Plant Operations Officer

The Plant Operations Officer will assist the Plant Manager with managing the manufacturing and machinery maintenance issues of its factory such as production output, plant maintenance, building maintenance, machinery monitoring, budget preparation and control, and engineering project management.

Tortuga Rum Cake Jamaica Limited is seeking to hire a Plant Operations Officer with a strong engineering background and excellent interpersonal skills. Tortuga is a manufacturing company that is a subsidiary of Jamaica Producers Group. The company produces specialty food items such as spirit cakes and confectionery. The Plant Operations Officer will assist the Plant Manager with managing the manufacturing and machinery maintenance issues of its factory such as production output, plant maintenance, building maintenance, machinery monitoring, budget preparation and control, and engineering project management.

Manufacturing expectations:

• Collaborate with the Plant Manager to achieve performance targets, Production, and safety standards and ensure achievement of manufacturing goals
• Provide guidance to the manufacturing processing plan; including personnel requirements, material needs, and facility needs
• Collaborate with Plant manager to coordinate manufacturing activities with all other functions of the organization to obtain optimum production and utilization of human resources, machines and equipment
• Assist with capital project planning and execution
• Interpret safety policies/practices to employees including enforcing safe work practices
• Assure that organizational production objectives are met
• Collaborate with Plant manager to coordinate regular meetings with plant staff to ensure all operational issues are being communicated and addressed expediently with a common understanding of goals
• Accomplish the goals of the Authorized Economic Exporter programme in accordance with the requirements of the JCA AEO programme and the World Customs Organization’s AEO guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) standards and regulations

Plant maintenance:

• Assist with developing preventative maintenance programmes and systems implementation for minimizing machinery downtime
• Assist with Ensuring there is efficient and effective operation of the planned maintenance function
• Assist Plant Manager to ensure there is functional authority for planning, organization, control, and completion of engineering projects
• Assist with managing facility maintenance, machine shop, machinery service staff including contractors, machinery operators & technicians
• Monitor the response time for servicing and PM compliance on all facilities and equipment.
• Collaborate with Plant manager to ensure preventive and predictive maintenance programmes are developed, established and functioning efficiently to support operational requirements
• Contribute to directing the planning, development and implementation of new methods and procedure changes designed to improve operations, minimize operating costs, and effect greater utilization of labour and equipment
• Assists with reviewing and analysing production, quality control, maintenance and operational reports to determine causes of nonconformity with product specifications and operating or production problems
• Collaborate with Plant manager to ensuring there is a robust system in place to resolve facility issues across a continuous (24/7) operation

Required qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years’ experience in production management
• 2+ years in food manufacturing a plus
• Previous experience in the design and implementation of preventive maintenance programmes and management of capital projects - a plus
• Working knowledge of managing industrial safety programmes
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize workload, work independently or in a team setting
• Good leadership, mathematical, computer, and analytical skills
• Must be willing to work overtime and weekends as needed
• Must be able to demonstrate good proficiency in the English language to ensure effective new hire training and ongoing communications about safety and quality issues

• Knowledge of Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) policies and procedures - a plus

Other Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Familiarity with Computerized Maintenance Management Software
• Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task
• Excellent problem-solving and analysis skills
• Good technical learning ability
• Ability to manage through systems
• Exceptional interpersonal and oral/written communication skills
• Good presentation, reporting, and analysis proficiency
• Good organizational skills
• Valid driver’s license (preferably for heavy vehicles) and access to transportation