Role Overview

The Manager - Process Engineering & Production will be responsible for managing end-to-end production operations and optimizing process efficiency in the Dal processing facility. The role will focus on improving productivity, ensuring quality standards, minimizing wastage, and driving continuous process improvements across milling, cleaning, grading, and packaging operations.

The position requires strong technical understanding of food processing operations, plant management, and process optimization to ensure smooth and efficient plant operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Production Management

- Oversee daily production operations of the Dal processing plant.

- Ensure production targets are achieved while maintaining quality and cost efficiency.

- Monitor capacity utilization, throughput, and plant productivity.

- Coordinate with procurement and supply chain teams to ensure smooth raw material availability.

2. Process Engineering & Optimization

- Analyze existing manufacturing processes and identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency enhancement.

- Implement process optimization techniques to reduce wastage and improve yield.

- Monitor and improve process parameters across cleaning, milling, splitting, grading, and polishing stages.

- Drive initiatives for automation and technology upgrades where applicable.

3. Quality & Food Safety Compliance

- Ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards such as FSSAI, HACCP, and GMP practices.

- Work closely with the Quality team to maintain product consistency and quality benchmarks.

- Implement corrective actions to address process deviations and quality issues.

4. Cost Optimization

- Track and control production costs, wastage, and energy consumption.

- Identify opportunities for cost reduction and operational efficiency improvements.

- Improve yield and minimize process losses in milling operations.

5. Plant & Equipment Efficiency

- Collaborate with the maintenance team to ensure minimal downtime and optimal machine performance.

- Monitor performance of processing equipment such as cleaners, graders, dehuskers, splitters, optical colour sortex machines, polishers, and packaging lines.

- Implement preventive maintenance practices to improve reliability.

6. Team Management

- Lead and manage production supervisors, operators, and plant workers.

- Ensure proper training, safety awareness, and adherence to standard operating procedures.

- Drive a culture of operational discipline and continuous improvement.

7. Reporting & Continuous Improvement

- Monitor and report production KPIs, efficiency metrics, and quality parameters.

- Prepare regular production and process improvement reports for management review.

- Lead initiatives related to Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or operational excellence where applicable.

Key Skills & Competencies

- Strong knowledge of food processing / grain / pulse processing operations

- Expertise in process engineering and production optimization

- Understanding of food safety standards and regulatory compliance

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

- Knowledge of manufacturing KPIs and productivity metrics

- Ability to lead plant teams and drive operational improvements

- Strong coordination and stakeholder management skills

Educational Qualification

- Bachelor's degree in Food Technology / Food Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / Chemical Engineering

- Additional certification in Food Safety / Lean / Six Sigma will be an advantage

Experience

- 8-12 years of experience in food processing, agro-processing, or grain milling operations

- Experience in Dal mills, rice mills, pulse processing, or similar food manufacturing plants preferred

- Prior exposure to process engineering and production management roles in manufacturing environments

Key Success Indicators

- Improved production efficiency and plant throughput

- Reduced process losses and wastage

- Consistent product quality and regulatory compliance

- Improved plant productivity and cost optimization