Head of Operations

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 1. 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 2. 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 3. 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 4. 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