General Manager – Manufacturing & Operations

Company Overview

Roma Food Products is a long-established allergen-free food manufacturer with more than 70 years of history. The business has been family-owned since 1984 and continues to expand from its purpose-built facility in Carrum Downs. It develops and ships its own brands, including Orgran, Buontempo, Pasta Roma, Spliits and Freemills, reaching more than 40 international markets. The company is privately held, led by its founder, and supported by a deeply experienced team.

The organisation’s mission is to make quality food that supports healthier living.

Role Overview

This position begins as General Manager, Manufacturing & Operations, with responsibility for leading a broad site leadership team across production, technical, procurement and supply chain. The role carries full accountability for performance, people and delivery across the business and is strongly site-based, with an active presence on the factory floor rather than a desk-only focus.

With a formal review process and clear demonstration of capability, the position is intended to broaden over time into an Executive General Manager role with oversight of the wider business, including manufacturing, finance, and sales & marketing. The Managing Director will provide direct mentorship throughout this progression, which may take significant time to achieve in a different environment.

This is an opportunity to step in, show capability, and help build a stronger business.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead safety initiatives and reinforce a proactive, zero-harm culture across the site.
• Ensure production is delivered to plan, including planning, labour use and day-to-day operational rhythm.
• Take responsibility for operational cost outcomes, covering labour, yield, waste, efficiency and downtime, and deliver against budget.
• Work closely with the CFO while remaining accountable for the result.
• Champion Lean practices, 5S and practical continuous improvement.
• Strengthen workforce capability and engagement, while helping grow future leaders.
• Keep QA, GMP and food safety standards in place so the site remains audit-ready at all times.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a senior manufacturing or operations leader, preferably from FMCG or food, with experience at General Manager, Operations Director or comparable senior site leadership level. You should be comfortable taking real ownership of a manufacturing operation and stepping beyond purely factory-floor responsibilities.

The role suits someone who works well in a privately owned, founder-led culture and who is commercially astute enough to interpret and operate within a P&L, even if full P&L ownership has not previously been part of the remit. A visible, hands-on leadership style is essential, along with the ability to communicate clearly, build accountability in a constructive way, and balance humility with confidence.

A consistent history of impact and stability is also important.

Offer

• A clearly defined progression path toward Executive General Manager responsibility across the full business.
• Direct guidance from an entrepreneurial Managing Director with more than 40 years of leadership in the business.
• Substantial autonomy over the operational core of a growing manufacturer with strong values.
• The chance to lead a team behind food products that provide meaningful choice for families.
• An attractive salary package plus superannuation, aligned to experience.

Application and Privacy Information

For a confidential conversation about the role, candidates may contact Ramtin Parvar or Stephen Borg by email. An application may also be submitted through the provided channel.

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