives across shift operations.

Track industrial performance indicators (KPIs, machine availability, OEE/TRS) and drive immediate corrective actions.

Supervise the Senior Making and Senior Packing Technicians in executing rigorous preventive and corrective maintenance schedules to minimize technical downtime.

Guarantee strict adherence to physical and visual quality control standards throughout the making and packing processes in direct coordination with the Quality Control (QC) department.

C. Inventory Control, Material Yield & Internal Audit

Enforce strict control over raw material consumption (Cut Rag tobacco, filter rods, cigarette and tipping papers, foils, labels, BOPP films, glues), consumables, and scrap/waste rates.

Supervise daily physical inventory counts and perform daily cross-audits reconciling warehouse material issues, finished goods produced, and end-of-shift waste weighings.

Ensure complete physical and documentary traceability across the entire facility with zero unexplained material variance.

D. Team Management, Discipline, Health & Safety (HSE)

Manage, coach, and develop all site personnel (senior technicians, machine operators, quality control inspectors, warehouse/forklift crew, and site administration).

Organize technical cross-training and operator versatility across shifts, including deputy adjuster back-up training and regular ergonomic workstation rotations.

Enforce general shop-floor discipline, attendance, factory cleanliness (5S), and strict compliance with health, safety, and site security procedures.

Education

Engineering Degree (Industrial Engineering, Electromechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Automation, or Production Management) or Master's equivalent.

Experience

Minimum 7 to 10 years of proven experience as Plant Manager, Operations Manager, or Senior Production Manager within a high-speed manufacturing or packaging facility (ideally tobacco or FMCG).

Technical Skills

Strong command of high-speed automated machinery environments (precision cam/gear mechanics, packaging kinematics, PLC controllers).

Proven track record in industrial maintenance management, continuous improvement, OEE optimization, and strict material stock control.

Proficiency in production tracking and reporting tools (Excel, ERP).

Personal Attributes

Hands‑on shop‑floor leadership, strong sense of accountability, operational rigor, unimpeachable integrity, and ability to lead multicultural shift teams.

Languages

Fluency in English and/or French (depending on operational assignment).