Deputy Head of Manufacturing (Soap & Detergent)

About the Role

A dynamic manufacturing team is expanding and seeking an experienced operations leader to drive production excellence across soap, detergent, and refinery operations. You will oversee daily manufacturing activities, optimize efficiency, and lead continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production across refinery, soap, and detergent lines, ensuring targets, quality, safety, manpower productivity, and optimal resource utilization
• Monitor raw material, WIP, and finished goods variances; drive root-cause analysis and strengthen material balance controls in coordination with supply chain and finance teams
• Track KPIs such as OEE, yield, recovery, energy usage, and downtime; drive Lean/TPM initiatives to improve throughput and reduce manufacturing losses
• Coordinate with maintenance teams to ensure preventive and breakdown maintenance, minimize unplanned downtime, and support shutdown planning and execution
• Ensure GMP, SOP, quality standards, hygiene, and safety compliance while promoting a disciplined, audit-ready manufacturing culture
• Prepare production and variance reports, analyze trends, and lead cost-reduction initiatives across materials, utilities, manpower, and processes
• Mentor production teams, build technical capability, and drive training focused on safety, quality, equipment handling, and continuous improvement

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering (Master's preferred)
• 8–10+ years of experience in FMCG/Process Manufacturing (Soap, Detergent, Refinery, Chemicals)
• Strong technical knowledge of refining, saponification, detergent processing, filling, and packaging
• Proven experience in production planning, OEE, yield improvement, and stock variance control

Preferred Skills & Systems Knowledge

• Lean, TPM, and Six Sigma methodologies
• CMMS and ERP systems
• Manufacturing analytics systems