Assistant Production Manager

Role Overview

Assistant Production Manager at Emirates Flight Catering, responsible for overseeing daily production operations in a high-volume food manufacturing environment.

Role Purpose

To manage and optimize production activities, ensure compliance with safety and quality standards, lead and develop production teams, and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and product delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Safety & Compliance

• Conduct regular risk assessments, investigate incidents promptly, and enforce compliance with safety protocols to maintain a hazard and injury free work environment.
• Enforce hygiene and food safety standards through regular audits, address non-conformances and implement timely corrective actions.

Production Operations

• Manage and monitor daily production activities by allocating resources effectively, prioritizing tasks, and ensuring timely product delivery with consistent quality standards.
• Track key operational metrics, monitor equipment-related losses, and coordinate maintenance activities to maximize uptime and minimize disruptions.
• Monitor and control planned labor hours, reduce unplanned overtime, and implement cost-saving measures without compromising production timelines or quality.

Team Leadership & Development

• Plan staff schedules, lead performance appraisals, provide targeted training and coaching, and resolve conflicts to optimize team performance and maintain high engagement.
• Build a high-performing team by promoting a positive work culture, recognizing achievements, supporting career growth and reducing staff turnover.

Continuous Improvement & Optimization

• Collaborate with Organizational Effectiveness team to identify lean principles and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance process efficiency, improve yields, minimize waste, and ensure operational consistency.
• Collaborate with Menu Development and cross-functional teams during product trials and rollouts, ensuring workforce readiness, proper training, and smooth production integration.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Liaise with Supply Chain, Menu Development, and Safety teams to align production schedules, ensure material availability and meet compliance requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Food Science or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in a supervisory role within a high volume FMCG or food manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience implementing lean manufacturing principles (5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma) with measurable results.

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrate proven problem-solving ability with a history of driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead with strong leadership skills and excellent interpersonal abilities to motivate and guide teams.
• Analyze data, track KPIs, and use metrics to drive performance improvements.
• Operate production management software, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Maintain exceptional focus on ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and productivity standards.
• Anticipate challenges, identify areas for improvement, and take initiative to implement effective changes.
• Thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments and adapt quickly to evolving production needs.