General Manager - Engineering and Projects at Olam Agri

Olam Agri is a market-leading, differentiated food, feed, and fiber agri-business with a global origination footprint, processing capabilities, and deep understanding of market needs built over 33 years. With a strong presence in high-growth emerging markets and products across grains & oilseeds, animal feed & protein, rice, edible oils, specialty grains & seeds, cotton, wood products, rubber and commodity financial services.

Olam Agri is at the heart of global food and agri-trade flows with more than 40 million MT in volume traded annually. Focused on transforming food, feed and fiber for a more sustainable future, it aims at creating value for customers, enabling farming communities to prosper sustainably, and strive for a food-secure future.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: General Manager - Engineering and Projects

Location: Tin-Can, Lagos
Function: MATS
Sub-Function:  Plant Operation

Product Information
Grains:

• Grains is one of the 6 prioritized platforms in Olam The Grains business consists of 4 verticals: Wheat Milling (in sub-Saharan Africa), Origination & Trading (Origination in the Black Sea and Latin America, Destination in the Middle East & North Africa, Prop trading in Wheat/Corn/Soy), Animal Feeds & Proteins (starting in Nigeria, but plan to expand to 4-5 countries in Africa, Asia & MENA by 2020) and Ocean Freight (vessel charter, Prop trading). 
• Our manufacturing facilities in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Senegal helping these countries to reduce import costs of refined wheat.
• With an unrelenting focus on food safety, innovation and cost efficiencies, we produce a range of quality flours for bread, baguettes, pasta noodles, biscuits, semolina, and confectionery.

Job Description

• Must have led the engineering function for a multi‑site operation (minimum 3 plants) or a large single-site complex.
• Develop and apply comprehensive maintenance best practices for a large wheat milling operation exceeding 1500 MTD across multiple facilities; having expertise in pasta assets is an additional benefit.
• Demonstrated capability in project management, including execution of Brown field & Green field projects.
• Ensure smooth and efficient utilities operations across all plants.
• Oversee R&M budget preparation and control.
• Drive cost efficiency improvement initiatives, including:
  • OEE enhancement
  • Power/steam utility cost reduction
  • Maintenance optimisation programs
• Extensive and demonstrated expertise in spare management within Wheat Milling Engineering.
• Extensive hands-on exposure to Buhler, Ugur & Alapala mills.
• Deep understanding of end‑to‑end flour milling operations, including process optimisation.
• Strong expertise in reliability engineering.
• Experience in capex planning, budgeting, and driving cost control initiatives.
• Proven ability to lead engineering teams, drive performance, and ensure operational excellence.

Key Deliverables

• Lead large Maintenance team
  • 14+ direct employees
  • 90+ indirect personnel
• Manage Spares Inventory & control for an efficient operation.
• Design and implement an efficient manning structure for the Engineering function across sites.
• Manage Business continuity & EBITIDA capex < 1.5% of Gross Book Value (GBV).
• Responsible for Repair & Maintenance spends as per budget plan.

Level / Reporting Team:

• Reports directly to VP-Engineering & MATS head.
• Core Functions as the GM - Engineering Manager for the TCA plant.
• Receives direct reports from Engineering leads & team at plants.

Key Performance Highlights:

• Effective Maintenance strategy for the Plants and operations within the BU
• Capex and Opex budgeting and implementation adherence
• Lead design, planning and implementation of expansion projects within timeframe, and cost
• Lead cost saving ideation and initiative implementation to deliver cost efficient maintenance programs.

Strength and Leadership competency:

• Coordinates multiple teams to deliver key business priorities.
• Manages internal and external stakeholders effectively.
• Brings strong technical expertise in wheat milling and pasta operations
• Communicates and collaborates cross‑functionally to drive results.
• Leads complex projects and ensures smooth post‑project integration.

Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical engineering, QEHS, HACCP related certification.
• Relevant certifications for current practices in plant management/maintenance 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work with a diverse workforce.
• 15+ years of experience in handling maintenance, utilities and projects in several jobs as mechanical/electrical engineer and project-related management.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online