Urgent Search: Operational Excellence Manager

Job Description

Dairy Day was started in 2002 by two veterans from the ice-cream industry, with a keen desire to chart their own course in a category they were deeply passionate about. Over the past 20 years, Dairy Day has grown to become a regional leader in the ice-cream category, with market leadership in Karnataka & with the brand ranked 3rd in Tamil Nadu. The brand boasts of strong presence on-ground across 70000+ retailers, and continues to grow rapidly at 25%+, with FY24 revenues at 680 Cr. Along the way, Dairy Day has attracted significant investor interest, with investments from Motilal Oswal in 2016 and a sizeable investment from Kedaara Capital in 2024.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

We are seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Operational excellence managerto lead the development and execution of long-term sourcing strategies, capacity projects, and savings initiatives. This role will drive collaboration with R&D, Procurement, and Marketing team to optimize material and non-material efficiencies while spearheading new product development efforts. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in technology-driven innovation and project execution, with a passion for transforming business capabilities.

Long-Term Sourcing Strategy- Design and implement future-focused sourcing strategies that enhance efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability in manufacturing as well as logistics space.

Capacity Expansion Projects- Lead capacity-building initiatives, identify value engineering opportunities, business case preparation and oversee execution from planning to completion.

Technology selection Evaluate the technology end to end for lowest life cycle cost and implement the same at manufacturing sites.

Material & Non-Material Savings Initiatives- Partner with R&D and Procurement to drive cost-saving projects, optimizing resource utilization while ensuring innovation.

New Product Development- Collaborate with R&D and Marketingto ideate, develop, and launch new products, ensuring alignment with market needs and technological advancements.

Cross-Functional Leadership- Work closely with internal teams, suppliers, and stakeholders to drive innovation, streamline processes, and enhance operational efficiencies.

Data-Driven Decision Making- Use analytics and market insights to continuously refine strategies, improve sourcing models, and drive competitive advantage.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

Bachelors Degree Bachelorsdegree inMechanical / Chemical / Electrical Engineering.

Masters Degree (Preferred) in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Operations Management

Professional

Experience: 10+ years of proven experience in driving operational excellence, streamlining operations, and leading planning initiatives

PREFERRED SKILLS

5 to 7 years of experience in innovation, technology leadership, and end-to-end project management.

Experience of setting up large greenfield or brownfield projects.

Strong data analytics and process mapping skills using MS office tools.

Deep understanding of manufacturing operations & Plant engineering preferably in ice cream or food processing environments.

Proven ability to lead strategic sourcing, capacity expansion, and cross-functional improvement projects.

Skilled in project and change management with a structured and results-driven approach.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving

Excellent communication, training, and stakeholder management skills across all organizational levels.

Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset to identify root causes and drive sustainable improvements.

Ability to thrive in fast-paced, innovation-driven settings with a continuous improvement mindset.

Collaboration and Influencing Skills

Change Agility

Results Orientation

Leadership and Coaching

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