Cocoa Plant Manager at SAO Group

Role Summary

• The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall management of the cocoa processing facility, ensuring efficient transformation of raw cocoa beans into semi-finished and finished products such as cocoa liquor, butter, cake, and powder, while maintaining global food safety and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities
Plant Operations & Production Oversight

• Oversee the full cocoa processing flow: Bean receiving & grading, Cleaning & destoning, Roasting, Cracking & winnowing, Grinding (cocoa liquor production), Pressing (cocoa butter & cake separation), Pulverizing (cocoa powder production)
• Ensure optimal plant throughput and minimal production downtime
• Approve daily/weekly production schedules aligned with demand forecasts

Production Efficiency & Yield Management

• Monitor cocoa yield loss at each processing stage
• Ensure optimal extraction rates of cocoa butter and liquor
• Implement continuous improvement strategies (lean manufacturing, Six Sigma principles)

Quality & Compliance Oversight

• Ensure compliance with: HACCP, ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000
• Food safety regulations (local & international export standards)
• Ensure traceability of cocoa beans from sourcing to finished goods
• Oversee quality parameters such as: Moisture content, Fat content, Bean defect levels, Roasting profiles

Leadership & Coordination

• Lead Production, QA/QC, Maintenance, and Warehouse teams
• Ensure cross-functional coordination between procurement and production
• Conduct performance reviews and workforce planning

Cost & Resource Management

• Control production cost per ton of cocoa processed
• Optimize energy usage (roasters, grinders, presses)
• Reduce waste and improve recovery rates

Required Qualifications & Experience

• B.Sc in Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering
• 12 years plus in cocoa/food processing or FMCG manufacturing
• Strong understanding of cocoa value chain processing equipment