A leading organization in the FMCG Food Processing — Oils & Fats manufacturing sector is seeking a highly accomplished Project & Plant Head for its UAE / GCC operations. This is a senior leadership role requiring deep expertise in FMCG manufacturing, proven mastery of food processing technologies for edible oils and fats, and a strong track record in managing large-scale plant operations and strategic project execution — including greenfield and brownfield commissioning. Candidates with a minimum of 3 years in edible oil manufacturing are strongly prioritized.
Role Scope — Plant Operations & Strategic Project Leadership
Industry: FMCG Food Processing — Oils & Fats manufacturing — one of the most technically demanding sectors in the GCC food industry
Project Scope: Greenfield and brownfield project execution and commissioning — from planning through to full operational handover
Plant Scope: Management of large-scale production facility operations with cross-functional team leadership
Compliance: HACCP · ISO · FSSAI food safety standards compliance across all plant and project activities
Apply: Email CV to resumesdb0@gmail.com — Subject Line: Project & Plant Head – FMCG
Why This Project & Plant Head Role in the UAE is a Senior Career Milestone
Rare Combination: Project execution AND plant operations in a single senior role — offering unmatched breadth of responsibility and career impact in the GCC FMCG sector
Oils & Fats Niche: Edible oil and fats manufacturing expertise is one of the most specialized and highest-value skills in the UAE and GCC food processing job market
Greenfield Experience: Leading greenfield plant commissioning in the UAE is a career-defining achievement that commands premium compensation and global recognition
GCC Growth: The UAE and GCC food processing sector is undergoing significant expansion under national food security strategies — creating strong demand for experienced plant leadership professionals
Position Overview
The Project & Plant Head in UAE’s FMCG Oils & Fats manufacturing sector is one of the most senior and high-impact leadership roles in the industry. You will simultaneously lead plant operations across a large-scale production facility and spearhead strategic project execution — including the commissioning and expansion of greenfield and brownfield manufacturing plants. This dual mandate requires a leader who combines deep technical knowledge of edible oil and food processing technologies with the operational discipline to manage production KPIs, compliance standards, and cross-functional manufacturing teams at scale.
Why This Role Matters: In the UAE’s rapidly expanding FMCG food processing sector, a Project & Plant Head for Oils & Fats manufacturing is not just a production manager — they are the single most critical decision-maker between a greenfield project vision and a functioning, compliant, commercially productive manufacturing facility. Your expertise in edible oil processing technologies, plant commissioning, HACCP compliance, and cross-functional leadership directly determines whether the organization’s manufacturing investment delivers on its strategic and commercial objectives from day one of operations.
Key Responsibilities
Plant Operations Leadership
- Lead and manage all aspects of large-scale FMCG food processing plant operations — ensuring production targets, quality standards, and cost efficiency objectives are consistently achieved
- Build and lead high-performing cross-functional manufacturing teams across production, maintenance, quality, and supply chain functions within the plant environment
- Drive operational excellence through continuous improvement initiatives, waste reduction programmes, and productivity enhancement across all manufacturing lines
- Establish and maintain robust performance management systems — tracking production KPIs, efficiency metrics, and quality outcomes against defined organizational targets
Greenfield & Brownfield Project Execution
- Manage end-to-end execution of greenfield and brownfield manufacturing projects — from initial feasibility and engineering through procurement, construction, and full commissioning
- Lead plant commissioning activities — ensuring all systems, processes, and equipment are verified, tested, and validated before commercial production commences
- Coordinate with internal engineering teams, external contractors, equipment vendors, and regulatory authorities throughout all phases of project execution
- Deliver projects on time, within budget, and to the technical specifications required for full compliance with food safety and manufacturing standards
Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure full plant and project compliance with HACCP, ISO food safety management standards, FSSAI requirements, and all applicable UAE and GCC food processing regulations
- Oversee internal and external food safety audits — ensuring all non-conformities are identified, escalated, and resolved within defined timelines
- Champion a culture of food safety ownership across all plant personnel — from production operators through to senior management
Edible Oils & Fats Technology Management
- Apply deep technical knowledge of edible oil and fats processing technologies — including refining, hydrogenation, interesterification, fractionation, and packaging processes
- Oversee process optimization and technology upgrades within the oils and fats manufacturing facility to improve yield, quality, and operational efficiency
- Stay current with global developments in food processing technology and apply relevant innovations to enhance plant performance and product quality
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- B.Tech or M.Sc in Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, or an equivalent technical qualification — strong academic grounding in food processing or engineering is essential
Experience Requirements
- 10 to 12 years of FMCG or food industry experience — with demonstrated progression to senior plant management or project leadership roles
- Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience specifically in Edible Oil manufacturing — this is a mandatory requirement and non-negotiable
- Proven experience in plant operations management, commissioning, and manufacturing expansion projects at a large scale
- Strong demonstrated leadership of cross-functional manufacturing environments across production, quality, maintenance, and supply chain teams
Core Expertise Profile for This Role
Edible Oil Manufacturing — MANDATORYGreenfield Commissioning — MANDATORYBrownfield ExpansionFMCG Plant OperationsFood Processing TechnologyCross-Functional LeadershipProduction KPI ManagementOils & Fats Processing
About the UAE FMCG Oils & Fats Manufacturing Sector in 2026
The UAE and broader GCC region are experiencing significant investment in domestic food processing and manufacturing capacity as part of national food security strategies. The Oils & Fats segment — encompassing edible oil refining, specialty fats, and blended products — is among the most strategically important categories, with several large-scale greenfield plants either in development or recently commissioned across the Emirates and the wider Gulf. Professionals with deep edible oil manufacturing expertise and greenfield commissioning experience are in exceptionally high demand across this sector in 2026.
Career Excellence: A Project & Plant Head role in UAE’s FMCG Oils & Fats sector offers one of the most strategically significant, technically demanding, and financially rewarding career opportunities available to senior food processing professionals in the GCC — combining plant leadership authority with large-scale project execution responsibility in one of the world’s most investment-active food manufacturing markets.
How to Apply — Important Instructions
Email your CV to: resumesdb0@gmail.com
Subject Line: Project & Plant Head – FMCG (This is mandatory — applications without the correct subject line may not be reviewed)
DM Option: Qualified professionals may also apply via direct message with CV attached
Eligible Candidates: Qualified professionals with edible oil manufacturing experience and GCC/UAE market knowledge will be prioritized
Who Should Apply?
- Senior FMCG Plant Managers: With 10–12 years of food industry experience and a minimum 3 years in edible oil manufacturing — ready to take on a dual plant operations and project leadership role in the UAE or GCC
- Greenfield Commissioning Specialists: With proven end-to-end experience in greenfield plant project execution and commissioning in FMCG or food processing environments
- Food Technology Engineers: With B.Tech or M.Sc in Food Technology and hands-on edible oils and fats processing expertise in a large-scale manufacturing facility
- HACCP / ISO Certified Plant Leaders: Who combine food safety compliance knowledge with the operational and project management skills to lead a large FMCG manufacturing plant in the UAE
- GCC-Experienced Manufacturing Directors: With cross-functional leadership experience in UAE or GCC food processing plants and a track record of delivering plant expansion and commissioning projects on time and within budget
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