Description

Business Information - Grains

The Grains business in Olam Agri consists of 4 verticals: Wheat Milling (in sub-Saharan Africa), Origination & Trading (Origination in the Black Sea and Latin America, Destination in the Middle East & North Africa, Prop trading in Wheat/Corn/Soy), Animal Feeds & Proteins (starting in Nigeria, but plan to expand to 4-5 countries in Africa, Asia & MENA by 2020) and Ocean Freight (vessel charter,Proptrading).
Our manufacturing facilities in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Senegal helping these countries to reduce import costs of refined wheat. With an unrelenting focus on food safety, innovation and cost efficiencies, we produce a range of quality flours for bread, baguettes, pasta noodles, biscuits, semolina, and confectionery.

Job Description

A General Manager - Engineering is responsible for leading the engineering function across multi-site operations or a large single-site complex. The role focuses on driving operational excellence through robust maintenance strategies, efficient utilities management, and execution of capital projects.

The incumbent is responsible for developing and implementing best-in-class maintenance practices for large-scale wheat milling operations, ensuring optimal plant performance, cost efficiency, and business continuity. The role also includes leading engineering teams, managing budgets, driving reliability initiatives, and supporting expansion through brownfield and greenfield projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage engineering and maintenance functions across multiple plants
• Develop and implement maintenance strategies to ensure plant efficiency and reliability
• Drive cost optimisation initiatives, including OEE improvement and utility cost reduction
• Manage utilities operations across all facilities to ensure uninterrupted performance
• Oversee spares inventory management for efficient plant operations
• Plan and control R&M budgets, ensuring adherence to cost targets
• Lead execution of brownfield and greenfield projects within timelines and budget
• Ensure effective team structure, capability building, and performance management
• Maintain business continuity and achieve capex targets within defined thresholds

Job Requirements

Experience

• 15+ years in maintenance, utilities, and engineering project management
• Led engineering functions across multi-site operations/large complexes
• Strong expertise in wheat milling; pasta experience is a plus
• Hands-on with Buhler, Ugur, and Alapala mills
• Experience in reliability engineering, spare parts, and process optimisation
• Capex planning, budgeting, and cost control

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• QEHS, HACCP, or maintenance/management certifications preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership with experience managing large teams
• Excellent project management (brownfield & greenfield)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective stakeholder management
• Strong written and verbal communication

Olam Agri is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, nationality, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants are requested to complete all required steps in the application process including providing a resume/CV in order to be considered for open roles.