Job Title: Operations Head – Food Manufacturing (FMCG / Private Label)

Location: Adichanallur, Kollam, Kerala

Company: Spice Basket / Jaffars Natural Food

Industry: FMCG / Food Manufacturing – dry fruits, spices, masalas, snacks

Reports to: Founder

About us

We run two businesses from our Kollam factories: private-label supply of dry fruits and spices to leading modern-retail chains such as Lulu Hypermarket and Reliance Retail, and our own brand Spice Basket (website, e-commerce, quick-commerce and supermarkets). Orders are growing fast. We need a strong Operations Head who will own the entire operation end-to-end so that every order is delivered on time, every time.

What this role really is

This is an ownership role, not a coordination role. You will run the factory, warehouse and dispatch operation independently, build and lead the team, and be fully accountable for on-time, in-full delivery. The founder should not need to follow up on daily operations.

Key Responsibilities

Own on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery for all private-label and Spice Basket orders.

Plan ahead: track every customer PO and forecast demand from past orders; set and maintain buffer stock for fast-moving SKUs so products are packed BEFORE POs arrive.

Run a daily planning meeting with Production, Stores, Quality, Packing and Dispatch – pending POs, today's packing, tomorrow's dispatch, stock below buffer, risks and owners.

Own inventory accuracy for raw material, packing material and finished goods; ensure stock is checked, recorded and planned daily – never "after the PO comes".

Plan production and packing schedules and manpower so work finishes within working hours.

Own logistics and fleet: vehicle planning, driver management, and compliance – fitness certificate, insurance, permits, PUC,



servicing – tracked in advance so no vehicle is ever off-road unexpectedly.

Enforce discipline: FIFO / FEFO, room-wise and rack-wise storage, labelling, hygiene, housekeeping and food-safety standards.

Lead, train and hold accountable the Store Manager, Warehouse & Dispatch Manager, Production, Quality, Packing and logistics teams. Build a culture of ownership.

Set clear responsibilities, SOPs and daily/weekly KPIs (OTIF %, stock accuracy, buffer compliance, overtime) and report them to the founder.

Solve problems and escalate only what truly needs the founder's decision.

Support scaling – new customers, new SKUs, new capacity – without delays.

Candidate Profile

8–15 years in operations / plant / supply chain in FMCG or food manufacturing, with at least 3–5 years leading a full operation or plant.

Proven experience supplying contemporary retail / private label (Lulu, Reliance, DMart, More, Spencer's, etc.) with PO-based delivery and OTIF targets.

Strong in production planning, inventory control, buffer planning, warehousing and dispatch.

Experience managing logistics and a vehicle fleet / drivers.

A true team leader: hands-on, on the shop floor, takes responsibility, builds and develops people.

Good with Excel / ERP and data-driven reporting.

Knowledge of FSSAI, food safety and hygiene practices.

Malayalam and English required; Hindi / Tamil a plus.

Based in or willing to relocate to Kollam.

What we offer

Salary: Rs 50,000 – 1,00,000 per month, based on experience – we will pay well for the right person.

Full authority to build and run the operations team.

A growing company with strong customers and real scope to grow with us.

Employment Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person, Adichanallur, Kollam

Pay: ₹50,000.00 - ₹100,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person

📌 Operations Head (Kerala)
🏢 JAFFARS NATURAL FOOD
📍 Kerala