Plant Manager

Location: Baghdad, Iraq – Abu Ghraib Industry: Food Manufacturing / FMCG (Potato processing) Function: Factory Operations & Management Educational Requirements:• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following: o Food Science / Food Technology o Industrial or Mechanical Engineering o Agricultural Engineering (relevant to potato processing) • Preferred: MBA or postgraduate diploma in Operations/Industrial Management Professional Experience:• 10+ years of experience in food manufacturing or FMCG, with at least: o 5 years in a senior leadership/operations role o 5–7 years specifically in snack food or potato chips production • Start-up experience: Strongly preferred experience in setting up a new plant or production line from scratch • Middle East or developing market experience is advantageous, especially with knowledge of local supply chain dynamics and labour management Technical Knowledge:• Deep familiarity with: o Potato washing, slicing, frying, and flavouring machines o Packaging machinery (vertical form-fill-seal, nitrogen flushing, etc.) o Production line automation (SCADA, PLCs) • Knowledge of raw material handling, oil management, and seasoning control • Understanding of potato varieties suitable for chips production and storage Quality & Compliance:• Expertise in: o Food safety systems: HACCP, ISO 22000, GMP o Iraq’s food safety and regulatory standards (e.g., Iraqi Ministry of Health & Environment) • Experience managing audits, traceability, and product recalls Operations & Leadership:• Ability to: o Set up SOPs and production workflows o Hire, train, and lead factory staff o Manage procurement, local vendor relationships, and logistics o Control costs and improve efficiency (Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, etc.) Soft Skills:• Strong leadership and communication, especially for building and motivating a local team • Fluency in Arabic required; English proficiency strongly preferred • Capable of working under pressure and solving operational issues quickly • Culturally aware and capable of navigating the Iraqi business landscape Additional Experience:• Involvement in factory construction, layout design, and equipment installation • Relationships with regional suppliers (potatoes, packaging materials, flavouring agents) • Knowledge of environmental standards and waste management