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.