Operational Excellence Manager

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 FY’24 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.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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.

Technology 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

Bachelor’s Degree  Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical / Chemical / Electrical Engineering.

Master’s 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

t.shrinidhi@dairyday.com