Operation Manager

Role Purpose

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Operations Manager to oversee our end-to-end supply chain, procurement logistics, and export operations. The ideal candidate will possess 7+ years of experience within the downstream palm oil industry, demonstrating deep expertise in fragmented supply networks, international bulk logistics, and sustainability compliance standards.

Responsibilities

1. Supply Chain & Procurement Logistics Coordinate the localized aggregation, collection, and internal logistics of palm oil waste products from various mills and refineries. Manage relationships with local transportation networks, storage terminals, and bulking installations to guarantee optimal storage conditions and zero cross contamination. Monitor domestic supply market dynamics to safeguard consistent volumes and cost-effective operational routing.

2. Export Operations Mitigate operational risks during loading, surveying, and ocean transit to avoid demurrage and cargo degradation.

3. Quality Assurance & Sustainability Compliance Standardize testing and inspection protocols alongside third-party surveyors to guarantee raw material quality meets buyer specifications.

4. Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management Direct, mentor, and upscale a high-performance execution team covering logistics, trade support, and compliance. Collaborate closely with the procurement, commercial trading desk and finance department to align supply timelines with delivery schedules.

Job Requirements & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Logistics, Chemical Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience: Minimum 7 to 10 years of proven operations or supply chain management experience within the palm oil industry (specifically downstream refinery, oleochemicals, or waste-based biofuel feedstock sectors is an added advantage.

Industry Knowledge: Strong technical understanding of palm oil derivatives and waste-based feedstocks, including Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), Palm Acid Oil (PAO), Spent Bleaching Earth Oil (SBEO), and Used Cooking Oil (UCO), is preferred.

Logistics Expertise: Extensive knowledge of liquid bulk transportation, port operations, and storage terminal infrastructure.

Core Competencies: Excellent negotiation, problem-solving, and crisis management skills, with the ability to operate effectively within unstructured or informal domestic supply markets.

Travel Requirements: Willingness to travel to collection sites, palm oil mills, bulking facilities, storage terminals, and ports as required.