ROLE PURPOSE

Lead end-to-end operations for a paints and coatings manufacturing business, driving manufacturing excellence, operational efficiency, cost optimization, quality, supply chain, EHS, and capacity expansion. The role will partner closely with Sales, Procurement, Finance, R&D, Quality, and Commercial teams to support business growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manufacturing & Operations

- Lead end-to-end plant operations, ensuring production plans, productivity, capacity utilization, OEE, yield, and delivery targets.

- Drive Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, process optimization, waste reduction, and operational excellence.

- Ensure optimum utilization of manpower, equipment, utilities, and other resources.

Supply Chain & Cost Optimization

- Align production planning with demand forecasts and market requirements.

- Ensure availability and efficient consumption of key raw materials including resins, pigments, solvents, additives, fillers, and packaging materials.

- Optimize inventory, working capital, material yield, manufacturing conversion costs, and logistics.

- Partner with Procurement on sourcing, cost reduction, and supply continuity.

Quality, Engineering & EHS

- Ensure consistent product quality, adherence to formulations/specifications, and timely resolution of quality issues.

- Lead maintenance, equipment reliability, plant upgrades, automation, and CAPEX projects.

- Ensure compliance with EHS, chemical handling, environmental, and statutory requirements and build a strong safety culture.

People & Business Leadership

- Lead and develop manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, warehouse, quality, and operational teams.

- Establish clear KPIs, accountability, manpower productivity, and succession plans.

- Work with the leadership team on annual business plans, capacity expansion, new product launches, and operational strategy.

- Ensure operations are aligned with customer requirements and overall business objectives.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Production & plan adherence | OEE / Capacity utilization | Manufacturing cost | Material yield & wastage | Inventory / Working Capital | On-time delivery | Quality / Customer complaints | Equipment uptime | EHS | Productivity | CAPEX delivery

CANDIDATE PROFILE

- 15-20+ years of experience in manufacturing/operations, with significant plant leadership experience.

- Experience in Paints & Coatings, Construction Chemicals, Adhesives, Specialty Chemicals, Building Materials, or related process industries preferred.

- Proven experience managing multi-functional plant/operations teams with responsibility for manufacturing, supply chain, quality, engineering, and EHS.

- Experience in East Africa/Africa or other emerging markets would be highly desirable.

- Strong exposure to cost optimization, Lean/continuous improvement, CAPEX, supply chain, and operational excellence.

- Bachelor's degree in Chemical / Mechanical / Production / Industrial Engineering or related discipline; MBA/PGDM would be an advantage.

- Strong leadership, commercial orientation, problem-solving, stakeholder management, and cross-cultural working capabilities.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

A hands-on, business-oriented operations leader capable of managing day-to-day plant performance while driving long-term operational strategy, cost competitiveness, supply reliability, quality, people development, and capacity expansion.