Senior Operations Manager (Manufacturing / Food / Beverage) - South America

A leading beverage manufacturing company in South America is seeking an experienced and results-oriented Senior Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead and optimize operations within a modern high-volume bottling facility. This senior leadership role is responsible for overseeing manufacturing performance, maintenance reliability, operational efficiency, food safety compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives across the plant. The ideal candidate is a strong operational leader with significant experience in FMCG, beverage, food processing, or industrial manufacturing environments. Key Responsibilities Manufacturing & Plant Operations Lead daily manufacturing operations across production lines, utilities, and packaging areas Ensure production targets, operational KPIs, and quality standards are consistently achieved Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility Monitor and improve plant efficiency, downtime reduction, waste control, and line performance Engineering & Maintenance Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs for production and utility systems Ensure operational reliability of filling lines, compressors, boilers, refrigeration systems, water treatment, and packaging equipment Support equipment upgrades, plant modernization projects, and capital investments Coordinate with technical suppliers, contractors, and engineering partners Quality, Safety & Compliance Ensure compliance with food safety standards, quality systems, and regulatory requirements Maintain high standards for sanitation, operational hygiene, and workplace safety Support internal and external audits and implement corrective actions where required Leadership & Team Development Lead and develop multidisciplinary operational teams Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and performance excellence Coach supervisors and operational leaders to strengthen organizational capability Requirements Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related discipline Minimum 8–10 years of leadership experience in FMCG, beverage, food processing, or industrial manufacturing operations Strong understanding of automated manufacturing systems, utilities, maintenance management, and packaging operations Proven experience managing large operational teams within a high-volume production environment Experience with Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies is highly desirable Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities Excellent leadership and communication skills Benefits Compensation package with expat benefits (housing allowances, flights, school allowances, medical premium insurance).