Plant Manager – Flexible Packaging Conversion

Accra, Ghana

Sintex Packaging Products Ghana

A fast-growing, flexible-packaging manufacturer in Accra serving the West African market. Our plant operates 24/7 and is equipped with 8-colour rotogravure printing presses, solvent-based & solvent-less laminators (duplex, triplex, 4-ply), PVC gluing lines, and high-speed turret slitters.

Position Summary

The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and profitability of the manufacturing facility. This role has full accountability for safety, production, quality, engineering, maintenance, supply chain, warehousing, inventory, cost control, people development, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement. The Plant Manager will lead all manufacturing operations across multiple rotogravure printing presses, solvent and solvent-less lamination lines, slitting, pouch-making, shrink-sleeve production, and warehouse operations, while ensuring world-class manufacturing standards and sustainable business growth.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for the entire manufacturing facility.
• Develop and execute annual plant business plans aligned with company strategy.
• Drive a high-performance culture focused on accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Build and develop future leaders through succession planning and coaching.
• Ensure safe, efficient, and profitable operation of all production departments.
• Lead Operations Manager, Maintenance Manager, Quality Manager, Warehouse Manager, Engineering team, Planning, and HSE.
• Ensure production schedules meet customer delivery requirements while maximizing capacity utilization.
• Optimize utilization of multiple rotogravure printing presses and downstream converting equipment.
• Drive Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) improvements across all departments.
• Reduce downtime through preventive and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Lead daily production review meetings and weekly performance reviews.
• Own plant P&L performance.
• Prepare and manage annual operating budgets.
• Control manufacturing costs, including: film, ink, adhesives, solvents, utilities, labour, spare parts.
• Identify and execute cost reduction projects without compromising quality.
• Monitor manufacturing variances and implement corrective actions.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing throughout the plant.
• Lead Kaizen, Six Sigma, SMED, TPM, 5S, and Root Cause Analysis initiatives.
• Establish KPI dashboards and ensure accountability at every level.
• Develop long-term equipment reliability strategy.
• Approve major repairs and engineering modifications.
• Lead CAPEX planning for new machinery, automation, and plant expansion.
• Evaluate new technology and manufacturing equipment.
• Drive a "Right First Time" manufacturing culture.
• Reduce internal waste and customer complaints.
• Review corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead customer and certification audits.
• Establish and maintain a zero-harm culture.
• Ensure compliance with: Ghana EPA, Ghana FDA, Factories, Offices and Shops Act, and Fire safety regulations.
• Lead environmental sustainability initiatives.
• Oversee production planning and inventory management.
• Support key customer visits and technical discussions.
• Participate in new product development.
• Work closely with the sales team to improve service levels.

Directly supervise:

• Operations Manager
• Maintenance Manager
• Quality Manager
• Warehouse Manager
• HSE Officer
• Machine operators

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, or Printing/Packaging) preferred; HND plus proven track record accepted.
• MBA is an advantage.
• 15+ years’ flexible-packaging experience, including 5+ years managing rotogravure printing and solvent/solvent-less lamination in Africa or a comparable emerging market.
• Hands-on expertise with 4-ply structures, PVC cold-seal, and high-speed slitting; familiarity with Nordmeccanica, Kohli, or equivalent assets.
• Black Belt or Lean certification is highly desirable.
• Experience with ISO 9001, FSSC 22000, and customer audits strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with MS Excel.

Competencies

• Strong cross-functional communicator (English fluency required).
• Cultural sensitivity to manage a diverse Indian/Ghanaian workforce.
• Strategic, hands-on leader with strong financial, operational, and technical expertise, capable of driving both business performance and manufacturing excellence.
• Proven ability to make sound decisions under pressure, solve complex operational challenges, and lead change within a fast-paced 24/7 manufacturing environment.
• Strong people leader with a passion for developing high-performing teams, fostering accountability, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to build effective relationships across production, engineering, commercial, and executive functions.
• Results-oriented professional with a demonstrated ability to improve productivity, reduce costs, optimise plant performance, and achieve world-class operational standards.

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Managing Director

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive expatriate or local package (housing, school, medical, relocation support) commensurate with experience.
• Annual performance bonus tied to plant KPIs.

Travel

<10% regional travel for supplier/customer visits.

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team in Ghana.

Document generated on: 2023