OPERATIONS MANAGER

ROLE PURPOSE:
The Plant Manager / Operations Manager is the engine room leader of FON Packaging Ventures. This role carries full accountability for the safe, efficient, and profitable operation of the packaging plant — from raw material intake through to finished goods dispatch. The role demands a rare combination: the technical command to understand and oversee corrugated carton manufacturing machinery, the commercial acumen to engage clients and report on financial performance, and the leadership capability to build and sustain a disciplined, high-output production team. As FON Packaging enters a period of deliberate operational revamping and capacity expansion, the Plant Manager will be a critical partner to the General Manager in translating strategic priorities into daily operational reality. This is not a maintenance role — it is a growth role, and the right candidate will be someone who builds systems, elevates team performance, and drives continuous improvement

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Production Oversight & Planning

• Own the full production cycle — planning, scheduling, execution, and quality assurance for all carton manufacturing output.
• Translate the order register into a structured daily and weekly production schedule, ensuring on-time delivery performance
• Monitor production output against targets and implement corrective measures when throughput falls below plan.
• Oversee raw material consumption, waste reduction, and yield optimization across all product lines. – Ensure production tonnage data is accurately captured and reported in the monthly performance report. – Drive continuous

Plant Engineering & Maintenance

• Apply mechanical and electrical engineering knowledge to diagnose, manage, and resolve equipment faults proactively.
• Own the preventive maintenance schedule for all plant machinery — ensuring zero unplanned downtime through disciplined maintenance planning. – Liaise with machine vendors and maintenance contractors for scheduled servicing, spare parts procurement, and technical support.
• Ensure all machinery is operated safely and in compliance with manufacturer specifications and local workplace safety requirements.
• Lead root-cause analysis for recurring equipment issues and implement durable technical solutions

Team Leadership & People Management

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• Lead, develop, and hold accountable the full production team — including machine operators, assistants, and logistics personnel.
• Set clear daily, weekly, and monthly performance targets for each team member and conduct regular performance reviews.
• Build a culture of discipline, quality consciousness, and ownership on the production floor.
• Identify skill gaps and coordinate training interventions to build a technically capable and self-sufficient team.
• Handle people issues — attendance, discipline, conflict — with professionalism and in line with company policy.

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as the technical point of contact for key clients on production-related matters — including specifications, quality standards, lead times, and delivery planning.
• Attend client meetings alongside the General Manager or independently when technical production expertise is required.
• Manage client quality expectations proactively — no client should receive a substandard product or a surprise delivery failure.
• Provide production status updates to the Administrator and Client Account Managers to ensure clients are always informed

Financial Reporting & Cost Control

• Own production cost reporting — tracking raw material costs, consumable usage, labour efficiency, and machine utilization.
• Contribute to the Monthly Performance Report with production data: tonnage, unit quantities, capacity utilization, and cost per unit.
• Identify and implement cost-saving measures in production without compromising output quality.
• Manage the plant’s operational budget inputs and flag any cost overruns or inefficiencies to the General Manager immediately.
• Support procurement decisions for raw materials, packaging inputs, and plant consumables — balancing cost, quality, and lead time.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Maintain a safe working environment — enforce safety protocols, conduct regular safety audits, and ensure all team members are trained on safe operating procedures.
• Ensure the plant operates in compliance with all applicable Ghanaian regulatory standards.
• Maintain accurate records of incidents, near-misses, and corrective actions taken

Quality Assurance

• Establish and enforce quality control checkpoints at each stage of the production process.
• Investigate and resolve quality complaints from clients with root-cause analysis and documented corrective action.
• Ensure all outgoing products meet FON Packaging’s quality standards and client specifications before dispatch.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

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Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• A degree in Manufacturing Management or Operations Management combined with strong hands-on technical experience will be considered.
• Professional membership of an engineering or manufacturing body (e.g., Ghana Institution of Engineers) is an advantage

Experience Profile

• 5–10 years of progressive operations or plant management experience, ideally within the packaging, printing, or corrugated manufacturing sector.
• Demonstrable track record of improving plant productivity, reducing downtime, or driving measurable cost efficiencies.
• Experience working under a General Manager or MD in a medium-sized manufacturing operation is highly desirable.
• Prior exposure to raw material sourcing, supplier management, or production procurement is an added advantage.

Technical Skills

• Sound working knowledge of corrugated carton or flexible packaging manufacturing processes — or the proven ability to acquire this quickly.
• Proficiency in production planning and scheduling methodologies.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel for production tracking, cost reporting, and performance data management.