Manufacturing Technology and Innovation Manager

Job Description: Technology and Innovation Manager  

In this role, you will be responsible for leading and developing the areas of technology, innovation, and process improvement at the site. Acting as the central interface between operational units, central teams, and external partners. You will drive strategic and operational projects to sustainably enhance the competitiveness and productivity of the plant. You will ensure the successful implementation of Product innovations, Value saving projects and the continuous optimization of existing processes while building and developing your team of experts.  

Qualifications: Food Technology, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related fields.   

Experience: 3–5 years of experience in a food manufacturing or FMCG environment. 

Responsibilities:  

Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation  

• Lead and implement innovation projects, including technological transfers, process improvements, and product developments, in close collaboration with central teams (e.g., R&D, Engineering, Procurement). 
• Ensure the timely introduction of new processes and technologies, meeting Zero-Based Waste targets and expected efficiency standards. 
• Develop and implement strategies to improve operational excellence, including optimizing production capacity, OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), and reducing waste by keeping safety and quality at first. 
• Represent the plant in cross-functional projects to ensure seamless end-to-end project management. 
• Control and manage resources for T&I, ensuring efficient resource utilization. Including maintaining a factory capabilities passport. Ensuring T&I are owners of the technical capabilities of the site. 
• Coordinate information to plan and update an Innovation agenda for the factory for the year and ensure smooth internal communications to factory leadership team. 
• Report monthly progress, agenda achieved and planned, hours allocated from the team to highlight issues and future bottle necks. 
• Execute Flora ways of working project implementation standards. From kickoff, trial request and implementation until Post Launch Evaluations. Keeping and archive of project  reports after the activities and drive updating the specifications and standards as needed. 
• Participate as part of the core project team for new equipment commissioning. Understand incoming equipment, line capabilities to ensure the right design reaches the factory and to lead successful ramp-up and product validation to ensure a first time right successful implementation.

Team Leadership and Development  

• Lead highly skilled teams specializing in technology, innovation, and support the CI methodologies with practical implementation and data retrieval.
• Build technical expertise within the team and promote skills development to sustainably enhance plant performance. 
• Coordinate regularly with production, engineering, and other departments to ensure smooth project execution. 

Data Analysis and Process Optimization  

• Ensure the process information is available and updated for production lines from material handling till end of palletizers, like PFD, Key process parameters and scrap values. 
• Continuously analyze and evaluate process and operational performance data to identify losses and areas for improvement. 
• Create and lead process improvement agenda on KPI development (Technology Contribution Agenda). 
• Work with the engineering team in the early phase to identify required investment to get budget approval and to deliver continuous process improvement for the factory. 

Change Management and Communication  

• Lead change management initiatives, including training employees on new processes and technologies for the changes, implementation of T&I initiates. 
• Promote knowledge transfer within the plant through transparent communication and the implementation of sustainable learning methods. 
• Function as the interface to central and external stakeholders, ensuring smooth collaboration and implementation of new projects. 
• Troubleshoot production-related bottlenecks and develop solutions to prevent future issues. Participate in RCA's and provide technical input. 

Project Management and Cross-Plant Collaboration  

• Develop and implement efficient project management methods, including prioritizing and analyzing project risks. 
• Collaborate with other sites to identify and implement best practices and optimization opportunities. 
• Ensure seamless communication between the site and central teams to achieve strategic goals. 

Position Objective:  

As the Technology and Innovation Manager, you will create the foundation for sustainable success by implementing technological innovations and continuous process improvement to the factory whilst keeping core functions connected on progress and changes to come to the site.