Head of Operations
Must-have:SeniorLeadPrincipal
About Simple Food Solutions
Simple Food Solutions Pte Ltd operates a central kitchen dedicated to producing high-quality food at scale. We are a fast-growing F&B company committed to operational excellence, and we are looking for a driven Head of Operations to help us build a leaner, more efficient kitchen operation.
Role Summary
The Head of Operations will be the operational backbone of our central kitchen, owning the end-to-end efficiency and performance of our production environment. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives on solving problems, driving continuous improvement, and building systems that scale. You will manage a team of 30–60 staff and report directly to the CEO/Founder.
Key Responsibilities
- Operations & Efficiency
- Lead and implement lean manufacturing principles (5S, Kaizen, value stream mapping) across all kitchen production processes
- Identify and eliminate operational bottlenecks, waste, and inefficiencies to improve throughput and output quality
- Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all production workflows
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives and track measurable outcomes against KPIs
- P&L & Cost Management
- Own the kitchen’s operational P&L, with accountability for food cost, labour cost, and overheads
- Monitor and analyse cost drivers; implement corrective actions to maintain and improve margins
- Prepare and present regular operational and financial performance reports to the CEO
- Manage procurement in collaboration with relevant teams to optimise ingredient costs without compromising quality
- People & Team Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of 30–60 kitchen staff, supervisors, and line leads
- Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, safety, and operational discipline
- Manage scheduling, manpower planning, and rostering to ensure optimal coverage
- Drive staff training programmes aligned with SOPs and quality standards
- Strategic & Cross-Functional
- Serve as a key strategic partner to the CEO/Founder on all matters relating to kitchen operations Collaborate with culinary, sales, and supply chain teams to align production capacity with business demand
- Lead capital improvement projects including equipment upgrades and kitchen layout optimisation
- Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to support business growth and scalability
What We're Looking For
- 5–8 years of operations management experience, with at least 3 years in a central kitchen, large-scale F&B production, or food manufacturing environment
- Proven track record of implementing lean manufacturing, process improvement, or operational transformation initiatives
- Strong P&L literacy with experience managing cost centres and driving margin improvements
- Experienced in leading and developing large, diverse teams (30+ headcount)
- Analytical and data-driven mindset — comfortable working with operational metrics and performance dashboards
- Excellent problem-solving skills with a hands-on, “get-it-done” attitude
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills; able to work closely with senior leadership
- Proficiency in tools such as Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or equivalent operational management systems
Nice to Have
- Formal training or certification in Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies
- Experience in multi-SKU or high-volume food production environments
- Familiarity with food safety standards (HACCP, SFA) is a plus but not required
Why Join Us
- Direct impact: report to the CEO and shape the operational future of a growing F&B company
- Ownership and autonomy over a significant team and operational budget
- Be part of a lean, ambitious team that values results over bureaucracy
- Competitive compensation commensurate with experience