Plant Manager

Unga Group is hiring a Plant Manager to lead its manufacturing operations in Nairobi. This Plant Manager jobs in Nairobi opportunity is ideal for experienced manufacturing leaders looking to advance their careers with Unga Group careers while exploring the latest Plant Manager vacancies in Kenya’s food manufacturing industry.

Key Job Information

• Position: Plant Manager
• Company: Unga Group PLC
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Department: Manufacturing Operations
• Reference Number: Requisition ID 1053
• Reports To: Senior Management

About Unga Group Careers

Unga Group PLC is one of East Africa’s leading manufacturers of food and animal nutrition products, delivering high-quality brands to consumers and businesses across the region. The company is committed to operational excellence, food safety, innovation, and sustainable manufacturing practices that support long-term growth.

With continuous investment in technology, people, and process improvement, Unga Group offers rewarding career opportunities for professionals seeking leadership roles in manufacturing. Individuals interested in jobs at Unga Group join a business focused on delivering operational excellence while creating value for customers and stakeholders.

Plant Manager Jobs in Kenya

The Plant Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure the manufacturing plant operates safely, efficiently, and profitably. The successful candidate will oversee production, financial performance, supply chain integration, asset reliability, quality, safety, and workforce productivity while driving continuous improvement across all plant operations.

This position plays a critical role in achieving business objectives by optimizing plant performance, strengthening operational resilience, and leading cross-functional collaboration. Candidates searching for manufacturing management jobs in Kenya will have the opportunity to lead a high-performing production facility focused on operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead overall plant operations to achieve production, financial, and operational performance targets.
• Develop and manage annual operating and capital expenditure budgets.
• Drive cost optimization across labour, maintenance, utilities, logistics, and raw materials.
• Monitor production costs and implement initiatives that improve operational efficiency.
• Lead Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) to align production with customer demand.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to optimize inventory and service levels.
• Develop plant performance dashboards and monitor operational KPIs.
• Conduct root cause analysis on production losses, downtime, quality issues, and cost variances.
• Implement preventive and predictive maintenance programmes to maximize equipment reliability.
• Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), MTBF, and MTTR through structured maintenance initiatives.
• Champion energy efficiency, waste reduction, sustainability, and environmental compliance.
• Lead plant risk management, emergency preparedness, and business continuity programmes.
• Build a high-performance culture through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and employee engagement.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop strong relationships with regulators, suppliers, contractors, customers, and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards, company policies, and statutory regulations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in production management and plant operations, including at least four (4) years in senior management.
• Strong knowledge of production planning and ERP systems, with SAP production module experience considered an advantage.
• Good understanding of Food Safety Management Systems, including ISO 22000.
• Knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements within feed milling or food manufacturing operations.
• Strong understanding of financial management, supply chain operations, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Candidates pursuing manufacturing leadership jobs in Kenya with expertise in food production, plant management, and operational excellence are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of milling principles and production equipment.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and Kaizen initiatives.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.

Benefits and Compensation

• Opportunity to lead operations within one of Kenya’s leading manufacturing companies.
• Exposure to strategic manufacturing, supply chain, and operational leadership.
• Professional growth through continuous improvement and leadership development initiatives.
• Collaborative work environment focused on innovation, quality, and sustainability.
• An excellent opportunity for professionals pursuing manufacturing careers in Kenya.

How to Apply for Plant Manager Jobs at Unga Group

Candidates interested in apply for Plant Manager job in Kenya should submit their application through the official Unga Group recruitment portal, quoting Requisition ID 1053. Ensure your updated CV clearly demonstrates your experience in plant operations, manufacturing leadership, financial management, and continuous improvement.

If you are searching for Unga Group vacancies 2026, production management jobs in Nairobi, or work at Unga Group, this is an excellent opportunity to join a market-leading manufacturer committed to operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.