Refinery Manager

Role Purpose

Lead and manage the complete edible oil refining operations to ensure safe, efficient, cost-effective, and quality-driven production while achieving business, operational, and compliance objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Production Management

• Oversee end-to-end refinery operations including Degumming, Neutralization, Bleaching, Deodorization, Winterization, and Packing.
• Ensure achievement of production targets, yield optimization, and operational efficiency.
• Monitor refinery KPIs such as throughput, oil losses, energy consumption, and plant utilization.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to maximize productivity and cost savings.

Process Excellence

• Optimize refining processes to improve product quality and reduce processing losses.
• Implement best manufacturing practices and process controls.
• Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for process deviations.

Quality & Food Safety

• Ensure compliance with FSSAI, ISO 22000, HACCP, GMP, and customer quality standards.
• Maintain product specifications and food safety requirements.
• Lead audits and corrective action programs.

Engineering & Maintenance

• Coordinate with maintenance teams for preventive and predictive maintenance.
• Ensure high equipment availability and reliability.
• Lead capacity expansion, debottlenecking, and modernization projects.

Cost Management

• Manage refinery operating budgets and manufacturing costs.
• Control utilities consumption including steam, power, water, and fuel.
• Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities.

EHS (Environment, Health & Safety)

• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and statutory regulations.
• Promote a zero-accident culture across the refinery.
• Monitor waste management and sustainability initiatives.

Team Leadership

• Lead production, process, quality, engineering, and utility teams.
• Develop succession plans and training programs for plant personnel.
• Foster a high-performance and accountable work culture.

Supply Chain Coordination

• Coordinate with procurement, planning, logistics, and sales teams.
• Ensure smooth availability of crude oil, chemicals, consumables, and packaging materials.
• Support production planning based on market demand.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Production Volume Achievement
• Refinery Yield & Recovery
• Oil Loss Reduction
• OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
• Manufacturing Cost per MT
• Energy Consumption per MT
• Product Quality Compliance
• Safety Performance (LTIFR, Near Misses)
• Plant Utilization

Qualification

• B.E./B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, Oil Technology, Food Technology, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
• MBA/PG Diploma in Operations Management will be added advantage.

Experience

• 15-20 years in edible oil refining, foods, or vegetable oil manufacturing.
• Experience in palm oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, rice bran oil, and specialty fats processing preferred.