Production Manager

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Production Manager to oversee and manage all production operations at a bottled drinking water manufacturing plant. The successful candidate will be responsible for planning, organizing, and supervising daily production activities to ensure efficient operations, consistent product quality, compliance with food safety and hygiene standards, and achievement of production targets. This role requires a hands-on leader with strong experience in beverage manufacturing, production line management, workforce supervision, preventive maintenance coordination, and continuous process improvement. The ideal candidate will be capable of optimizing production capacity, minimizing downtime and waste, and ensuring that all operations meet the company's quality, safety, and efficiency standards. Key Responsibilities

Production Planning and Operations

• Develop and implement daily, weekly, and monthly production plans based on demand, sales forecasts, and available resources
• Oversee the entire production process, including water treatment, purification, bottling, filling, capping, labeling, packaging, and finished-product handling
• Ensure production targets are achieved in terms of output, efficiency, quality, and delivery schedules
• Monitor production line performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity and operational efficiency
• Ensure optimal utilization of production equipment, raw materials, packaging materials, and manpower

Team Leadership and Workforce Management

• Supervise and manage production supervisors, line operators, technicians, and other production personnel
• Allocate responsibilities, organize shifts, and ensure adequate staffing for uninterrupted production
• Monitor employee performance and ensure adherence to operational procedures and workplace discipline
• Train and develop production staff to improve technical skills, productivity, and safety awareness
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational excellence

Quality Control and Food Safety

• Ensure that all production activities comply with applicable food safety regulations, hygiene standards, and company quality requirements
• Coordinate with the Quality Control (QC) team to maintain consistent product quality throughout the production process
• Ensure compliance with established procedures for water treatment, disinfection, bottling, packaging, and product handling
• Monitor production records and quality indicators to identify deviations and implement corrective actions
• Ensure proper sanitation of production equipment, filling lines, and manufacturing areas
• Support the implementation and maintenance of relevant food safety and quality management systems, such as HACCP and ISO 22000, where applicable

Equipment Performance and Maintenance Coordination

• Coordinate with the Maintenance Department to ensure the proper functioning and reliability of production machinery
• Monitor equipment performance and identify recurring breakdowns, production bottlenecks, and causes of downtime
• Ensure preventive maintenance activities are coordinated with production schedules
• Support troubleshooting and corrective actions to minimize production interruptions
• Collaborate with maintenance personnel to improve equipment availability and production line efficiency

Inventory and Resource Management

• Monitor the availability and consumption of raw materials, packaging materials, bottles, caps, labels, and other production supplies
• Coordinate with Warehouse and Procurement teams to ensure timely material availability
• Minimize material waste, product losses, and unnecessary operational costs
• Maintain appropriate production records and monitor material usage against production output
• Ensure proper handling and storage of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods in coordination with the relevant departments

Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including:

• Production output and target achievement

• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), where applicable

• Production line downtime

• Waste and rejection rates

• Labor and material efficiency

• Product quality and customer complaints

• Analyze production reports and performance data to identify operational issues and improvement opportunities

• Implement process improvements to increase capacity, reduce costs, and improve product consistency

• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly production reports for senior management

• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to standardize production activities

Health, Safety, and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety requirements
• Maintain proper housekeeping, sanitation, and organization throughout production areas
• Ensure employees follow safety procedures when operating machinery and handling chemicals used in water treatment and cleaning processes
• Identify operational risks and implement preventive measures
• Ensure production operations comply with applicable regulatory requirements and internal company policies

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or a related field is preferred

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in production management or production supervision within the bottled water, beverage, or FMCG manufacturing industry

• Proven experience managing production teams and industrial manufacturing operations

• Strong understanding of bottled water production processes, including:

• Water treatment, purification, and disinfection systems

• Bottle blowing and/or bottle handling systems, where applicable

• Filling and capping machines

• Labeling and packaging lines

• Production planning and line optimization

• Knowledge of food safety, hygiene, quality control, and relevant manufacturing standards

• Experience in production planning, workforce scheduling, and resource allocation

• Strong knowledge of production KPIs, cost control, waste reduction, and process improvement

• Experience coordinating with Maintenance, Quality Control, Warehouse, and Procurement departments

• Strong leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to make effective decisions under pressure and manage multiple operational priorities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and production reporting systems