Operation Manager Fruit Concentrates - Egypt

Job Summary The Operations Manager is responsible for directing and optimizing all manufacturing, supply chain, and quality functions at our fruit processing facility. This role ensures that production targets are met on time, within budget, and in strict compliance with global food safety standards (such as SQF, BRC, or FSSC 22000). The ideal candidate will manage everything from seasonal raw fruit sourcing and cold-chain logistics to plant maintenance and labor optimization during peak harvest seasons. Core Responsibilities Production & Plant Management Direct daily plant operations, including evaporation, pasteurization, filtration, and aseptic filling lines. Maximize yield and efficiency while minimizing product loss during the extraction and concentration processes. Manage seasonal production scaling, adapting labor and machine schedules to handle volatile crop harvest windows. Oversee preventive maintenance schedules for specialized equipment (e.g., industrial centrifuges, evaporators, boilers, and cold storage units) to prevent downtime during peak seasons. Supply Chain & Logistics Coordinate raw fruit intake with agricultural procurement teams to ensure a steady, high-quality supply of raw materials. Manage cold-chain logistics, overseeing the secure storage and transport of fresh fruit, bulk concentrates, and frozen products. Optimize inventory levels for raw materials, packaging (barrels, totes, aseptic bags), and finished goods. Quality, Safety & Compliance Enforce strict food safety standards, including HACCP, FDA/USDA regulations, and international export requirements. Partner with the Quality Assurance (QA) team to monitor brix levels, acidity, pulp content, and microbiological safety. Maintain a culture of workplace safety (OSHA), ensuring proper handling of heavy machinery and chemical sanitation agents. Financial & Team Leadership Manage the operational budget, driving cost-reduction initiatives in labor, energy, and water usage (heavy inputs in concentrate processing). Lead, mentor, and schedule a diverse team of supervisors, line workers, and maintenance technicians. Analyze operational data (KPIs) to report on yield percentages, throughput, and cost-per-gallon to executive leadership. Required Skills & Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Agribusiness, Operations Management, or a related field. Experience: 8 to 10 years’ experience with 5+ years of operations management experience specifically within food and beverage manufacturing. Direct experience in fruit processing, juice concentration, or aseptic packaging is highly preferred. Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of thermal processing, evaporation technology, and bulk aseptic packaging systems. Certifications: Active HACCP certification, SQF Practitioner or PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification is a major plus. Attributes: Strong crisis-management skills to handle crop variability, excellent mechanical aptitude, and a data-driven approach to continuous improvement (Six Sigma/Lean). Show more Show less