Manager Projects – Consumer Foods Sector

Manager Projects – Consumer Foods Sector

Company: Ceylon Cold Stores PLC

Location: Kaduwela, Sri Lanka

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), the manufacturer of the iconic Elephant House beverages and ice creams, is a leading force in Sri Lanka’s consumer food industry. As a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC, we provide a dynamic environment for professionals to drive large-scale transformation.

The Role

The Manager Projects is responsible for managing the Supply Chain Project Management Office (PMO) for the Consumer Foods sector. You will ensure the effective delivery of strategic and operational initiatives across planning, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, and route-to-market. This role is central to driving value in cost efficiency, service performance, agility, and sustainability while maintaining a disciplined, governed approach to project execution.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio & Project Execution

• Strategic Delivery: Support the execution of supply chain project portfolios, ensuring alignment with business priorities and operational plans.

• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with diverse teams to meet project objectives related to service levels, cost optimization, and inventory health.

• Progress Tracking: Actively monitor project milestones to ensure timely delivery and the realization of measurable business value.

Governance & Financial Oversight

• Framework Adherence: Follow established project governance, including stage-gate processes and structured reporting.

• Documentation & Risk: Maintain comprehensive project records, track risks, and facilitate regular project reviews and issue resolution.

• Financial Stewardship: Manage budgeting and cost tracking for assigned projects, ensuring compliance with financial policies and minimizing budget variances.

Process Improvement & Optimization

• Operational Excellence: Drive improvement initiatives in logistics, warehousing, and general supply chain processes to enhance productivity.

• Vendor Management: Support vendor selection (RFQs/RFPs), monitor supplier performance, and ensure contract compliance and timely delivery of services.

Stakeholder & Compliance Management

• Requirements Gathering: Work closely with internal teams (Planning, Operations, Finance) to align project goals with business needs.

• Safety & Regulatory: Ensure all project activities comply with safety standards, food industry regulations, and sustainability practices.

Candidate Profile

Experience & Qualifications:

• Education: BSc in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field; a postgraduate degree is highly preferred.

• Professional Background: 5–10 years of experience in FMCG or manufacturing supply chain roles, with at least 3–5 years specifically in PMO, program management, or cross-functional project leadership.

• Technical Savvy: Hands-on exposure to ERP, APS, WMS, TMS, and analytics platforms; proven ability to lead technology-enabled transformations.

Knowledge & Competencies:

• Supply Chain Expertise: Deep understanding of the end-to-end FMCG value chain (Planning to Route-to-Market).

• Operational Standards: Knowledge of Total Quality Management (TQM), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Food Standards, and EHS legislation.

• Leadership: Ability to build high-performance teams and manage stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.

• Skills: Strong business acumen, analytical thinking, negotiation prowess, and an innovative approach to problem-solving.

How to Apply

If you have the leadership and technical expertise to drive our supply chain transformation, please submit your CV including the names of two non-related referees via the Elephant House Careers site.

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