Lead Refinery - Edible Oil

Job Title: Lead Refinery - Edible Oil 
Department: Operations / Manufacturing
Reports To: Head - Operations 
Location: Kiambu County
Industry: Edible Oil Refinery /Process Manufacturing
Role Summary
The Lead – Refinery Plant oversees end-to-end production, ensuring optimal performance, minimal stock variances, and high operational efficiency. The role manages daily activities, production planning, process optimization, material control, maintenance coordination, and quality compliance. Requires strong technical and leadership skills, plus 10–12 years of experience in edible oil refinery operations.
Key Responsibilities
1. Production & Operations Management
•    Lead and supervise refinery production operations to achieve daily, weekly, and monthly output targets.
•    Ensure consistent product quality and adherence to process standards.
•    Implement best manufacturing practices (5S, Lean, TPM, Six Sigma).
•    Monitor plant KPIs including throughput, yield, recovery, downtime, and cycle efficiency.
•    Coordinate with planning, logistics, and procurement for uninterrupted raw material and supply flow.
2. Stock Variance & Material Accountability
•    Oversee and reconcile daily, weekly, and monthly stock reports (RM, WIP, FG).
•    Identify, analyze, and resolve stock variances through root cause analysis and control measures.
•    Strengthen internal controls to maintain accurate material balances (input vs. output).
•    Collaborate closely with inventory, warehouse, and finance teams to ensure accurate reporting.
3. Efficiency, Performance & Optimization
•    Track and improve operational parameters including process yields, energy consumption, throughput time, and OEE.
•    Lead continuous improvement projects to reduce losses, improve productivity, and enhance cost efficiency.
•    Evaluate process bottlenecks and implement corrective action plans.
•    Drive digitalization/automation initiatives (SCADA, DCS, IoT, process analytics).
4. Maintenance Coordination
•    Work with the maintenance department to plan and execute preventive, predictive, and breakdown maintenance activities.
•    Ensure equipment reliability and minimal unplanned downtime.
•    Participate in shutdown planning, execution, and performance evaluation.
•    Maintain compliance with mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and safety standards.
5. Quality, Safety & Compliance
•    Enforce strict adherence to quality control parameters and statutory guidelines.
•    Ensure compliance with ISO standards, environmental norms, and safety regulations.
•    Conduct risk assessments, safety audits, and process safety management (PSM) activities.
•    Promote a strong culture of safety, discipline, and continuous improvement.
6. Leadership & Team Development
•    Lead, coach, and mentor production supervisors, operators, and technical support teams.
•    Build capabilities through training, performance assessments, and skill-enhancement programs.
•    Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and process excellence.

Ideal Candidate Profile
Qualifications & Experience
•    Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering (Master’s preferred).
•    Must have 10–12 years of proven experience managing operations in an edible oil refinery.
•    Strong knowledge of refinery processes, utilities, DCS/SCADA systems, and mass balance principles.
•    Proven experience in production planning, process optimization, and efficiency improvement.
•    Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, OEE, and continuous improvement methodologies.
•    Hands-on knowledge of maintenance systems (CMMS, preventive maintenance, etc.).
•    This position is open exclusively to Kenyan nationals.