Production Manager - Snus Manufacturing & Packaging

JOB DESCRIPTION: Position: Production Manager – Snus Manufacturing & Packaging Job Purpose: The Production Manager – Snus Manufacturing & Packaging will be responsible for the end-to-end management of snus manufacturing and packaging operations, including machinery selection, technical evaluation, installation, commissioning, production ramp-up, and ongoing operational performance.

The role will ensure that equipment and production lines achieve the required capacity, efficiency, quality, reliability, and productivity targets while driving continuous improvement. Key Roles & Responsibilities: Machinery Selection, Evaluation & Procurement: Coordinate the selection of suitable snus manufacturing and packaging machinery based on required capacity, product specifications, and operational requirements.

Obtain and technically evaluate machinery quotations, technical proposals, and supplier submissions. Compare equipment based on capacity, efficiency, automation, reliability, utilities, maintenance requirements, and operating costs. Coordinate with management and suppliers for final machinery selection and technical negotiations.

Coordinate and participate in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), where applicable. Installation, Integration & Commissioning: Coordinate machinery delivery, installation, positioning, and integration at the plant. Coordinate requirements for electrical power, compressed air, HVAC, utilities, and other plant services. Ensure machinery is installed according to manufacturer specifications and approved plant layouts.

Coordinate mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, automation, and control-system connections. Coordinate machinery commissioning and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT). Organize and supervise dry runs, trial runs, and initial production trials. Coordinate with machinery suppliers to resolve installation, commissioning, and performance-related issues.

Ensure machinery achieves agreed capacity, speed, efficiency, reliability, and quality requirements. Production Operations & Performance: Supervise day-to-day snus manufacturing and packaging operations. Ensure production is carried out according to the approved production plan, operating procedures, and required standards.

Monitor production output against planned targets and take corrective action where required. Monitor machine efficiency, OEE, downtime, breakdowns, waste, and production losses. Identify production bottlenecks and implement corrective and improvement measures. Monitor and optimize manufacturing and packaging processes, including changeovers, machine settings, and operating parameters.

Monitor raw-material utilization, product yield, packaging-material consumption, and production waste. Monitor and improve production productivity, machine utilization, and overall line performance. Maintenance, Quality & Process Improvement: Coordinate with Maintenance on preventive maintenance, breakdown resolution, and machine reliability.

Coordinate with Quality to address product-quality, process, and packaging issues. Support identification and resolution of recurring equipment and process problems. Coordinate with suppliers regarding warranty issues, technical support, spare parts, and machine modifications. Ensure availability of critical machine spare parts, components, and consumables.

Drive initiatives to reduce downtime, waste, production losses, and operating inefficiencies. Procedures, Training & Operational Standards: Coordinate operator training with machinery suppliers and ensure adequate operator competency. Develop and maintain machine operating, cleaning, changeover, and basic troubleshooting procedures with relevant teams.

Ensure operators follow approved procedures and equipment operating requirements. Support the standardization and continuous improvement of manufacturing and packaging processes. Cross-Functional & Supplier Coordination: Coordinate with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Warehouse, and machinery suppliers to ensure smooth plant operations.

Maintain effective communication with equipment suppliers throughout installation, commissioning, production ramp-up, warranty, and post-installation support. Follow up on outstanding technical issues, supplier commitments, machine modifications, and spare-parts requirements. Ensure timely resolution of operational, technical, and equipment-related issues.

Reporting & Management Information: Provide regular management reports covering production output, machine performance, OEE, downtime, breakdowns, waste, quality, and outstanding technical issues. Monitor key production and equipment-performance indicators and highlight deviations against agreed targets. Provide recommendations and action plans to improve productivity, efficiency, reliability, and production performance.

Commercial Production & Continuous Improvement: Lead the transition from machinery installation and commissioning to stable commercial production. Ensure production lines achieve the required capacity, speed, efficiency, quality, and reliability during ramp-up. Continuously identify and implement opportunities to improve production productivity, machine utilization, process efficiency, and overall line performance.

Drive continuous improvement initiatives to achieve sustainable and reliable manufacturing and packaging operations. Key Performance Areas: Production output versus plan. Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). Machine availability, utilization, and reliability. Downtime and breakdown performance. Production efficiency and line performance.

Product yield and material utilization. Packaging-material consumption. Waste and production losses. Changeover performance. Product and packaging quality. Machinery commissioning and ramp-up performance. Achievement of stable commercial production. Continuous improvement and productivity initiatives. Key Interfaces: Internal: Production | Maintenance | Engineering | Quality | Warehouse | Management External: Machinery Manufacturers | Equipment Suppliers | Technical Service Providers | Contractors Qualifications & Experience: Degree/Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.

Proven experience in production management, manufacturing, and packaging operations. Experience in machinery selection, technical evaluation, installation, commissioning, FAT, SAT, and production ramp-up. Strong knowledge of manufacturing and packaging machinery, OEE, production efficiency, downtime management, and continuous improvement.

Experience coordinating with machinery suppliers and multidisciplinary technical teams. Strong problem-solving, technical, analytical, and leadership skills. Experience in snus, nicotine/oral-pouch, tobacco, FMCG, or a similar high-speed manufacturing environment will be an advantage.