Production Manager - Chiva Plant

Job Offer – Production Manager (Chiva Plant)

Join Oterra and help shape the future of natural food and beverages, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable world.

Headquartered in Denmark, with operations in Europe, Latin America, and the United States, we are a passionate team of over 1,400 people representing 48 nationalities in 27 countries, serving 120 markets worldwide.

As the world’s leading provider of natural color solutions, we offer food and beverage manufacturers a real alternative to artificial colorants. Food and health are at the heart of everything we do, and every day, more than 400 million people consume a product that contains our colors. We believe nature got it right from the start.

About the Position

We are looking for a Production Manager for our Chiva (Valencia) plant to lead operations in the main production areas: reactors, concentrators, spray dryer, and packaging. The role is key to ensuring process efficiency, product quality, food safety, people safety, regulatory compliance, and the development of long-term technical capabilities aligned with the company’s strategy.

Reporting directly to the Site Manager, you will oversee all operational activities, manage a diverse team, and collaborate closely with Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Human Resources, EHS, and other key functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate the production of natural colors from grape must and caramel colors from sugar, ensuring alignment with manufacturing orders and process standards.
• Supervise the technical operation of process equipment, ensuring control of pressure, temperature, flow rates, and cycle times across all plant sections.
• Ensure the correct and timely recording of production and consumption transactions in the ERP (Navision / SAP), and guarantee accurate traceability of all products manufactured at the plant.
• Ensure the execution of the production plan and the timely availability of products to meet on-time delivery of customer orders.
• Manage the proper operation and coordination of utilities systems—including wastewater treatment, steam boilers, water treatment, electricity, gas supply, and related services—ensuring efficiency, reliability, and compliance with environmental and safety standards.
• Analyze and optimize productivity, energy efficiency, raw material consumption, and process yields, implementing corrective actions when necessary.
• Coordinate with Maintenance to ensure the execution of preventive and corrective maintenance, maximizing equipment availability and reliability.
• Ensure strict compliance with GMP, HACCP, EHS, and certifications such as ISO, FSSC, Halal, Kosher, FAMI‑QS.
• Guarantee product traceability, accurate documentation, and completion of technical records.
• Lead, coach, and develop the production team, managing shift planning, cross‑training, and development of technical and behavioral competencies.
• Promote a leadership model close to processes and people, acting decisively to foster a climate of equity, inclusion, and engagement among plant staff.
• Provide timely feedback to operators to correct inappropriate behavior and misunderstandings, and to reinforce and motivate outstanding performance.
• Promote collaboration and teamwork with all plant functions to build a climate of integration and pursuit of common goals.
• Prepare, manage, and monitor the production budget, analyzing operational costs, energy consumption, and deviations.
• Promote and lead continuous improvement initiatives and process engineering projects focused on efficiency, capacity, and sustainability enhancements.
• Foster a strong EHS culture, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and leading preventive and corrective initiatives to improve workplace safety.
• Provide support during internal and external audits, ensuring alignment with customer and regulatory standards.
• Offer technical insight and leadership for industrial investment projects, including the installation of new equipment and capacity expansions.

Required Profile

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Biotechnology Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or a related field.
• 5–7 years of industrial experience in the food sector or related industries, with at least 3 years in production management.
• Knowledge of reaction, concentration, spray drying, and packaging processes is a plus.
• Experience managing supervisors and multidisciplinary teams in complex industrial environments.
• Advanced knowledge of food safety and quality systems (HACCP, ISO 22000, BRC, IFS, FSSC).
• Proficiency in SAP or other ERP systems, with strong skills in data analysis and KPI management.
• Hands-on leadership style, with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate and unify teams.
• Advanced English (C1/C2); knowledge of additional languages is a plus.

What We Offer

• Lead production operations at our Chiva plant, specialized in natural color manufacturing.
• Play a key role in managing core industrial processes with direct impact on efficiency and sustainability.
• Be part of a multicultural and innovative environment, collaborating in global projects and knowledge sharing.
• Career development opportunities within a world-leading company committed to food safety, innovation, and operational excellence.
• Competitive compensation package framed within the Chemical Industry Agreement, along with social benefits including a pension plan and private health insurance.

   

  Do you want to know more?

  If you have questions about the position, feel free to contact our internal recruiter, Gonzalo Mallea, at gonzalo.mallea@oterra.com.