The General Manager – Production & Plant Operations will be responsible for end-to-end manufacturing and plant performance of the ice cream factory. The role ensures safe, hygienic, compliant, and cost-effective production, manages seasonal demand fluctuations, maintains cold-chain integrity, and drives continuous improvement across production, maintenance, quality, utilities, and people management.This is a plant head role with full ownership of output, efficiency, food safety, cost control, and team leadership.Key Responsibilities1. Production & Manufacturing OperationsLead daily and long-term production planning aligned with sales forecasts and seasonalityEnsure achievement of volume, yield, and SKU-wise production targetsManage batch processing, freezing, extrusion, molding, filling, and packing operationsMinimise process losses, rework, wastage, and downtimeEnsure uninterrupted production during peak summer demand2. Quality, Food Safety & ComplianceEnsure strict compliance with FSSAI, GMP, GHP, HACCP, ISO 22000 and internal quality standardsOwn product quality from raw milk/ingredients intake to finished goods dispatchLead audits, inspections, and customer quality reviewsMaintain high standards of hygiene, sanitation, allergen control, and traceabilityDrive zero critical quality deviations and recalls3. Cold Chain & Utilities ManagementEnsure effective operation of cold rooms, blast freezers, hardening tunnels, and deep-freeze storageMaintain cold-chain integrity across production and storageOversee utilities including ammonia refrigeration, compressors, boilers, DG sets, water treatment, and ETP/STPDrive energy efficiency and cost optimisation initiatives4. Maintenance & Asset ReliabilityLead preventive and predictive maintenance programsEnsure high uptime of production lines and refrigeration systemsPlan and execute capex, line expansions, and new equipment commissioningManage AMC vendors and critical spares inventory5. Cost Control & ProductivityOwn plant operating costs including manpower, utilities, consumables, and maintenanceDrive cost per litre / cost per unit reductionMonitor plant budgets, variances, and corrective actionsImprove OEE, labour productivity, and material efficiency6. Inventory & Dispatch CoordinationEnsure availability and quality of raw materials, flavours, inclusions, and packagingControl WIP and finished goods inventory, especially frozen stock ageingCoordinate with logistics for timely dispatch and freezer loading7. People Leadership & Industrial RelationsLead production, quality, maintenance, stores, and utilities teamsBuild a culture of discipline, accountability, and food safety ownershipHandle manpower planning, shift rosters, contract labour, and trainingManage industrial relations and statutory labour complianceDevelop second-line leadership and succession planning8. Continuous Improvement & SystemsImplement Lean manufacturing, Kaizen, TPM, and 5S initiativesUse MIS, dashboards, and KPIs to drive performance reviewsSupport automation, digitisation, and ERP-led controlsKey Performance Indicators (KPIs)Production volume & schedule adherenceYield, wastage, and rework levelsOEE & equipment uptimeQuality complaints, audit scores, and deviationsCold-chain complianceCost per unit & budget adherenceSafety & hygiene metricsQualifications & ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Dairy Technology / Food Technology / Mechanical / Chemical EngineeringMBA / Post-graduate qualification preferred12–20 years of experience in ice cream, dairy, frozen foods, or FMCG manufacturingPrior experience as Plant Head / Production Head / Factory Manager preferredStrong exposure to high-volume, seasonal production environments