Operations Manager at Cross Beverage Company Limited

Cross Beverage Company Limited - We are a Nigerian startup producing a portfolio of affordable, daily consumed drink products.Our products positions us to meet both everyday hydration needs and the demand for flavored, wholesome beverage in the Nigerian market.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Operations Manager

Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports To: Managing Director / CEO
Department: Operations (FMCG)

Description

• Cross Beverage Nigeria Limited is a fast-growing FMCG startup redefining the beverage landscape in Nigeria.
• We are lean, ambitious, and moving fast and we need an Operations Manager who thrives in exactly that kind of environment.
• This is not a desk role. You will be the operational backbone of the business: running inventory, coordinating supply chain, managing vendor relationships, overseeing production continuity, and ensuring that the right products reach the right place at the right time.
• You will work closely with the Managing Director and wear multiple hats because in a startup, that's how things get done.
• If you are the kind of person who spots a process gap before it becomes a crisis, builds systems from scratch, and leads teams with both authority and empathy, we want to hear from you.

What You Will Own
Supply Chain & Inventory Management:

• Own end-to-end inventory management — raw materials, WIP, and finished goods — ensuring zero stockouts and minimal overstock.
• Develop and maintain an inventory tracking system with real-time visibility into stock levels, reorder points, and consumption rates.
• Supervise goods-in and goods-out processes, verifying quantities, quality, and documentation accuracy at every stage.
• Coordinate closely with procurement to ensure timely sourcing of raw materials aligned with production schedules.
• Conduct regular stock counts, investigate variances, and maintain reconciliation records.
• Manage third-party logistics providers and delivery schedules to meet distribution targets.

Production & Factory Operations:

• Oversee daily factory operations to ensure consistent output, product quality, and on-time delivery to distributors and trade partners.
• Plan and communicate weekly and monthly production schedules aligned with sales forecasts and raw material availability.
• Monitor production machinery performance and coordinate preventive maintenance to minimize downtime.
• Enforce NAFDAC, SON, and internal quality control standards across all production lines.
• Identify and resolve production bottlenecks proactively — before they impact output or deadlines.
• Implement SOPs for all production and warehouse activities and ensure team compliance.

Vendor & Procurement Coordination:

• Maintain and grow a reliable vendor base for raw materials, packaging, and operational supplies.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms with suppliers to optimize cost without compromising quality.
• Track open purchase orders, resolve delivery delays, and flag supply risks early to management.
• Evaluate vendor performance regularly and recommend changes where needed.

Team Leadership & People Management:

• Directly supervise warehouse, production, and dispatch teams — setting clear expectations, daily priorities, and accountability structures.
• Train new team members on inventory protocols, safety procedures, and quality standards.
• Conduct performance reviews and identify capacity gaps; recommend hiring or upskilling as the business scales.
• Foster a culture of ownership, urgency, and continuous improvement across all operational teams.

Reporting, Data & Continuous Improvement:

• Prepare and submit daily, weekly, and monthly operations reports covering inventory levels, production output, losses, and KPIs.
• Use data to identify operational inefficiencies and present actionable recommendations to the MD.
• Track cost-per-unit trends and implement strategies to reduce waste and operational expenses.
• Lead post-mortem reviews after any supply disruption, production incident, or quality deviation.

What You Bring
Qualifications:

• OND / HND / B.Sc Degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or equivalent tools for inventory and operations tracking.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, weekends, and on-site at the production facility as required.

Experience & Background:

• 2 - 5 years of hands-on operations or supply chain experience in an FMCG, manufacturing, or fast-paced production environment.
• Proven track record managing inventory, coordinating logistics, and supervising production or warehouse teams.
• Experience working in a startup or resource-constrained environment is a strong advantage you know how to build systems with limited tools.
• Familiarity with NAFDAC regulations, beverage or food manufacturing standards, and basic lab/QC processes is a plus.

Skills & Competencies:

• Inventory Management: Strong proficiency in stock tracking, reconciliation, and reorder management — manual or system-based
• Process Thinking: Ability to design, document, and enforce SOPs and operational workflows.
• Analytical Mindset: Comfortable working with data you track numbers, spot trends, and act on them.
• Leadership: You can hold a team accountable without micromanaging, and motivate people to do their best work
• Communication: Clear written and verbal communication for daily reporting, vendor negotiations, and cross-functional coordination.
• Adaptability: Startup environments change fast. You stay calm, prioritize well, and adjust without losing momentum.

Salary
Competitive / Commensurate with experience (Salary: N80,000 - N100,000 monthly).

Why You Join:

• We are not just building a beverage brand — we are building a business that runs like a machine.
• As an early member of the operations team, you will have real influence over how we scale.
• Your systems will outlast your tenure. Your decisions will move units.
• You will learn faster here in 12 months than you would in 3 years at a larger company — because here, your work is visible, your voice matters, and the results are undeniable.

Application Closing Date
10th June, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and a brief cover note (why this role, why now) to: humanresources@crossbeverage.com using "Operations Manager Application – [Your Name]" as the subject of the mail.