Sumos (M) Hiring! Full Time PRODUCTION MANAGER in WP Kuala Lumpur - Ricebowl

The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the overall production operations to ensure that production activities are carried out efficiently, safely, consistently and according to the company's quality and food safety requirements.

The role requires strong leadership, critical thinking and decision-making skills to manage production planning, manpower, productivity, inventory, equipment, audits, reporting and operational issues. The Production Manager is expected to take ownership of production performance, identify problems proactively and implement effective solutions to ensure smooth and uninterrupted production operations.

Key Responsibilities1. Production Planning & Operations

• Plan, organise and oversee daily and weekly production activities according to production schedules, customer requirements and available resources.

• Ensure production targets, output and deadlines are achieved efficiently.

• Monitor production processes and workflow to ensure smooth and continuous operations.

• Coordinate manpower, machinery, materials and production resources to meet production requirements.

• Identify potential production bottlenecks and take timely corrective action.

• Monitor machine downtime, production delays, wastage and other operational issues.

• Ensure production activities are carried out according to approved procedures, work instructions and company standards.

• Review production processes and recommend improvements to increase productivity, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

2. Leadership & Manpower Management

• Lead, supervise and manage the Production team effectively.

• Allocate manpower and responsibilities according to production requirements and employee capabilities.

• Set clear expectations, work standards and performance targets for production staff.

• Monitor employee attendance, discipline, productivity and work performance.

• Provide coaching, guidance and training to production employees where necessary.

• Address performance, discipline and operational issues promptly and professionally.

• Foster teamwork, accountability and a positive working environment within the Production team.

• Ensure adequate manpower planning and arrange appropriate coverage to minimise disruption to production.

3. Stock & Inventory Management

• Monitor raw materials, packaging materials and finished goods to ensure sufficient stock availability for production requirements.

• Coordinate and oversee regular stock take and inventory checking.

• Ensure physical stock quantities are properly recorded and reconciled with system or production records.

• Investigate stock discrepancies, wastage, damaged goods and abnormal variances.

• Work closely with Warehouse, Purchasing and other relevant departments to ensure timely availability of production materials.

• Monitor material usage and minimise unnecessary wastage and production losses.

4. Food Safety, Quality & Audit

• Ensure production operations comply with applicable food safety, hygiene, quality and company requirements.

• Ensure production areas, equipment and employees maintain the required standards of cleanliness, hygiene and food handling practices.

• Prepare and maintain production-related documents and records required for internal and external audits.

• Coordinate and support internal, customer, regulatory and certification audits.

• Ensure audit findings, non-conformities and corrective actions are properly addressed within the required timeframe.

• Work closely with QA/QC to investigate quality issues, customer complaints and production-related non-conformities.

• Ensure corrective and preventive actions are implemented effectively to prevent recurrence.

• Maintain proper traceability and production records where applicable.

5. Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare and submit daily, weekly and monthly production reports to Management.

• Monitor and report production output, productivity, wastage, downtime, manpower utilisation and other relevant KPIs.

• Ensure production records and documentation are accurate, complete and updated on time.

• Analyse production data and identify trends, recurring issues and areas requiring improvement.

• Provide Management with timely updates on production status, operational issues, risks and corrective actions.

• Escalate significant production, manpower, quality, safety or equipment issues to Management promptly.

6. Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

• Proactively identify operational problems before they affect production continuity.

• Analyse the root cause of production problems rather than relying solely on temporary solutions.

• Evaluate available options and make practical, timely and sound decisions.

• Take immediate and appropriate action during machine breakdowns, manpower shortages, material shortages, quality issues or production delays.

• Coordinate with Maintenance, QA/QC, Warehouse, Purchasing and other departments to resolve cross-functional operational issues.

• Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions to minimise recurring problems.

• Continuously identify opportunities to improve production efficiency, quality, productivity and cost control.

7. Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and monitor production KPIs and performance targets.

• Review team and individual performance and take appropriate action where performance does not meet expectations.

