Shift Manager

Join us as Shift Manager

• Location: Agarapathana - Ceytea Factory

• Terms & Conditions: Full-time role

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is a place where you can bring your purpose to life through meaningful work that contributes to a better business and a better world. As Shift Manager – Ceytea Factory, you will be responsible for leading all manufacturing operations during your shift, including extraction, processing, drying, packing interfaces, and utilities.

You will ensure safe, stable, and efficient operations while achieving operational plan compliance (OR), improving performance against key KPIs, and developing a capable frontline team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure 100% adherence to Unilever safety, quality, food safety, and hygiene standards across all operations.

• Lead Safety Behavior Observations (SBO), risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective actions.

• Enforce compliance to SOPs, GMP, LOTO, and statutory requirements during all shift activities.
  

Operational Delivery

• Achieve weekly plan compliance and maintain smooth end‑to‑end operational flow across Extraction, Process, Drying, Packing, Dispatch interface, and Utilities.

• Monitor critical process parameters, ensure process stability, and minimize deviations.

• Drive improvements in OEE, yield, energy performance, and overall cost efficiency.

• Lead decision-making during breakdowns, ensuring quick escalation, coordination with Engineering, and timely recovery.
  

Material, Cost & Loss Management

• Monitor and minimize raw material losses, energy waste, and operational variances.

• Conduct weekly, monthly, and quarterly stock counts with Finance and auditors.

• Drive and track annual cost‑saving and efficiency improvement projects with periodic follow-up and documentation.
  

People Leadership & Capability Building

• Ensure adequate manpower and skill allocation for shift operations.

• Lead, coach, and develop operators and technicians to improve technical skills and autonomous maintenance capabilities.

• Conduct shift handover meetings, circle meetings, and follow through on improvement actions.
  

Continuous Improvement & Digitalization

• Lead improvement initiatives for yield, process reliability, safety, and energy.

• Support implementation of digital tools such as Power BI, SAP, and manufacturing dashboards.

• Ensure documentation accuracy, SOP updates, and best-practice sharing across shifts.
  

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering, Quality, Planning, R&D, and Utilities teams to ensure uninterrupted operations.

• Complete actions arising from QRM, CRM, internal/external audits, and Daily/monthly reviews.

• Support and drive assigned engineering and operational excellence projects.
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate in Mechanical, Chemical, Process, Industrial Engineering, or any other equivalent qualification.

• 1–2 years of experience in supply chain or manufacturing.

• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Good analytical thinking and problem-solving ability.

• Ability to work effectively in a 3‑shift, seven-day operational environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Exposure to Lean, TPM, Six Sigma, or other improvement tools.

• Experience in FMCG manufacturing is an added advantage.

• Familiarity with digital tools such as Power BI, SAP, and automation dashboards.

• Experience leading operational teams on the shop floor.

LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOURS EXPECTED

Aligned with Unilever’s updated global behaviors:

• Care Deeply: Build trust, demonstrate empathy, and create a safe and inclusive environment.

• Focus on What Counts: Prioritize key drivers of performance and eliminate distractions or waste.

• Deliver with Excellence: Demonstrate ownership, discipline, and high standards to achieve shift KPIs.

• Stay Three Steps Ahead: Anticipate issues, think proactively, and drive continuous improvement.
  

At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.