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Factory Manager

Basilur Tea Export (Pvt) Ltd   Colombo • Full-time

Factory Manager

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Basilur Tea is one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated luxury tea brands, crafting and exporting premium Ceylon tea collections to over 65 markets worldwide. Our operations are rooted in precision, quality, and a deep respect for craftsmanship — values that extend from our tea gardens all the way to every function within our business.

THE ROLE

The Factory Manager is the head of our manufacturing facility, holding overall accountability for production, maintenance, and blending operations. This is a senior leadership role for an experienced plant head who can run a complex, high-SKU factory to the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency, while building the systems and team capability needed to scale. The ideal candidate combines deep operational command of the floor with the strategic and commercial judgement to own factory performance end to end.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Hold overall accountability for the manufacturing facility, directing production, maintenance, and blending operations to meet output, quality, and delivery commitments
  • Lead and develop the production, maintenance, and blending teams through their respective managers, setting standards, priorities, and a culture of ownership and continuous improvement
  • Own factory performance against budget — managing production cost, controlling waste, and providing input into capital expenditure planning and equipment investment decisions
  • Ensure blending operations deliver consistent quality and flavour profiles to specification, maintaining the integrity of Basilur's premium product range
  • Maintain a robust maintenance regime that maximises equipment uptime and reliability across all production lines
  • Embed LEAN and 5S across the factory as the operating standard, driving measurable gains in throughput, yield, and changeover efficiency
  • Hold accountability for food safety and audit outcomes, ensuring the facility consistently meets HACCP, ISO 22000, BRCGS, and FSSC 22000 requirements and passes customer and third-party audits
  • Establish and govern factory-wide KPIs (OEE, yield, downtime, wastage, cost per unit) and lead performance reviews that translate data into action
  • Ensure a safe working environment through rigorous implementation of health and safety procedures and a strong safety culture across all areas
  • Coordinate with Quality Assurance, Stores, Purchasing, and the NPD process to ensure smooth material flow, successful new product introductions, and uninterrupted production

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

  • 12+ years of experience in manufacturing or production, including proven experience at factory head or plant manager level
  • Degree or Diploma in Production Management, Industrial Management, Food Technology, Engineering, or a related field
  • Applicants with over 10 years of experience in a reputed company will also be considered without the stipulated educational qualifications
  • Demonstrated success leading multi-function factory operations (production, maintenance, and ideally blending or process operations) at scale
  • Strong command of LEAN and 5S, with a track record of embedding continuous improvement as an operating standard rather than a one-off project
  • Accountability for factory budget, production cost control, and input into capital expenditure decisions
  • Deep working knowledge of food safety frameworks (HACCP, ISO 22000, BRCGS, FSSC 22000) and proven ability to own audit outcomes
  • Exceptional leadership, communication, and decision-making skills, with the ability to lead managers and large teams in a demanding environment
  • Proficiency in MS Office and confident in interpreting operational data and preparing factory performance reports

NICE TO HAVE

  • LEAN or Six Sigma certification (Black Belt or Green Belt)
  • Experience in the tea or food manufacturing industry
  • Experience in a luxury, export-oriented, or high-SKU manufacturing environment
  • Familiarity with ERP-based production and cost reporting

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN

  • The opportunity to lead the manufacturing operation of a globally recognised Sri Lankan luxury brand present in 65+ markets
  • Full ownership of factory performance with direct reporting to the Chairman and genuine authority to shape how the plant operates
  • A mandate to modernise and scale operations, with leadership backing for LEAN, 5S, and capital investment
  • A central leadership role in a company that is actively scaling its operations and investing in its people

Apply Now

Send your CV and a brief cover note to:

hr@basilurtea.com

Colombo, Sri Lanka