Operations Manager - Foods

Company Description

Clarion Foods embarked on its journey in the food industry in 2008. Over the years, it has grown into one of the leading private label manufacturing companies in India, diversifying its product range and expanding its manufacturing footprint.

With prime focus on food and beverages, Clarion established a modern FSSC 22000 certified facility near Chennai. With an investment of INR 200 million, the State of the art facility boasts of 63,000 sq.ft. built up area.

In May 2025, Clarion commissioned a new brining and cold storage facility in Eachambadi, Dharmapuri District strategically located in the agricultural belt connecting Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Clarion Foods offers world class private label manufacturing services and exports high quality products to various international markets.

Role Description

We are seeking a dedicated, full-time Operations Manager - Foods for our on-site facility in Chennai.

The Operations Manager will lead the end-to-end production activities of our integrated food manufacturing facility. This role is critical for ensuring the seamless execution of daily fresh batter production alongside our stable lines (pickles, masalas, and health mixes). The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker capable of balancing Production Planning & Control (PPC) with aggressive cost-management and efficiency goals.

Key Responsibilities

• PPC & Production Scheduling: Oversee Production Planning and Control to meet fluctuating market demands, specifically managing the high-velocity daily manufacturing of fresh wet batter.

• Process Optimization: Implement methodologies to minimize waste, reduce downtime, and improve throughput across all lines (wet and dry).

• Cost Control: Monitor and manage Opex, focusing on labour productivity, energy consumption, and raw material yields to ensure healthy margins.

• Facility Management: Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of specialized machinery for grinding, mixing, and packaging to prevent production bottlenecks.

• Inter-departmental Liaison: Coordinate with Procurement for raw material availability and Logistics for the timely dispatch of short-shelf-life products.

• Safety & Compliance: Ensure all operations strictly adhere to FSSC 22000 standards and local workplace safety regulations.

Qualifications

• Experience: 8–12 years in food manufacturing, with at least 3 years in a leadership role. Experience in fresh/perishable food categories is highly preferred.

• Skills: Expertise in PPC, inventory management, and ERP systems.

• Education: Degree in Food Technology, Industrial Engineering, or an MBA in Operations.

• The candidate will also be responsible for analyzing operational performance and recommending improvements to support business growth.