Engineering Success

Our client is a growing food manufacturing and export company specialising in high-end confectionery and food decoration solutions (sugar, marshmallow, and chocolate decorations) for international markets. It operates two sites in Thailand: an R&D centre and production facility in Pattaya and Korat.

Reporting to the General Manager and acting as their direct deputy, the Operations Manager is the company’s second-in-command, leading all manufacturing and operational activities across both sites, with the Korat factory overseen through its Branch Manager. The role drives operational excellence, customer satisfaction, food safety compliance, cost competitiveness and organisational development, and suits a strong, autonomous leader with solid food manufacturing and multi-site management experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all operational activities across the Pattaya and Korat sites, managing the Korat Branch Manager and all teams to achieve production, quality, service, cost and profitability objectives.
• Establish, monitor and report operational KPIs; drive operational excellence, productivity and continuous improvement.
• Develop and manage annual operating budgets; monitor manufacturing costs and lead cost reduction initiatives.
• Oversee production planning, forecasting, capacity management and inventory of raw materials, packaging and finished goods.
• Coordinate with Sales, R&D, Administration and QA/QC to ensure customer satisfaction, and improve Standard Operating Processes.
• Ensure compliance with SHE, food safety and quality standards, maintaining traceability and regulatory compliance (GMP, HACCP, BRCGS, SMETA, Halal, Kosher) across sites.
• Lead CAPEX projects, factory upgrades and digitalisation initiatives; oversee maintenance, utilities, warehouse and facilities.
• Develop people through coaching, succession planning and engagement; support business growth, new product industrialisation and future factory expansion.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Sciences, Food/Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management or related field; Master’s or MBA an advantage.
• Minimum 8–10 years in food manufacturing, including 5+ years in senior operations management; multi-site exposure highly appreciated.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, supply chain, budgeting, cost control and continuous improvement; solid grasp of food safety systems (GMP, HACCP, GFSI, SMETA, Halal, Kosher).
• Strong leadership, analytical and problem-solving skills; autonomous, proactive and solution-oriented, thriving in a small, agile and demanding environment.
• Motivated to deliver high-quality, innovative products On-Time-In-Full for international clients; fluent in Thai and English and willing to travel regularly between both sites.