Our client is a growing premium food manufacturer in Thailand seeking an experienced and proactive Production Manager to lead factory operations. This role will oversee production performance, process optimization, food safety compliance, and team management while driving operational efficiency and continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities: Production Operations Management
- Lead and manage daily manufacturing operations to achieve production targets, quality standards, and delivery timelines.
- Oversee production planning and execution across processing, forming, cooling, packaging, and related production activities.
- Ensure optimal machine utilization, labor efficiency, and production line performance.
- Monitor and improve OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), yield, downtime, waste reduction, and labor productivity.
- Coordinate closely with Planning, Warehouse, QA, R&D, Purchasing, HR, and Maintenance teams to ensure smooth operations.
- Support scale-up activities for new product launches from pilot phase to mass production.
- Ensure full compliance with GMP, HACCP, FSSC 22000, Halal, FDA, internal food safety standards, and SMETA ethical standards.
- Maintain strict process control to ensure product consistency, quality, and process stability.
- Ensure proper traceability and production documentation throughout manufacturing operations.
- Work closely with Quality Assurance teams to investigate and resolve deviations, complaints, and non-conformities.
- Lead, train, and develop production supervisors, operators, and support staff.
- Build a disciplined, accountable, and performance-driven production culture.
- Establish clear KPIs and performance expectations for the production team.
- Support workforce planning, shift scheduling, and manpower optimization.
- Drive operational engagement, problem-solving, and continuous learning within the team.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, quality, safety, and operational reliability.
- Reduce production waste, material loss, rework, and downtime.
- Support cost optimization initiatives related to raw materials, packaging utilization, labor productivity, energy consumption, and process improvement.
- Participate in CAPEX planning, commissioning, and process improvement projects.
- Ensure proper operation and process understanding of manufacturing and packaging equipment.
- Troubleshoot production and process issues to maintain product consistency and line stability.
- Support implementation of new technologies and automation initiatives where appropriate.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Science, Food Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related fields.
- Minimum 5 years of management experience within the food manufacturing industry.
- Experience in food manufacturing, confectionery, bakery, or related FMCG production would be a strong advantage.
- Strong understanding of food safety systems including GMP, HACCP, FSSC 22000, Halal, and FDA requirements.
- Hands-on experience in production management, process optimization, manpower management, and operational improvement.
- Strong knowledge of chocolate processing operations including tempering, cooling, moulding, enrobing, and packaging systems.
- Experience in OEE monitoring, productivity improvement, waste reduction, and downtime management.
- Proven ability to lead teams, manage cross-functional coordination, and drive operational discipline.
- Good problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Strong communication, leadership, and presentation skills.
- Good command of both Thai and English.
- Able to work under pressure, manage tight deadlines, and support night shift or standby operations when required.
- Positive attitude, well-organized, transparent, collaborative, and proactive personality.
