DEPUTY HEAD OF MANUFACTURING (FMCG - SOAP & DETERGENT)

ABOUT THE COMPANY

We are a team of dedicated professionals from Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Career Counsellors, Mental Health Consulting and ERP sectors. Headquartered in Kenya, East Africa, with affiliates based in Africa, India, Middle East, North America, we offer an entire spectrum of consultancy services in Human Resources, Placements & Trainings, Career Counselling for Professionals & Students, Corporate & Individual Trainings, Authors & Writers Trainings, Accounting, Financial & Secretarial Services, Corporate Financial Services and ERP Implementation & Training.

JOB SUMMARY

On behalf of our client, a leading FMCG manufacturer, we are seeking an experienced Deputy Head of Manufacturing. The role holder will support the Head of Operations in overseeing full-scale plant operations across refinery, soap, and detergent production units.The ideal candidate will ensure seamless production execution, operational discipline, quality compliance, maintenance coordination, and resource optimization. The role holder will be responsible for production planning, monitoring KPIs, minimizing stock variances, and driving efficiency improvements and cost-saving initiatives across all manufacturing processes. This position requires strong technical knowledge, leadership capability, and experience in multi-product manufacturing environments.Qualifications & ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).8–10+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, preferably in Refinery, Soap, Detergent, or Process Chemical industries.Strong technical understanding of refining operations, saponification, detergent processing, filling & packaging lines.Proven expertise in production planning, process control, stock variance management, and efficiency improvement.Familiarity with Lean, TPM, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.Experience working with CMMS, ERP, and manufacturing analytics systems.Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)Production targets achievement vs. planStock variance percentageOEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)Material yield & recovery improvementQuality rejection/recall rateEnergy & cost savingsPreventive maintenance adherenceProcess downtime reductionTeam performance & skill enhancement

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Production & Operations LeadershipSupervise and coordinate daily operations across refinery, soap, and detergent production lines.Ensure production targets are achieved while maintaining quality, safety, and cost efficiency.Monitor and optimize process parameters to maintain consistent product quality and operational stability.Support capacity planning, production scheduling, and raw material utilization.Oversee shift operations, manpower planning, and workforce productivity.2. Stock Variance & Material AccountabilityLead stock monitoring processes for raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods.Review and validate daily, weekly, and monthly stock variance reports.Conduct root-cause analysis for deviations and implement corrective and preventive actions.Strengthen internal controls to improve material balance accuracy from input to output.Coordinate with supply chain, warehouse, and finance teams for accurate reporting and reconciliation.3. Efficiency, Performance Improvement & OptimizationMonitor key operational KPIs: yield, recovery, OEE, energy usage, batch cycle time, and productivity.Identify gaps in processes and drive continuous improvement projects (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM).Reduce manufacturing losses, improve throughput, and enhance overall plant performance.Implement digital monitoring systems and support automation initiatives.4. Maintenance CoordinationCollaborate with maintenance teams to ensure preventive, predictive, and breakdown maintenance is executed on time.Minimize unplanned downtime and ensure equipment reliability and availability.Participate in shutdown planning, execution, and post-analysis.Ensure all equipment and utilities comply with operational and safety standards.5. Quality, Safety & ComplianceEnsure all products meet internal quality specifications and industry regulatory standards.Support the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).Conduct regular audits on process quality, hygiene, safety, and housekeeping.Promote a strong culture of safety, discipline, and compliance across the plant.6. Reporting & DocumentationPrepare and review daily, weekly, and monthly production performance reports.Present variance analysis, efficiency metrics, downtime reports, and improvement updates to management.Ensure timely and accurate documentation of process records, deviations, and compliance reports.Analyze trends and recommend data-driven solutions for process improvement.7. Cost Reduction & Continuous ImprovementIdentify cost-saving opportunities across raw materials, utilities, manpower, and process optimization.Lead cross-functional cost reduction and waste minimization projects.Implement process automation and productivity enhancement initiatives.Benchmark processes with industry standards to ensure competitive manufacturing costs.8. Leadership & Team DevelopmentMentor production managers, supervisors, and operators to build technical competency.Drive training programs focused on safety, quality, process improvement, and equipment handling.Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Factory and workshop management, Lean manufacturing, Maintenance of mechanical equipment, Stock taking and inventory accounting, Product documentation, Performance monitoring and evaluation, Work place safety, Quality control and supervision, Production, Stock and inventory management

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree