Operations Manager

Synthite; Ernakulam; On-site; INR 3,500,000 - 6,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Synthite in India, Kerala, Ernakulam seeks a strategic operational leader to define and execute the Nutraceutical Division's operational strategy, scale unit operations, and oversee multi-facility production. You will drive continuous improvement with Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, and OpEx, collaborate with R&D to translate lab formulations to high-yield manufacturing, and manage OpEx/CapEx budgets for strong ROI.

Lead global supply chain integration, ensure quality and regulatory compliance (FSSC

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 15+ years leading manufacturing/ops in nutraceuticals or related sectors.
• Proven track record of Lean and scale-up projects.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the operational strategy for the division.
• Scale unit operations for high-purity extractions and formulations.
• Oversee multi-facility production, budgeting, and ROI on investments.
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, and OpEx initiatives.
• Partner with R&D to commercialize lab formulations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Lean transformations

Multi-site operations

Regulatory compliance

Supply chain management

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s in Chemical Engineering or related

MBA in Operations Management

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

MES systems

Job description

Role & responsibilities

1. Strategic Operational Leadership

• Define and execute the operational strategy for the Nutraceutical Division in alignment with Synthites broader business goals.
• Scale unit operations for high-purity botanical extractions, standardized phytochemicals, fermentation-derived nutrients, and formulation plants.
• Oversee multi-facility plant production, driving efficiency, cost optimization, throughput, and capacity utilization.
• Manage Operational Expenditure (OpEx) and Capital Expenditure (CapEx) budgets, targeting optimal margins and high ROI on manufacturing investments.

2. Manufacturing & Technical Operations

• Drive continuous improvement across extraction processes (e.g., green extraction, supercritical Co2, solvent extraction, microencapsulation).
• Lead the implementation of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and Operational Excellence (OpEx) initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Research & Development (R&D) to seamlessly translate laboratory and pilot-scale formulations into commercialized, high-yield manufacturing.

3. Supply Chain, Procurement & Contract Farming Integration

• Oversee end-to-end supply chain logistics, inventory optimization, and distribution for functional ingredient solutions worldwide.
• Coordinate with raw material procurement teams to ensure sustainable, traceable, and ethical sourcing of botanical biomass and key active starting materials.
• Mitigate supply chain risks related to seasonal crop volatility, yield variations, and international freight disruptions.

4. Quality Assurance, Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure strict adherence to global food safety, health, and quality standards (e.g., FSSC 22000, US FDA cGMP, ISO 17025, Kosher, Halal, Organic, Fairtrade).
• Maintain a culture of quality, safety, and operational safety (EHS) across all facilities.
• Drive audit-readiness for major global B2B clients, regulatory bodies, and third-party auditors.

5. People Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and build high-performing operations, production, engineering, EHS, and supply chain management teams.
• Foster cross-functional integration with global sales, product management, R&D, and regulatory affairs teams to deliver custom formulation orders on time and to specification.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Technology, Biochemical Engineering, Pharmacy, Phytochemistry, or related discipline. An MBA/Master’s in Operations Management is preferred.
• Experience: 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing/operations within the Nutraceutical, Botanical Extracts, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), or Specialized Food Ingredients sectors.
• Track Record: Proven success managing multi-site plant operations, driving Lean transformations, and scaling greenfield or brownfield operational facilities.

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of industrial plant extraction technologies (liquid-solid extraction, spray drying, fermentation, distillation, and standardized bioactive active isolation).
• Expertise in global regulatory frameworks (e.g., US FDA 21 CFR Part 111/117, EFSA guidelines, FSSAI).
• Proficiency in ERP platforms (e.g., SAP S/4HANA), supply chain modeling tools, and manufacturing execution systems (MES).

Soft Skills & Leadership Traits

• Strong strategic thinking combined with a hands-on shopfloor mentality.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• High adaptability to changing global supply constraints and market trends in clean-label wellness.