Plant Manager  at Eat'N'Go Limited

Eat'N'Go is a restaurant group on a mission to become the premier food operator in Africa.So far our growing family consists of Domino's Pizza and Cold Stone Creamery. We seeking to hire a smart, energetic, young individual to fill the role of a Plant Manager 

Job Description

Plant Operations Management

• Oversee daily operations of the commissary production plant to ensure efficient production of ice cream products according to demand forecasts and quality standards.
• Ensure compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor production KPIs including throughput, downtime, yield, and cost per unit to identify and implement performance improvements.
• Manage cold storage and inventory systems to ensure proper handling of perishable products.

Technical & Maintenance Oversight

• Lead and supervise the maintenance team to ensure optimal performance of refrigeration systems, HVAC units, compressors, and general-purpose plant equipment.
• Establish preventive and predictive maintenance schedules to minimize downtime and extend equipment life.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to refrigeration, air conditioning, electrical, and mechanical plant systems.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards in handling ammonia, refrigerants, and other plant utilities.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to enforce hygiene, food safety, and quality control standards (HACCP, ISO, NAFDAC, FDA, etc.).
• Maintain strict temperature control processes to ensure ice cream products meet required standards.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and reduce wastage.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of production supervisors, engineers, technicians, and operators.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and operational excellence.
• Conduct regular training programs on plant operations, food safety, and technical skills.

Financial & Strategic Planning

• Develop and manage plant budgets, including production costs, maintenance expenses, and capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects.
• Optimize resource utilization to reduce costs while maintaining high production efficiency.
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning, plant expansion projects, and new technology integration.

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Ensure strict adherence to workplace safety protocols and environmental regulations.
• Implement safety awareness programs and enforce proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Drive initiatives to minimize environmental impact, energy consumption, and waste.

Qualifications & Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Food Technology, or related field.
• Master’s degree (MBA, Operations Management, or related discipline) is an added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 8–12 years progressive experience in food & beverage manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a plant/production management role.
• Strong technical background in refrigeration systems, air conditioning, and general-purpose plant maintenance is mandatory.
• Proven track record of managing large-scale food processing operations, preferably in dairy or ice cream production.

Skills & Competencies:

• Expertise in refrigeration, HVAC, mechanical and electrical plant systems.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards (HACCP, GMP, ISO, NAFDAC, FDA).
• Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in production planning, budgeting, and cost control.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, temperature-controlled environment.