Assistant Manager-Factory
Position summary
The
Assistant Factory Manager plays a pivotal role in leading daily factory
operations, quality assurance, compliance, and process optimization. Anchored
in high-volume CTC Black Tea processing, the successful candidate will also
leverage technical expertise in Orthodox Tea processing (including Tencha) to
oversee specialty trials, execute precision batch-blending to client
specifications, and drive continuous improvement while upholding world-class
food safety and sustainability standards.
Key responsibilities
1. Black tea operations and
green tea integration
- Direct daily high-volume
Black Tea manufacturing workflows—including withering, CTC/Orthodox rolling,
continuous fermentation control, fluid-bed drying, sorting, and primary
packaging.
- Apply specialized
knowledge of Green Tea processing to oversee green leaf de-enzyming
(steaming/pan-firing), specialty drying, and handling techniques for Tencha trials
and scaling.
- Monitor critical control
points (moisture content, fermentation temperature, air flow, and cut quality)
to ensure maximum recovery of high-value primary grades.
- Execute controlled batch
trials for specialty tencha teas, documenting processing parameters, yield
ratios, and sensory profiles.
2. Custom grade blending and
quality control
- Formulate and execute
precision grade-blending protocols for black teas to match exact international
buyer specifications and customer blend target sheets.
- Conduct regular
organoleptic evaluations (leaf appearance, liquor color, strength, brightness,
infusion, and flavor profile consistency) prior to packing.
- Enforce end-to-end batch
traceability from Greenleaf intake through processing, sorting, custom
blending, and final containerization.
- Perform root-cause
analysis on off-grade batches or non-conforming blends to maintain consistent
batch-to-batch product standards.
3. Quality systems,
compliance and sustainability
- Enforce food safety
management protocols across all production lines in accordance with ISO 22000:2018
standards.
- Maintain full compliance
with Rainforest Alliance (RA) certification requirements, environmental
regulations, and sustainable agricultural processing practices.
- Lead operational
preparation and participate in facility audits conducted by regulatory bodies,
including the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) and third-party auditors.
4. Plant maintenance and
operational efficiency
- Track factory KPIs
including outturn percentages, thermal energy utilization, electrical
efficiency, and machinery overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
- Partner with the
maintenance engineering team to execute preventative maintenance plans for CTC
cuts, continuous fermenters, dryers, and specialized fiber extractor units to
minimize downtime.
- Champion Lean
manufacturing and 5S workplace organization across all production floors.
5. Team leadership and
workforce management
- Supervise, mentor, and
direct section supervisors, process clerks, and shop-floor teams across
rotational shifts.
- Conduct technical training
on process control, hygiene, and safe machinery operation.
- Drive a culture of strict
adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards to maintain a
zero-incident workplace.
Requirements
Qualifications and key competencies
a. Education:
Bachelor’s
degree in food science and technology, Process/Chemical Engineering,
Agricultural Engineering, or a related field.
b. Experience:
Minimum
of 5–7 years of progressive operational leadership in Black Tea manufacturing
(CTC and/or Orthodox), with proven technical knowledge and working experience
in Green Tea processing (including Tencha).
c. Technical Certifications:
- Certified Lead Auditor or
Internal Auditor in FSSC 22000 (v6) or ISO 22000:2018.
- Demonstrated competence or
formal qualification in Rainforest Alliance (RA) standards.
d. Core Technical Expertise:
- Mastery of black tea
biochemistry, CTC machinery, Orthodox rolling, and automated fermentation
management.
- Direct working knowledge
of green tea processing mechanisms (de-enzyming/steaming, roasting, and
specialty drying for Tencha).
- Proficiency in physical
tea grading, mesh sizing, and recipe-based custom grade blending for export
markets.
e. Competencies:
- Strong leadership
- Analytical problem-solving
- Sensory evaluation (tea
tasting)
- Excellent communication
- Audit defence capabilities