Company: Selegroven AG
Location: Bironico, Ticino, Switzerland (on-site)
Employment type: Full-time, permanent (100%) Reports to: VP Board of Directors
About us
Since 1980, Mondarom has been creating and producing flavours that enrich confectionery, chewing gum worldwide. From our site in Bironico, Ticino, we supply customers across the globe. We combine the agility of a compact, hands-on team with the standards and reach of an international organisation.
Your role
As Plant Manager you hold overall operational and business responsibility for our Bironico site and act as its legal representative. You lead a team of 6 direct and 7 indirect reports, sit on the Management Team, and are the driving force behind our operational and commercial performance.
This is a genuinely broad role. In a site of our size, you will not only set direction — you will also know every process in depth and be able to step in wherever needed.
Your responsibilities
- Operational and financial control: Monitor and steer site performance and finances against the approved budget; lead budgeting, latest estimates, invoicing, accounting and tax topics in cooperation with external partners.
- Reporting: Provide regular, complete reporting on operations and market performance to Group leadership, in line with internal and external requirements.
- People leadership: Recruit, develop and retain a motivated team; create the conditions for people to perform their work responsibly and ethically; lead by example in line with our leadership principles.
- Company representation: Represent Mondarom with customers, suppliers, authorities and Group stakeholders; negotiate effective terms and maintain strong links with local authorities, associations and agencies.
- Quality, health, safety and environment: Ensure compliance with all HSE, quality and statutory regulations; lead risk assessments and safety initiatives; ensure adequate resources for the Food Safety Management System and contribute to its effectiveness.
- Audits and certifications: Lead all internal and external audits — FSSC, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, SEDEX, CTPAT/FDA, RSPO, HALAL, SUVA, Laboratorio Cantonale, fire authority, chemical storage as well as financial audits.
- Continuous improvement: Drive Lean/Six Sigma across the site, facilitate improvement projects and train colleagues to White/Yellow/Green Belt level.
- Engineering, maintenance and IT: Take ownership of building and factory engineering and maintenance (no dedicated on-site team), and of IT topics and projects including ERP upgrades and infrastructure.
- Business development: Monitor economic and market trends, identify opportunities for growth, and balance short-term delivery against long-term objectives.
- Cross-functional backup: Maintain in-depth knowledge of Production, Warehouse, Procurement, Planning & Scheduling, Shipping, Finance & Accounting and QC, and act as backup where required.
- Local HR: Oversee local HR administration including payroll, on-call arrangements, social insurance, regulations and handbook updates.
What you bring
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry or Science is a must for the role and legal requirements
- Senior operational management experience in the flavor or food industry
- Proven track record of leading people and managing resources at senior level
- Solid understanding of production planning, continuous improvement and optimisation tools, logistics, procurement, quality, food safety certifications and SHE
- Sound grasp of financial management and general management principles, with strong commercial awareness
- Good working knowledge of food legislation; familiarity with flavour raw materials is an advantage
- Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills, sound judgement and effective decision-making
- Excellent communication, negotiation and organisational skills
- Fluent English is required; Italian is a strong advantage
- Valid Swiss work permit or EU/EFTA citizenship
What we offer
- A broad, high-autonomy leadership role with genuine end-to-end responsibility for a site
- A seat on the Management Team and direct access to Group leadership
- The backing of an international group combined with the short decision paths of a small site
- A permanent, full-time position in Ticino
- Attractive compensation and benefits package
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
