Production Manager

Position: Production Manager

Department: Production

Industry: Food / FMCG Manufacturing

Experience: 8–12+ years in Food/FMCG Manufacturing

Location: Irungattukottai

Reporting To: Operations Manager

We are looking for an experienced and hands-on Production Manager with strong exposure to Food/FMCG manufacturing operations. The candidate should have the maturity and technical knowledge to independently manage production activities, machinery, manpower, production planning, problem-solving, and cross-functional coordination.

This is a senior operational role and we are specifically looking for candidates who can take ownership, make practical decisions, and keep production moving with limited supervision.

·         Plan and manage daily, weekly, and monthly production activities based on business requirements.

·         Ensure production targets are achieved within the planned timelines.

·         Monitor production progress and take immediate corrective action in case of delays or deviations.

·         Ensure effective utilization of manpower, machinery, materials, and production capacity.

·         Adapt production plans quickly when there are changes in demand, material availability, manpower, machinery, or other operational constraints.

·         Have hands-on understanding of production machinery, equipment, and manufacturing processes.

·         Monitor machine performance, breakdowns, downtime, and production efficiency.

·         Coordinate with Maintenance for preventive maintenance and breakdown resolution.

·         Identify operational issues and implement practical solutions to minimize production stoppages.

·         Ensure machines and production lines are operated safely and efficiently.

·         Identify production problems quickly and determine their root causes.

·         Take timely and practical decisions to resolve operational issues.

·         Develop alternative plans when the original production plan cannot be executed.

·         Ensure production does not stop due to avoidable operational issues.

·         Drive continuous improvement in production processes, productivity, quality, and efficiency.

·         Lead and manage the production team effectively.

·         Allocate manpower according to production requirements and employee skills.

·         Delegate responsibilities clearly and monitor execution.

·         Set expectations and ensure accountability within the production team.

·         Identify skill gaps and coordinate with HR/Training for employee development.

·         Maintain discipline and ensure adherence to production procedures and company policies.

·         Work closely with R&D, QC/QA, Maintenance, Stores, Purchase, Planning, HR, and other departments to ensure smooth production.

·         Coordinate with R&D during new product development, trials, process changes, and scale-up activities.

·         Work with QC/QA to address quality issues and ensure compliance with approved standards.

·         Coordinate with Stores and Purchase to ensure timely availability of raw materials and packaging materials.

·         Maintain effective communication between production and other functions to avoid operational delays.

·         Ensure production is carried out according to approved SOPs, specifications, and quality standards.

·         Ensure adherence to applicable GMP, HACCP, FSSAI, food safety, hygiene, and statutory requirements.

·         Minimize rejection, rework, wastage, and production losses.

·         Support investigations and corrective/preventive actions for quality issues.

·         Monitor production output, productivity, yield, wastage, downtime, and efficiency.

·         Prepare and review production reports and performance metrics.

·         Identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions.

·         Provide regular updates to the Plant Head/Management on production performance and critical issues.

·         Strong hands-on knowledge of Food/FMCG manufacturing operations and production machinery.

·         Excellent production planning and execution skills.

·         Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.

·         Ability to think practically and respond quickly to unexpected production challenges.

·         Strong manpower and team management skills.

·         Effective delegation and leadership capability.

·         Strong coordination and communication skills.

·         Ability to work independently and take ownership of production operations.

·         Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

·         Strong focus on productivity, quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

We are specifically looking for an experienced Production Manager, not a junior-level candidate.

The ideal candidate should be someone who:

·         Has substantial hands-on experience in Food/FMCG manufacturing.

·         Understands production machinery and shop-floor operations.

·         Can independently plan and manage production.

·         Can quickly identify problems and implement practical solutions.

·         Does not allow production to stop when the original plan fails, but can develop an alternative approach.

·         Can effectively coordinate with R&D, QC/QA and other departments.

·         Can confidently delegate responsibilities and manage a production team.

·         Can take ownership of production operations and deliver results with limited supervision.

Mandatory: Relevant experience in Food/FMCG manufacturing and production operations.

Not preferred: Candidates without Food/FMCG manufacturing experience or candidates from unrelated industries, unless they have directly transferable and substantial manufacturing experience relevant to the role.