Chief Operating Officer

General Purpose:

Directs and oversees the overall Operation, Maintenance, and technical support of OFM production assets; under the general direction of the CEO, the COO ensures sustainable value generation for the company by delegating authority to OFM CEOs as the owners of the production assets (Flour and Feed Mills), technical standards (Engineering, Maintenance, QAQC), and ultimate authority for technical service providers, safety district owners, permits of work, and operational licenses. Performing in a matrix organization that encompasses the vertical line to deliver expected outcomes based on implementing business strategies, policies, plans, procedures, operation, development & maintenance of its assets, and Project control of KPIs while keeping its license to operate, acting as a prudent operator on behalf of OFM. Ensuring day-to-day operations with efficient results in safety, production, plant integrity & process safety, availability, utilization, energy consumption, cost, emergency response, and quality of products in line with the short business plans & long-term strategy/objectives for the gross margin and profitability of the company with competitive performance (Operational Excellence) continuous improvement, and a sufficient organizational capability for its operational continuity and long-term sustainability.

Main Accountabilities:

Strategic:

• Establish the short- and long-term strategy for Oman Flour Mills assets and translate it into operating plans with objectives and performance indicators for the measurement of success to support the achievement of the OFM strategic objectives.
• Lead and direct multiple teams of professionals to develop an operating plan for the Operations, Maintenance, and Technical value chain for OFM assets, production storage, and handling, setting production targets and an OPEX budget based on the Company’s business plan, upon liaising with relevant Functions (e.g., Finance, Commercial / Sales) to achieve the OFM’s objectives (production and gross margin targets).
• Monitor KPIs (operational and financial), assess performance and risk, and work with relevant Services (e.g. Operational Excellence) to design and implement measures to mitigate risks and improve efficiency and safety.
• Work with Engineers to improve asset integrity to ensure sustainable value generation from the OFM assets, making business cases for CAPEX where relevant.
• Provide timely and accurate inputs for the development of management reports to support the CEO, the BOD and the Stakeholders' decisions
• Develop and implement an asset reporting framework in line with applicable laws and regulations.
• Ensure OFM assets are operated in accordance with required policy and standards and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and business needs in an effective and timely manner.
• Represent the Company concerning key stakeholders (employees, local communities, and governmental authorities).
• Lead and manage the Local Oman staff, including workforce planning (hiring and deployment within the function), performance management, and development of direct reports to maximize their potential and engagement.
• Approves budgets for the operation areas of the company.
• Targets and initiates operational partnerships with other companies.
• Generates new business and approves new projects.
• Responsible for day-to-day operations.
• Identifies risks and ensures appropriate strategies are in place.
• Ensures the correct practices are being met
• Attends board meetings and other presentations as per the CEO’s request, reporting progress against the OFM business plans, opportunities, challenges, and issues faced; mitigations are taken and course correction actions, etc., as required, to make an informed decision.
• Establish, in close partnership with the CEO, metrics to manage key elements of the company’s operational performance required to meet both customer and financial expectations.
• Develop, establish, and direct execution of operating policies and procedures to support overall company policies and objectives and ensure that the company’s policies and procedures are implemented and followed by all personnel, changing or adding to such policies and procedures as required.
• Establish and monitor performance reporting systems (i.e., track production performance against goals, ensure that site managers provide quality regular reports and provide regular updates to the CEO)
• Regularly evaluate operating procedures and create centralized best practices within different production lines to ensure uniform performance throughout the manufacturing processing facilities.
• Take charge in high-priority crises.

As the ultimate owner of the assets:

• Ensure total Production Asset Integrity.
• Ensure total Production Process Safety.
• Custodian of the license to Operate.
• Oversee the 10-year Asset Master Plan to meet regulatory requirements and business needs on a timely basis.
• Oversee the Production and Product quality as per Sales and Supply Chain plans and incremental gross margin optimization (unit operations, Flour Mills and Feed Mills, utility consumption/optimization).
• Overseas effective cost control and drive towards competitive unit cost and accountability for costs such as maintenance, HSSE, QAQC, and production.

As the ultimate Technical Service provider:

Overseas and ensures the delivery of effective (quality) and efficient (cost) services to Company assets, their owners, and users to meet their strategic and operational objectives.

• Maintenance : Overseas the delivery of routine and non-routine maintenance in accordance with the technical standards to deliver the required Reliability at a competitive cost. Development of Asset Management Plans and Maintenance strategy with routine maintenance, programmed maintenance, and long-term extraordinary maintenance to keep availability and functionality as per requirements. Process turnaround and associated tools/systems. Together with Procurement, optimize material Inventory Value (spares and stock) and Reliability.
• Engineering: Overseas the delivery of all technical services to support operations (mechanical, electrical, and civil). Custodian of the Design and Engineering practices and Process Licenses. Verification of the specifications for process materials & utilities for Operations. Process owner of Safeguarding Instrumented Systems, PMO & Processes, Asset Integrity, and associated tools/systems (SAP - Projects). Oversees and ensures the delivery of effective (quality) and efficient (cost) engineering services to Asset Owners to meet their operational objectives.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical / Chemical, process, food science).
• Postgraduate degree in Engineering management or Planning (preferred).

Experience

• The position requires 15+ years of experience, with at least 10 years in Flour and/or Feed mills.
• 5+ years in a senior management role (managing multiple teams).
• 5+ years managing multidisciplinary teams in operations.
• Manufacturing/operations management experience.

Know-How

• Knowledge of Production process operations, business, financial, budgets, stewardship, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge in the area of HSE and committed to ownership of environmental, health, and safety areas relating to process operations.
• Knowledge of Interrelationships of various manufacturing services, distribution, marketing, and technical support functions.
• Knowledge of Strategy Development, Business Planning and Finance.
• Knowledge of Project Management.
• Knowledge of Maintenance routine and non-routine standards and engineering areas (Electrical, mechanical, Static, Instrument, and Turnaround).
• Knowledge in HAZOP, technical courses, and stress analysis.
• Technical understanding of the food manufacturing industry.
• Understanding of the food manufacturing industry and business financial aspects.