A total milk output of roughly 484,000 tons has been generated by our client in 2018, the largest raw milk producer in the Russian Federation and Europe. To increase its vertical integration, the Group is successively expanding its own milk processing operations with the aim of becoming Russia’s leading fully integrated producer of dairy products. To enhance the further sustainable growth, we are currently looking for an 

 Interim Manager as Director of Manufacturing / Operations Dairy Production (w/m) 

 The Interim Manager is responsible for directing the production of multiple dairy manufacturing facilities whilst meeting short- and long-term manufacturing objectives with optimum efficiency. Further, the position involves conducting overall supervision, accountability and direction of all manufacturing plant managers, engineers, and the maintenance teams. The IM participates in the consideration and recommendation of products to manufacture which streamline the profitability and unique offering of fresh products to customers.  

 Requirements 

• Establishing an organizational structure of the clients overall manufacturing facilities 

• Accountable for developing and delivering the strategic vision for the manufacturing organization 

• Developing manufacturing key performance indicators and goals and its monitoring 

• Overseeing project management, define scope and project budget, schedule management, construction management, start up, conceptual phases, project closeout, cost estimation, system design, equipment sizing and selection, procurement, installation, check-out  

• Leading Plant Managers, Engineers and Maintenance teams in efficient and safe operational practices 

• Maintaining safe and sanitary operations complying with and exceeding officials’ requirements  

• Integrating manufacturing planning to meet merchandising needs and goals  

• Determining long- and short-range requirements of personnel, material, and facilities to accomplish production forecasts  

• Directing and reviewing operating results, evaluating progress at each facility and controlling expenses related to human capital, budgets, and inventory capital. Identifying and evaluating opportunities to control or reduce cost within the manufacturing plants 

• Developing the annual manufacturing expense budget in accordance with forecasted sales volumes and capital projects, holding Plant Managers accountable to the adherence of set budgets  

• Collaborating with cross-functional line of business leaders on growth and operational initiatives, ultimately leading teams empowered to execute improvement strategies while identifying tools to improve process capabilities, reduce variability and eliminate defects  

• Collaborating with cross functional teams in supply chain, merchandising and product development to ensure that product offerings exceed customer expectations  

• Implementing improvements to existing standards using appropriate technical evaluation and involvement 

• Engineering interface with the business leadership team – maintaining close working relationship with R&D, quality, manufacturing, merchandising, retail operations, operations leadership and financial operations  

• Utilizing Continuous Improvement tools in order to deliver capital projects that meet all budgetary and performance commitments  

 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain or Food Science or relevant related work experience  

• 10+ years of food manufacturing experience (dairy experience preferred)  

• Experience with LEAN Six Sigma preferred  

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in German, English and the will to learn Russian 

• Demonstrated ability to work through cross functional challenges paired with a strong problem-solving approach 

• Able to mobilize change within a business unit and across organization  

• Management / supervisory experience required  

• Demonstrated ability to set priorities for multiple demands in a fast-paced environment  

 Offer 

Workload: 100% 

Start: asap 

End: December 2024 

Location: Russia (St. Petersburg) 

We offer a very challenging Interim Management or fix term position with plenty of room for growth. Sign up over Daniel Rolla, CEO/Senior Partner: daniel.rolla@swiss-interim-management.ch / Phone +41 44 5853971 or register online.