THE ROLE
In this role as Value Stream Manager for NPD (New Product Development) and Convenience Foods, you will assume full accountability for Caswell’s entire value stream—encompassing Beverage Plant operations, Ready-to-Eat (RTE) production, Extrusion and Puffed Snacks, FRK manufacturing, and Fried Snack production.
You will oversee the comprehensive performance of the production line, ensuring optimal flow, cost efficiency, quality standards, food safety compliance, workforce capability, and seamless integration of new products into commercialization. Reporting to the Head of Manufacturing & Engineering, you will manage a team comprising supervisors, shift leads, and production operators while serving as the manufacturing execution lead within Caswell’s New Product Development Stage-Gate process.
In this construction-focused position, you will introduce disciplined efficiency to an expanding manufacturing setting, establish necessary standards where none currently exist, and establish a robust operational framework that enables Caswell to consistently introduce new products on a large scale.
Oversee and execute a comprehensive set of duties encompassing strategic planning, operational oversight, and team leadership to drive organizational success. Key areas of accountability include developing and implementing policies, managing cross-functional projects, and ensuring adherence to industry regulations while optimizing performance metrics. The role demands meticulous attention to detail, exceptional problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to mentor staff while fostering a collaborative work environment. Collaborate with senior management to align initiatives with long-term business objectives, monitor progress through KPIs, and report on outcomes to stakeholders. Additionally, the position requires proficiency in budget management, resource allocation, and risk mitigation strategies to sustain operational efficiency and growth.
Drives excellence in Value Stream Flow and demonstrates Lean Leadership principles, ensuring efficient process optimization and waste reduction across operations. Guides teams in identifying and implementing continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and quality. Fosters a culture of accountability, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making to sustain performance gains. Collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders to align strategies with organizational goals while championing Lean methodologies. Requires expertise in Lean tools, process mapping, and change management, along with strong leadership and communication skills.
Map, oversee, and enhance the complete journey of materials and information within the convenience foods value stream, progressing from the existing state to the envisioned future state.
Leverage lean methodologies to methodically remove waste from the workflow, employing essential tools such as take time optimization, standardized work processes, visual controls, 5S implementation, continuous improvement (Kaiden), and pull-based production systems.
Direct accountability across all tiers of the workflow is ensured through consistent daily, weekly, and monthly management routines, fostering a culture of structured oversight and measurable performance at every level of the operational stream.
Drive the development and continuous enhancement of the stream’s capacity model and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (ONE) program, systematically identifying the key contributors to performance losses and spearheading targeted improvement initiatives to address them.
We are seeking a seasoned professional to lead the commercialization and scale-up initiatives for New Product Development (NPD), ensuring seamless transition from concept to market launch. The ideal candidate will oversee process optimization, regulatory compliance, and supply chain coordination to facilitate efficient production ramp-up. Additionally, they will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including R&D, manufacturing, and marketing, to align strategies with business objectives and market demands. Strong project management skills, a deep understanding of industry regulations, and experience in scaling operations are essential for success in this role.
As the manufacturing lead within Caswell’s New Product Development (NPD) Stage-Gate process, you will oversee the entire journey—from conducting feasibility assessments to executing line trials, validating processes, and ultimately securing commercial launch approval.
Drive the transition from validated pilot to full-scale commercial production, defining robust manufacturing standards, streamlined SOPs, measurable yield objectives, and critical quality control checkpoints for each new product.
Maintain an NPD pipeline tracker and represent manufacturing readiness at every Stage-Gate checkpoint
Provides strategic guidance in technical excellence and operational optimization, overseeing the development and implementation of streamlined processes to enhance efficiency, quality, and innovation. Drives continuous improvement initiatives, mentors cross-functional teams, and ensures alignment with organizational objectives by fostering collaboration and best practices across departments.
Deliver comprehensive technical leadership in extrusion processing, the production of puffed snacks, seasoning and flavoring systems, frying technologies, beverage processing, and ready-to-eat food manufacturing.
Optimize process parameters across every production line to enhance product quality, increase throughput and yield, and reduce costs. Collaborate closely with Engineering and Maintenance teams to bolster equipment reliability and ensure adherence to planned maintenance schedules.
