Production Manager

Location: 

Novi Sad, RS, 21000

At Barry Callebaut, we are on a journey to transform the cocoa and chocolate industry. As the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, our actions truly shape the future of our industry. We are a business-to-business company, serving the entire food sector, from the cocoa bean to the finest chocolate product. We are a company with a purpose, we believe in doing well by doing good and reinvesting in the communities we operate. We have a long-standing commitment to sustainability and our goal is to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future. We are headquartered in Zurich, and have more than 12,000 passionate Employees working in more than 40 countries worldwide. We are very proud of who we are and what we do. And of course, we are always looking for talented people to help us have a positive impact on our industry and beyond!

About the role:

As an Operations Manager, you will oversee, organize, and control all activities related to manufacturing operations, including production and support processes. Your mission is to achieve short-, medium-, and long-term production goals while ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.

You will play a critical leadership role in driving Barry Callebaut’s Go4Zero strategy: "0 accidents, 0 defects, 0 delays, 0 environmental impact." Through your efforts, you will foster a culture of continuous improvement and develop people’s capabilities.

 

Key responsibilities:

  • Ensure the safety of all employees by adhering to and implementing regulations related to safety, food safety, and environmental protection.

  • Monitor and improve performance indicators in these areas.

  • Lead daily operational activities to achieve quality, operational, and financial objectives.

  • Collaborate with the QA department to implement and maintain the quality management system.

  • Develop and execute the budget, monitor costs, and optimize resources to meet production goals.

  • Hire, develop, and coach team members, building a collaborative and high-performance culture.

  • Act as a servant leader, embodying Barry Callebaut’s values and promoting cross-functional teamwork.

  • Identify and implement process improvements, lean initiatives, and new technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.

  • Drive change management and promote a mindset of ongoing development.

  • Oversee the maintenance and repair of equipment to ensure smooth and efficient production processes.

     

About you:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field.

  • Proven experience in leading operational teams, ideally in the food or manufacturing industry.

  • Familiarity with plant management disciplines, lean principles, and union/work council contexts is a plus.

  • Advanced English proficiency; fluency in the local language is essential.

  • Knowledge of MS Office, SAP systems, and manufacturing tools like CMMS or MES.

  • Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making capabilities.

  • Detailed knowledge of safety and quality regulations.

  • Servant leadership approach with excellent communication skills.

  • Ability to manage multiple tasks, work under pressure, and drive positive change.

  • Hands-on, results-driven mindset with attention to detail and a focus on building a collaborative team culture.

 

We offer:

  • A leadership role in a global organization committed to excellence.
  • Opportunities to drive impactful projects and initiatives.
  • Competitive salary and benefits tailored to the local market.
  • Professional development programs and opportunities for growth.
  • Access to cutting-edge technologies and best practices in manufacturing.
  • A supportive, dynamic, and collaborative work environment.

At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity & Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong. #oneBC - Diverse People, Sustainable Growth.

If you want to learn more about Barry Callebaut, please find further information here.

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