Overview
Leads all operational activities at the Lipetsk site and Supply Chain for Russia & CIS, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant production. Drives operational excellence, develops teams, and supports strategic objectives. Reports to the Operations Director EMEA and is a key member of the local leadership team.
Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead the manufacturing site and oversee all key functions on campus.
- Direct, develop, and coach cross-functional teams (production, maintenance, logistics, warehousing).
- Foster a culture of safety, servant leadership, and continuous improvement.
- Manage talent pipeline, support personnel development, and ensure succession planning.
- Promote collaboration and effective communication across departments (Quality, Finance, HR, Engineering, HSE, CLS, Customer Service, Sales).
- Align local activities with global/regional initiatives and ensure strong execution.
Operational Excellence
- Oversee all operations, ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards (internal and legal).
- Establish, maintain, and optimize production processes from planning to delivery.
- Monitor product quality and consistency (ISO, GMP, FAMI-QS).
- Optimize production capacity based on forecasts and business needs.
- Ensure uninterrupted manufacturing by managing inventories and resources.
- Manage tolling and 3PL activities in Russia & CIS.
- Contribute to strategic planning, budgeting, and KPI setting.
- Full P&L responsibility: control costs, analyze investments (CAPEX), and manage operational expenses (OPEX).
Compliance & Stakeholder Engagement
- Ensure compliance with obligations to authorities, customers, creditors, and stakeholders.
- Maintain industry contacts and prepare infrastructure for new products/lines.
- Represent the company at industry, governmental, and company events.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Engineer degree (preferably Chemistry or related field).
- 10+ years in senior management roles (manufacturing, operations, or supply chain).
- Experience in agriculture, food, chemical, or veterinary industry (advantage).
- Fluent Russian (native); English (intermediate+).
- Strong computer literacy (Word, Excel, ERP; SAP/M3 a plus).
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Proven team leadership and development ability.
- High integrity, commitment, and stress resistance.
- Willingness to travel locally/internationally.
- Able to work in office and manufacturing environments.
Desirable Skills
- Experience with lean manufacturing tools.
- Ability to build agile, cross-functional processes.
- Strong coaching and employee development.
- Customer-focused mindset and continuous improvement orientation.