Plant Manager

DRAGEES HATZIYIANNAKIS S.A , a confectionery manufacturing company specializing in sugar and chocolate-coated products, with operations in Greece and international markets, is seeking a Plant Manager for its manufacturing facility in Polydendri, Attica.

We are looking for a professional with solid experience in industrial production management, a hands-on leadership approach, and the ability to translate production plans into measurable results.

This position offers an active role in organizing and developing manufacturing operations, improving productivity, and strengthening cross-functional collaboration.

The Role

Reporting directly to the General Manager, you will assume overall responsibility for plant operations, coordinating production, production planning, packaging, and maintenance.

You will be accountable for achieving production targets in terms of volume, quality, delivery performance, and cost, working closely with the Quality, Procurement, Warehouse, Commercial, R&D, and Finance departments.

The plant operates two shifts, five days per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily manufacturing operations, establishing clear responsibilities, priorities, and performance targets across departments and shifts.
• Validate and monitor production schedules, considering demand, production capacity, staffing, material availability, and delivery commitments.
• Address production delays, material shortages, and technical issues promptly, coordinating the departments involved.
• Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors and teams, assess staffing requirements, and organize employee training.
• Ensure compliance with approved production procedures, hygiene standards, food safety requirements, and occupational health and safety regulations, in collaboration with the relevant departments.
• Monitor productivity, material yields, waste, and downtime, investigate root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure accurate and reliable recording of production activities, material consumption, and batch data in the ERP system, working closely with the Warehouse and Finance departments.
• Coordinate with Maintenance to ensure equipment availability, scheduled maintenance activities, and the installation of new machinery.
• Contribute to plant budgeting, monitor operating costs, and develop well-supported improvement proposals.
• Collaborate with R&D on product trials and the successful introduction of new products into manufacturing operations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field.
• MBA or a Master's degree in relevant field is desirable.
• Proven experience of, at least, 5 years in plant or production management, with responsibility for personnel and manufacturing performance.
• Experience in production planning and coordination in environments involving multiple SKUs and sequential processing stages.
• Strong ability to organize teams, delegate responsibilities, and systematically monitor execution and performance.
• Sound understanding of food safety requirements, traceability, and non-conformance management.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and Excel, with the ability to use operational data to monitor production performance and costs.
• Good command of English.
• Clear communication skills, sound practical judgment, and the ability to make effective decisions in a demanding day-to-day manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the food manufacturing industry, particularly in confectionery or chocolate production.
• Participation in production restructuring or operational improvement projects with demonstrated results.
• Hands-on experience in continuous improvement methodologies and root cause analysis.
• Experience working in a IFS/BRCGS-certified environment and familiarity with Pylon ERP.

What the Position Offers

The Company offers competitive remuneration, continuous learning opportunities, and a friendly and challenging working environment.