Job Openings at CapitalSage

About the job

The role of an Operations Manager in a cocoa processing company is critical for overseeing and optimizing the production processes, ensuring efficiency, quality, and compliance with industry standards. The Operations Manager plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient and high-quality production processes, meeting customer demands, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance overall operational performance.

Key Responsibilities Associated With The Role Are

• Production Management: The Operations Manager is responsible for managing the overall production operations of the cocoa processing company. This involves developing production plans, scheduling, and coordinating activities to meet production targets efficiently.
• Process Optimization: The Operations Manager plays a crucial role in optimizing the cocoa processing operations to improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance product quality. This includes analysing production processes, identifying bottlenecks, and implementing improvements or automation where necessary.
• Quality Control: Ensuring that the cocoa processing operations meet the required quality standards is a vital aspect of the Operations Managers role. This involves implementing quality control procedures, monitoring production processes, conducting inspections, and collaborating with quality assurance teams to maintain consistent product quality.
• Inventory Management: Managing inventory levels, including raw cocoa beans, intermediate products, and finished goods, is an important responsibility. The Operations Manager oversees inventory control processes, ensures accurate stock counts, and works closely with procurement and logistics teams to optimize inventory levels and minimize stock-outs or excess inventory.
• Resource Allocation: The Operations Manager is responsible for efficiently allocating resources, including labor, equipment, and materials, to meet production demands. This involves workforce planning, equipment maintenance, scheduling, and optimizing material usage to minimize waste and maximize productivity.
• Safety and Compliance: The Operations Manager plays a critical role in ensuring a safe working environment for employees and compliance with applicable health and safety regulations. They implement safety protocols, conduct regular safety inspections, and promote a culture of safety awareness among the production team.
• Continuous Improvement: The Operations Manager drives continuous improvement initiatives within the cocoa processing company. This includes identifying areas for improvement, implementing Lean manufacturing principles, encouraging employee engagement in process improvement, and tracking key performance indicators to drive operational excellence.
• Team Leadership and Development: The Operations Manager provides leadership and guidance to the production team, including supervisors and operators. They foster a positive work culture, provide coaching and mentorship, and support employee development and training initiatives.
• Collaboration and Communication: The Operations Manager collaborates with cross-functional teams such as procurement, quality assurance, maintenance, and logistics to ensure smooth operations and effective coordination across departments. Effective communication skills are essential for coordinating activities, resolving issues, and aligning objectives with other functional areas.
• Other duties assigned by your supervisor.

Requirements

• Education: A bachelors degree in food science, engineering, or operations management or equivalent in relevant field.Previous experience in a supervisory or managerial role within the food processing industry, ideally in cocoa processing or similar operations, is highly preferred.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in production planning, process optimization, and quality assurance methodologies. Familiarity with relevant machinery and equipment used in cocoa processing, as well as the ability to troubleshoot technical issues, is necessary.
• Compliance and Safety Awareness: Knowledge of relevant industry regulations, quality standards, and health and safety practices. Familiarity with certifications such as HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is advantageous.
• Analytical Skills, Safety Knowledge, Problem-Solving Skills and Time Management Skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

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Job Overview:

As a Production Manager in a cocoa processing factory, you will be responsible for overseeing the production operations and ensuring efficient and safe processing of cocoa beans into various cocoa products. You will manage a team of production staff, coordinate with other departments, and implement strategies to optimize production output, quality, and cost-effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Planning and Scheduling: Develop production plans, schedules, and targets to meet customer demands and optimize production efficiency.
• Process Optimization: Identify opportunities for process improvement, cost reduction, and yield optimization in cocoa processing operations. Implement measures to enhance production efficiency and reduce waste.
• Quality Control: Ensure adherence to quality standards and specifications in all stages of cocoa processing, from bean selection to finished products. Implement quality control measures and conduct regular inspections and tests.
• Equipment Maintenance and Calibration: Coordinate with maintenance teams to ensure timely servicing, repair, and calibration of production equipment to minimize downtime and maintain optimal machine performance.
• Inventory Management: Oversee inventory levels of raw materials, packaging materials, and finished products. Coordinate with procurement and logistics teams to ensure smooth supply chain operations.
• Team Management: Lead and supervise production staff, including training, performance management, and scheduling. Foster a safe and positive work environment, promoting teamwork and employee engagement.
• Health and Safety Compliance: Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and promote a culture of safety in production operations. Conduct regular safety inspections and implement corrective actions as necessary.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify areas for improvement in production processes, equipment, and workflows. Implement lean manufacturing principles and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives.
• Reporting and Analysis: Collect and analyze production data, including output, efficiency, and quality metrics. Prepare reports on production performance, trends, and recommendations for management.
• Collaboration and Communication: Coordinate with other departments, such as procurement, quality assurance, maintenance, and logistics, to ensure seamless production operations. Communicate production status, issues, and priorities effectively to relevant stakeholders.

Requirements

• Education: A bachelors degree in food science, engineering, or operations management or equivalent in the relevant field.
• Proven experience in a production management role within a cocoa processing or food manufacturing environment is highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of cocoa processing operations, including bean cleaning, roasting, grinding, and pressing.
• Familiarity with quality control procedures and food safety standards
• Proficiency in using production management software and Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Analytical Skills, Safety Knowledge, Problem-Solving Skills and Time Management Skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.