Assistant Manager Operations-KWL Tea Factory

Job description:

Job Title: Assistant Manager Operations

Location : Khanewal Factory

Role Purpose

The Assistant Manager Operations plays a pivotal role in driving day-to-day manufacturing performance while enabling long-term operational excellence. This role supports strategic goals through optimal capacity utilization, loss reduction, quality assurance, and team capability development. It is a key leadership role at the site, responsible for ensuring safety, quality, and production efficiency across all operating areas.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Operations Management

• Develop and implement strategies to optimize capacity utilization and debottleneck operations in alignment with growth targets.
• Contribute to long-term planning of operational needs including area expansions and resource optimization.
• Lead risk assessment exercises to preemptively mitigate operational bottlenecks and crisis events.

Operational Excellence

• Conduct regular operational audits to ensure adherence to standards and SOPs.
• Lead and monitor rework management processes to reduce quality defects and improve productivity.
• Implement area-specific maintenance mechanisms and drive Manex -LMS (Lipton Management System) practices & Tools.

Performance Metrics and Analysis

• Define action plans against KPIs including waste, line losses, and productivity metrics.
• Drive Zero Over Time compliance through efficient shift planning and process controls.
• Implement plans to reduce raw material and packaging material waste and improve material yield.

Benchmarking and Development

• Lead benchmarking exercises with internal and global factory networks to identify and implement best practices.
• Facilitate headcount optimization and capability building programs for both management and frontline teams.
• Conduct validation studies post operational changes and ensure continuous improvement.

Quality and Safety Assurance

• Lead factory complaint handling processes and ensure resolution within defined timelines.
• Ensure all operational activities are aligned with HACCP, FSSC, and GMP standards.
• Lead incident investigations, perform root cause analysis, and implement preventive and corrective actions.
• Proactively identify safety risks and lead mitigation initiatives.

Leadership and Coordination

• Lead daily morning meetings with cross-functional teams and ensure actions are tracked and documented.
• Act as deputy to the Manufacturing Manager during monthly operations reviews and business discussions.
• Foster a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and high performance within operations teams.

People Development & Leadership Enablement

• Lead the training, coaching, and mentoring of Shift Managers to build strong frontline leadership.
• Develop and execute structured capability roadmaps for each Shift Manager in alignment with site goals.
• Galvanize the team through effective communication, inclusive engagement, and empowerment strategies.
• Organize and facilitate regular team-building initiatives and learning sessions to enhance collaboration and morale.
• Drive a high-performance culture by instilling accountability, ownership, and continuous development across operational leadership layers.
• Design and implement recognition programs to celebrate frontline achievements.
• Create a feedback-driven culture through regular pulse checks, and one-on-one development conversations.

Stakeholder Management & Cross-functional Collaboration

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Quality, Engineering, HR, and Supply Planning to ensure end-to-end operational efficiency.
• Act as a key liaison between site leadership and the shopfloor to align business objectives with execution realities.

Digital Transformation & Data-Driven Decision Making

• Champion the adoption of digital tools for real-time performance tracking, predictive analytics, and decision-making.
• Support the integration of smart factory systems to improve operational visibility and responsiveness

Key Requirements

• 3–5 years of experience in managing end-to-end manufacturing operations, preferably within FMCG or high-volume manufacturing setups.
• Proven experience working in a unionized environment with strong industrial relations skills.
• Demonstrated leadership in periods of operational transformation or change management.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, or related technical field.
• Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• High level of technical proficiency and a deep understanding of production processes and compliance standards.