• Identify opportunities to improve production methods, workflow, manpower utilisation and resource efficiency.

• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to reduce wastage, downtime, errors and unnecessary costs.

• Ensure production standards are consistently maintained and improved.

8. Safety, Discipline & Compliance

• Ensure all Production employees follow company rules, safety procedures and operational requirements.

• Promote a safe working environment and immediately address unsafe practices or conditions.

• Ensure employees use machinery and equipment properly and safely.

• Report and escalate accidents, incidents, equipment damage or other safety concerns to Management.

• Maintain discipline and professionalism within the Production team.

• Take appropriate action when employees fail to comply with established procedures or work standards.

9. Communication & Cross-Department Coordination

• Work closely with Management and other departments to ensure production requirements are properly coordinated.

• Communicate production priorities, targets, changes and operational requirements clearly to the Production team.

• Maintain effective communication with QA/QC, Warehouse, Purchasing, Maintenance, Sales and other relevant departments.

• Ensure important operational information is communicated promptly and accurately.

10.Customer Complaint & Quality Issues

• Receive, review and respond to customer complaints related to product quality, production issues, defects, packaging, quantity or other production-related matters.

• Investigate customer complaints promptly and determine the root cause of the issue.

• Coordinate with QA/QC, Production, Warehouse, Maintenance and other relevant departments to gather the necessary information and resolve customer complaints.

• Provide timely and professional responses to customers regarding complaints and corrective actions.

• Ensure appropriate corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) are implemented to prevent recurrence of customer complaints.

• Monitor recurring complaints and identify trends or weaknesses in the production process requiring improvement.

• Escalate serious, repeated or high-risk customer complaints to Management and relevant departments.

• Maintain proper records of customer complaints, investigation findings, corrective actions and follow-up status.

• Ensure customer complaints are followed through until the issue is properly resolved and closed.

Leadership & Personal Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and people management skills.

• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Strong decision-making skills and the ability to take ownership of operational matters.

• Ability to remain calm, professional and focused when working under pressure.

• Good temper management and emotional control, especially when dealing with urgent operational issues or employee-related matters.

• Ability to handle multiple priorities and make decisions within tight deadlines.

• Strong sense of accountability, responsibility and initiative.

• Ability to identify problems proactively rather than waiting for Management's instructions.

• Good communication, coordination and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to motivate, coach and manage employees from different backgrounds and levels of experience.

• Strong organisational and time management skills.

• Practical, hands-on and results-oriented approach.

Requirements

• Diploma/Degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Manufacturing, Production Management, Engineering, Business Management or a related field.

• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in production or manufacturing, preferably within the food industry.

• Experience in managing production teams and daily manufacturing operations.

• Experience in food safety, quality management and audit preparation will be an advantage.

• Familiarity with production planning, inventory control, stock take and production reporting.

• Strong knowledge of workplace safety, hygiene and food handling practices.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and production-related documentation/reporting.

• Able to work under pressure and manage multiple operational priorities.

• Willing to work beyond normal hours when required to resolve urgent production matters.

• Strong leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities.

Preferred Experience / Added Advantage

Candidates with the following experience and qualifications will be given preference:

• Previous experience working in the food manufacturing or food production industry.

• Experience working in a food manufacturing environment with HACCP, FSSC 22000, GMP, ISO 22000, Halal or other relevant food safety and quality management systems.

• Familiarity with food safety management systems (FSMS) and food safety requirements.

• Experience in preparing for and participating in internal and external audits, including customer, certification and regulatory audits.

• Experience in handling audit findings, non-conformities, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

• Familiarity with food safety documentation, production records, traceability, hygiene requirements and relevant standard operating procedures.

• Experience working closely with QA/QC on food safety, quality issues, customer complaints and corrective actions.

• Candidates with experience managing production operations in a HACCP / FSSC 22000 certified food manufacturing environment will be highly preferred.

• Relevant training or certification in HACCP, GMP, FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, Food Safety, Halal or other related areas will be an added advantage.