Overseeing operational performance involves ensuring that all business processes function efficiently and effectively to meet organizational objectives. This role requires a keen focus on monitoring key performance indicators, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing strategic solutions to enhance productivity and reduce operational costs. Responsibilities include analyzing performance data, optimizing workflows, and maintaining compliance with industry standards and company policies. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate across departments are essential. A bachelor’s degree in business administration, operations management, or a related field, along with relevant work experience, is typically required for this position.
Establish and meet performance targets encompassing safety, quality, output, ONE, waste reduction, labor productivity, and manufacturing cost efficiency across all plants within the operational stream.
Spearhead systematic problem-solving methodologies—such as 8D, 5-Why, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA)—across all organizational levels. Identify and address the underlying causes of production losses and quality deviations to ensure sustainable, long-term resolutions.
Food Safety & Quality ensures compliance with regulatory standards and internal protocols to uphold the highest standards of product integrity. This role is responsible for monitoring, auditing, and documenting processes to identify potential risks, implementing corrective actions, and maintaining detailed records of quality assessments. Candidates should possess a degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related field, along with relevant certifications such as HACCP or ISO 22000. Prior experience in quality assurance within the food industry is essential, along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. The position requires meticulous attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement in food safety practices.
Provide strategic leadership in food safety across the entire value stream, encompassing HACCP, GMP, allergen management, traceability, and food defense for both existing operations and new product trials.
Develop robust systems designed to meet the stringent criteria of globally recognized food safety certifications, such as FSSC 22000, BRC, KEYS, or other comparable standards.
Drives optimization of cost structures and maintains healthy profit margins through strategic analysis and decision-making.
Full manufacturing cost ownership extends across raw materials, utilities, labor, packaging, and waste, with heightened emphasis on the cost-to-manufacture for newly introduced products.
Implement and oversee programs focused on yield enhancement and waste reduction, delivering measurable, long-term improvements to manufacturing margins.
People & Capability
Direct, develop, and assemble a high-functioning team comprising supervisors, shift leads, and operators, establishing transparent accountability structures and fostering a robust culture of continuous improvement.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
With a minimum of eight to twelve years of progressive food manufacturing experience, candidates should possess at least four years in a senior leadership capacity within a value stream, plant, or operations environment.
Demonstrated expertise in Value Stream Management or lean manufacturing methodologies within a food or FMCG setting, encompassing value stream mapping, take time optimization, and systematic waste reduction initiatives.
Technical proficiency in snacks, extrusion processes, convenience foods, ready-to-eat products, or related food categories is a fundamental and indispensable requirement.
Demonstrated expertise in guiding new product development (NPD) through commercialization, encompassing manufacturing activities such as pilot line trials, process validation, yield optimization, and scaling operations to achieve full-scale production.
Food safety certification is mandatory, with a minimum requirement of HACCP certification; however, FSSC 22000 or BRC certification is highly preferred.
Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma Green Belt certification would be highly beneficial.
Demonstrated expertise in cost control, yielding significant reductions in manufacturing expenditures and improved profit margins.
A Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or Industrial Engineering is essential for this position.
WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER JOINING CASWELL INDUSTRIES LTD
At Caswell, we are committed to creating brands and operational frameworks that sustain families and communities. As a proudly Kenyan fast-moving consumer goods enterprise with a rich history and ambitious expansion goals, we provide a vibrant workplace where skilled professionals can drive impactful change. Joining Caswell entails:
Assuming leadership of an entire value stream at a senior level, empowered to drive its development to world-class excellence with full accountability, dedicated team, and allocated resources.
Joining a leading food company renowned for its consumer trust and an esteemed portfolio of household brands positions you within an industry leader dedicated to excellence.
At the convergence of lean manufacturing, food technology, and NPD commercialization lies a unique opportunity—one that is particularly scarce in Kenya’s current landscape.
Delivering results in a dynamic, high-performance setting where your strategic choices yield immediate and measurable commercial outcomes.
Actively driving the innovation and expansion of products utilized by millions of Kenyan households.
At this pivotal juncture for the business—where the operational frameworks you establish will define the company’s trajectory for the next ten years—you will play a pivotal role in shaping its future success.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
8 - 12 years
