Factory Director

About This Role

The Factory Director is the senior leader responsible for overseeing all operational activities within the food manufacturing plant. This role ensures that production processes meet the highest standards of food safety, quality, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. The Factory Director drives operational excellence, leads cross-functional teams, and ensures the plant delivers its production targets while maintaining a safe and collaborative working environment.

This position requires strategic thinking, strong leadership, and in-depth knowledge of food production processes and industry standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Industrial Management, or related fields.
• Master’s degree (MBA or related discipline) is an advantage.
• 10+ years of experience in food or beverage manufacturing, including at least 5 years in a senior management role.
• Proven track record in leading production plants with strong operational KPIs.
• Experience with HACCP, GMP, ISO 22000, or BRC certification management.
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making abilities.
• In-depth understanding of manufacturing processes and production technologies.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to manage budgets, costs, and operational metrics.
• High level of problem-solving skills in fast-paced environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily factory operations to meet production, quality, and supply chain targets.
• Develop and implement production plans aligned with company goals.
• Monitor KPIs related to efficiency, yield, waste reduction, and production cost.
• Ensure machinery, equipment, and production lines operate at optimal performance.
• Ensure strict compliance with food safety standards such as HACCP, GMP, ISO 22000, BRC, or equivalent.
• Work closely with QA/QC teams to maintain product quality and manage audits.
• Lead root-cause analysis for quality or safety issues and implement corrective actions.
• Lead, coach, and develop factory management teams (production, engineering, quality, warehouse, etc.).
• Foster a safety-first culture among all employees.
• Manage workforce planning, training, and performance evaluations.
• Ensure compliance with local and international food safety regulations.
• Maintain all required certifications and prepare for internal/external audits.
• Manage health, safety & environmental (HSE) programs.
• Manage factory budgets, including labor, utilities, maintenance, and materials.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce cost and increase productivity.
• Oversee procurement of raw materials and coordination with supply chain teams.
• Participate in annual operation planning, CAPEX planning, and long-term factory expansion.
• Identify opportunities for automation, digital transformation, and process optimization.
• Support new product development and line extensions.