Head of Production – Manufacturing Operations Leader

About the role

The Head of Production leads and optimises all manufacturing operations, covering primary tobacco processing and secondary cigarette production and packing. This senior role ensures efficiency, product quality, regulatory compliance and cost control across the plant.

Key responsibilities

• Define and implement production strategy aligned with business forecasts and develop short‑, medium‑ and long‑term production plans.
• Oversee end‑to‑end manufacturing processes, including leaf handling, blending, conditioning, cigarette making, packing and labeling.
• Drive operational efficiency, minimise downtime and improve throughput while maintaining high product quality.
• Ensure compliance with global quality standards and manage the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Maintain compliance with Cameroon tobacco regulations, excise duties and bonded‑warehouse rules.
• Control production costs, improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and optimise material yields.
• Lead preventive and corrective maintenance programmes and coordinate new equipment installation.
• Enforce health, safety and environmental standards and promote a strong safety culture.
• Lead and develop production staff, set performance targets and manage workforce planning.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical) or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of tobacco manufacturing processes, production planning and capacity management.
• Understanding of industrial engineering principles, performance metrics and maintenance reliability.

Required skills

• Tobacco manufacturing processes
• Production planning
• Capacity management
• Industrial engineering
• Maintenance management
• Quality Management Systems (QMS)
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)