Chief Operating Officer (Food Manufacturing Operations)

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Strategy: Develop and implement long-term operational plans that support business objectives, future expansion, product development, and increased manufacturing capability.
• Manufacturing Leadership: Direct daily manufacturing activities across multiple product lines, ensuring production goals are achieved efficiently while maintaining consistently high standards.
• Quality and Regulatory Oversight: Ensure all manufacturing processes comply with applicable food safety legislation, quality standards, certification requirements, and industry best practices.
• Engineering and Infrastructure Management: Oversee plant maintenance, equipment reliability, facility performance, and capital investment projects designed to improve operational effectiveness.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives focused on process optimisation, productivity enhancement, waste minimisation, cost control, and operational standardisation across manufacturing operations.
• People Development: Build, mentor, and support high-performing leadership teams while promoting employee engagement, succession planning, workplace safety, and professional development.
• Financial Performance: Manage operational expenditure, monitor manufacturing costs, contribute to profitability objectives, and support investment decisions through detailed business analysis and planning.
• Performance Monitoring: Establish meaningful operational metrics and reporting structures to evaluate efficiency, service delivery, production output, inventory performance, and overall operational effectiveness.

Qualifications, Skills, and Attributes

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Food Technology, Manufacturing Management, or a related discipline. A postgraduate qualification such as an MBA would be considered advantageous.
• Experience: A minimum of eight years' senior management experience within food manufacturing, FMCG, or comparable production environments, with responsibility for large-scale operations.
• Language Skills: Excellent command of English is required to succeed in this role. The ability to communicate in Maltese would be an asset.
• Communication Skills: Strong ability to communicate effectively with executive stakeholders, management teams, suppliers, regulatory authorities, and operational personnel.
• Interpersonal Skills: Proven ability to influence, motivate, and develop teams while fostering collaboration across multiple departments.
• Technical Skills: Solid understanding of manufacturing systems, operational performance management, enterprise resource planning systems, process improvement methodologies, and production planning.
• Organisation: Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities, large-scale projects, and operational demands within a fast-paced environment.
• Self-Motivated: Results-driven professional with a proactive approach to leadership, business improvement, and organisational development.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and decision-making capabilities, with the ability to identify opportunities, resolve operational challenges, and implement effective solutions.
• Leadership Capability: Demonstrated success in leading organisational change, driving operational excellence, and developing future leaders within a manufacturing setting.
• Commercial Awareness: Strong financial understanding with the ability to balance operational performance, customer expectations, and profitability objectives.

What's on Offer

• Compensation: A competitive base salary with performance-based incentives.
• Working Hours: Full-time role, with flexibility depending on operational requirements.
• Other Benefits: Executive package including performance bonuses, health insurance, car or fuel allowance, mobile allowance, wellbeing initiatives, and leadership development support.
• Career Development: Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within a dynamic and expanding company.