General Manager - Operations - Solvent Extraction Plant

Role & responsibilities

The General Manager Operations is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for the Solvent Extraction Plant and Rice Bran Oil Refinery. The role ensures the achievement of production, quality, safety, cost, and profitability objectives while driving operational excellence, process optimization, regulatory compliance, and team development.

The incumbent will lead cross-functional teams to maximize plant efficiency, improve oil recovery and refining yields, ensure safe operations, and support the organization's long-term growth strategy.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Operations Management

• Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Lead end-to-end manufacturing operations covering Solvent Extraction, Refining, Utilities, Warehousing, and Dispatch.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives to enhance productivity, efficiency, and profitability.
• Ensure optimum utilization of plant capacity, manpower, and resources.
• Establish and monitor operational KPIs and performance metrics.

2. Production Management

• Ensure achievement of daily, monthly, and annual production targets.
• Monitor plant performance and process parameters to achieve maximum extraction efficiency and refining yield.
• Ensure adherence to approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and best manufacturing practices.
• Minimize process losses, solvent consumption, downtime, and wastage.
• Lead initiatives for process stabilization and productivity improvement.

3. Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities for process enhancement, debottlenecking, and cost reduction.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, TPM, and other continuous improvement programs.
• Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and operational reliability.
• Benchmark plant performance against industry standards and implement best practices.

4. Maintenance & Asset Reliability

• Collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance teams to ensure maximum plant availability.
• Oversee preventive, predictive, and breakdown maintenance activities.
• Ensure effective management of critical equipment and utilities.
• Plan annual shutdowns, maintenance budgets, and capital improvement projects.
• Drive asset reliability and lifecycle management initiatives.

5. Quality & Food Safety Management

• Ensure production of products meeting customer and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain compliance with FSSAI, ISO 22000, HACCP, GMP, and other applicable standards.
• Drive quality improvement initiatives and reduction of customer complaints.
• Ensure robust process controls and quality assurance systems are in place.

6. Environment, Health & Safety (EHS)

• Foster a strong culture of safety across all plant operations.
• Ensure compliance with statutory safety regulations, environmental laws, and corporate EHS standards.
• Lead Process Safety Management (PSM) initiatives.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement preventive and corrective actions.
• Ensure emergency preparedness and incident management systems are effective.

7. Supply Chain & Inventory Management

• Coordinate with Procurement and Supply Chain teams to ensure uninterrupted availability of Rice Bran, Hexane, Chemicals, Packaging Materials, and Consumables.
• Optimize inventory levels while maintaining operational continuity.
• Monitor material consumption norms and inventory control systems.

8. Financial & Cost Management

• Prepare and manage annual operating budgets.
• Monitor manufacturing costs and implement cost-saving initiatives.
• Optimize energy consumption, utility costs, and resource utilization.
• Support business profitability through effective operational controls.

9. People Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead and develop a high-performance operations team.
• Establish clear performance objectives and accountability measures.
• Drive employee engagement, capability building, and succession planning.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.

10. Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable statutory, regulatory, and corporate requirements.
• Maintain accurate operational records, reports, and documentation.
• Support internal, external, customer, and certification audits.
• Ensure adherence to company policies and governance standards.

Preferred candidate profile

• 1. 15+ years of relevant experience in Solvent Extraction / Rice Bran Oil / Edible Oil / Oil Extraction / Agro Processing industry.
• 2. Strong knowledge of solvent extraction plant operations and processes.
• 3. Experience in handling production, plant operations, manpower, and maintenance coordination.
• 4. Good knowledge of production planning, yield improvement, cost control, and safety.
• 5. Strong leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, and team management skills.
• 6. Candidates with experience in plant expansion, commissioning, or capacity enhancement will have an added advantage.

Perks and benefits

As per the Industry Norms. Interested candidates can apply for the job & for more details please call, Mobile: 93459 12525

Email: hr@vaighaiagro.com

Company Name: VAIGHAI AGRO PRODUCTS LIMITED - MADURAI UNIT

Location :R.S. 350 Part Sholavanthan Road, Nagari , Thanichiyam Village, Vadipatti T.K ,Madurai -625221

Company Website: https://vaighaiagro.com/