Plant Manager – Fertilizer Manufacturing

About the role

The Plant Manager will lead the end‑to‑end operations of our fertilizer manufacturing facility in Adama, overseeing production of NPK and NPS grades through solid raw material powder blending and steam granulation. The role demands strong technical expertise, a focus on safety and quality, and proven leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Direct daily manufacturing operations to meet production targets, throughput, and quality specifications.
• Manage solid raw material handling, precise powder dosing/blending, and steam‑granulation loops including drying, cooling, screening and conditioning.
• Develop, review and improve Standard Operating Procedures for all production stages.
• Monitor KPIs such as yield efficiency, recycle ratios, energy/fuel usage and resolve process deviations.
• Implement operational excellence initiatives (5S, Quality Circles) and drive continuous improvement.
• Enforce EHS policies, conduct HAZOP/HAZID studies and lead incident investigations.
• Lead and mentor shift supervisors, process engineers and operators; coordinate with Maintenance, QA/QC, Supply Chain and Planning.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemistry, Agriculture or a related technical field.
• Minimum 15 + years progressive, hands‑on experience in fertilizer plant operations with supervisory or managerial responsibility.
• Strong knowledge of mass and heat balance, raw material specifications, nutrient and micro‑nutrient formulations.
• Proven ability to ensure safety, regulatory compliance and product quality.

Required skills

• Chemical processing
• Mass & heat balance calculations
• Solid raw material handling
• Powder blending & steam granulation
• Process control and KPI monitoring
• Yield optimization, recycle ratio management
• HAZOP/HAZID analysis
• 5S and Quality Circle implementation