Operations Manager

About the Role

Prima International is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead operations at its frozen bakery manufacturing facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time role requires a professional with over 10 years of experience to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations, consistently achieving production, quality, and delivery targets.

Role Overview

The Operations Manager will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the frozen bakery manufacturing process. The role demands strong technical knowledge of industrial bakery manufacturing, frozen product handling, automated production lines, and continuous improvement methodologies to optimize operational performance and maintain high standards of product quality and food safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily factory operations, coordinating production, maintenance, sanitation, and warehouse activities with Quality Assurance and Supply Chain.
• Develop and execute production plans based on sales forecasts, customer orders, capacity, and inventory.
• Oversee frozen bakery manufacturing processes including mixing, dough preparation, lamination, forming, proofing/baking, freezing, and packaging.
• Maintain process controls for dough temperature, fermentation, product weight, freezing conditions, and finished product consistency.
• Ensure appropriate frozen storage and handling practices to preserve product quality and cold-chain integrity.
• Optimize production line performance, labor utilization, material yield, and equipment availability while reducing waste, downtime, and changeover losses.
• Manage operating budgets and monitor controllable manufacturing costs.
• Collaborate with the Maintenance team to prioritize preventive maintenance and improve equipment reliability.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP, food safety, hygiene, allergen control, traceability, and occupational safety requirements.
• Support audits, investigations, and corrective actions related to operational performance, product quality, and food safety.
• Lead production trials, new product introductions, equipment commissioning, and capacity expansion projects.
• Recruit, coach, and develop supervisors and operational staff, establishing clear accountability and performance expectations.
• Track and report operational KPIs, including production output, OEE, waste, yield, labor productivity, and manufacturing cost.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using structured problem-solving and Lean manufacturing principles.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing Management, or a related discipline; equivalent substantial industry experience will be considered.
• At least 8 years of relevant manufacturing experience, including 3–5 years in a production or operations management role within an industrial bakery environment.
• Hands-on experience in frozen bakery manufacturing is essential, preferably covering croissants, laminated dough, pastries, and other frozen dough or bakery products.
• Proven experience managing automated bakery production lines and multi-shift manufacturing teams.
• Strong understanding of dough processing, lamination, freezing technology, packaging, and frozen product storage.
• Demonstrated success in improving productivity, reducing manufacturing costs and waste, and maintaining consistent product quality.
• Practical knowledge of HACCP, GMP, food safety management systems, and factory hygiene controls.
• Experience in production planning, budgeting, inventory control, and ERP or manufacturing management systems.
• Experience with Rademaker, Lawrence, or comparable industrial bakery production lines is an advantage.
• Experience in factory start-ups, production line commissioning, or operational expansion is preferred.

Required Competencies

• Leadership and development of multicultural teams.
• Strong planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective coordination across departments.
• Commercial awareness and cost control.
• Commitment to food safety, product quality, and workplace safety.
• Ability to manage operational priorities and support shift or weekend requirements when necessary.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, within a dynamic manufacturing environment. The role requires active involvement in factory operations and collaboration with various teams to achieve production excellence.