Operational Excellence Manager

JOB DISCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Operational Excellence Manager

DEPARTMENT Operations

LOCATION Bangalore

REPORTING TO COO

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Dairy Day was started in 2002 by two veterans from the ice-cream industry, with a keen desire to chart their own course in a category they were deeply passionate about. Over the past 20 years, Dairy Day has grown to become a regional leader in the ice-cream category, with market leadership in Karnataka & with the brand ranked 3rd in Tamil Nadu. The brand boasts of strong presence on-ground across 70000+ retailers, and continues to grow rapidly at 25%+, with FY24 revenues at 680 Cr. Along the way, Dairy Day has attracted significant investor interest, with investments from Motilal Oswal in 2016 and a sizeable investment from Kedaara Capital in 2024.
We are seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Operational excellence manager to lead the development and execution of long-term sourcing strategies, capacity projects, and savings initiatives. This role will drive collaboration with R&D, Procurement, and Marketing team to optimize material and non-material efficiencies while spearheading new product development efforts. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in technology-driven innovation and project execution, with a passion for transforming business capabilities.

• Long-Term Sourcing Strategy- Design and implement future-focused sourcing strategies that enhance efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability in manufacturing as well as logistics space.
• Capacity Expansion Projects- Lead capacity-building initiatives, identify value engineering opportunities, business case preparation and oversee execution from planning to completion.
• Techology selection Evaluate the technology end to end for lowest life cycle cost and implement the same at manufacturing sites.
• Material & Non-Material Savings Initiatives- Partner with R&D and Procurement to drive cost-saving projects, optimizing resource utilization while ensuring innovation.
• New Product Development- Collaborate with R&D and Marketing to ideate, develop, and launch new products, ensuring alignment with market needs and technological advancements.
• Cross-Functional Leadership- Work closely with internal teams, suppliers, and stakeholders to drive innovation, streamline processes, and enhance operational efficiencies.
• Data-Driven Decision Making- Use analytics and market insights to continuously refine strategies, improve sourcing models, and drive competitive advantage.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

Academic
Bachelors Degree degree in Mechanical / Chemical / Electrical Engineering. Masters Degree (Preferred) in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Operations Management Professional

• Experience: 10+ years of proven experience in driving operational excellence, streamlining operations, and leading planning initiatives

PREFERRED SKILLS

• 5 to 7 years of experience in innovation, technology leadership, and end-to-end project management.
• Experience of setting up large greenfield or brownfield projects.
• Strong data analytics and process mapping skills using MS office tools.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing operations & Plant engineering preferably in ice cream or food processing environments.
• Proven ability to lead strategic sourcing, capacity expansion, and cross-functional improvement projects.
• Skilled in project and change management with a structured and results-driven approach.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Excellent communication, training, and stakeholder management skills across all organizational levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset to identify root causes and drive sustainable improvements.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, innovation-driven settings with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Collaboration and Influencing Skills
• Change Agility
• Results Orientation
• Leadership and Coaching