Plant Operations Manager - Corrugated Box Manufacturing Confidential

About the company

With over 45 years of experience, the company is a well-established (over 45 years) family-run corrugator and paper packaging manufacturer based in Kenya. Serving a diverse client base primarily in the FMCG and horticulture sectors, we combine advanced German and Chinese technology, including state-of-the-art BHS machinery, to deliver high-quality packaging solutions. Employing over 300 skilled professionals, we process nearly 5,000 tonnes of material each month and achieve an annual turnover of US$25 million. Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and operational excellence is reflected in our ISO and FSC certifications, reinforcing our position as a trusted partner in the packaging industry.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

PLANT / OPERATIONS MANAGER

Department: Operations

Reports To: COO

Direct Reports: Production & Planning Manager (and relevant plant teams)

ROLE PURPOSE

The Plant / Operations Manager is accountable for the overall performance, leadership, and strategic direction of manufacturing operations at the site. This role ensures safe, efficient, and cost-effective production while maintaining the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction.

The incumbent will drive operational excellence, optimize resource utilization, and build a high-performing workforce, ensuring the business achieves sustainable profitability without exposing the organization to operational, financial, or compliance risks.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Leadership

• Lead and manage day-to-day plant operations to consistently meet production targets and customer expectations.

• Ensure optimal utilization of machinery, labour, and materials to maximize efficiency and throughput.

• Take full ownership of production output, product quality, and on-time delivery.

Continuous Improvement & Cost Management

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to increase productivity, reduce waste, and lower operating costs.

• Analyze operational data and performance metrics to identify inefficiencies and implement corrective actions.

• Optimize asset capacity, flexibility, and overall plant performance.

Strategy Execution

• Translate business strategy into actionable operational plans with clear direction and measurable outcomes.

• Monitor execution and ensure alignment with company goals and performance standards.

Maintenance & Asset Management

• Oversee and enforce preventive and predictive maintenance programs.

• Ensure all equipment is maintained in optimal working condition to minimize downtime and disruptions.

People Management & Culture

• Build, lead, and develop a skilled and motivated workforce.

• Set clear performance expectations and manage employee performance through regular reviews and feedback.

• Partner with HR to implement training and development programs.

• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and high performance.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to all SHEQ policies and procedures.

• Maintain a safe, compliant, and accident-free working environment.

• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and statutory requirements.

Quality & Food Safety

• Lead compliance with all Food Safety and Quality Management Systems (FSSC, ISO, FSC).

• Ensure consistent adherence to product quality standards and continuous improvement in quality performance.

Risk & Governance

• Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.

• Ensure proper documentation, controls, and governance processes are in place.

• Oversee plant security and safeguard company assets.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)

• Reduction in material waste (%)

• Achievement of production and machine output targets

• On-time delivery performance

• Customer complaint levels

• Equipment uptime and maintenance efficiency

• Production cost per unit

• Lead time adherence (target: 4 working days)

• Safety performance (LTIs / incident rates)

KEY RISKS

• Excessive material waste and inefficiencies

• Customer dissatisfaction due to quality or delays

• Equipment downtime and lost production hours

• Rising operational costs impacting profitability

• Workplace safety incidents

• Low employee engagement and productivity