Head of Projects – Consumer Foods Sector

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (Elephant House)

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), the manufacturer of Elephant House Beverages and Ice Creams and a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC, is seeking a high-caliber Head of Projects – Consumer Foods Sector.

In this role, you will lead the Supply Chain Project Management Office (PMO) for the Consumer Foods sector, managing the end-to-end delivery of strategic and operational initiatives across planning, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, and route-to-market. You will champion a culture of disciplined execution, ensuring that all projects deliver measurable value in cost optimization, service excellence, agility, sustainability, and risk mitigation. This position provides critical strategic direction and drives cross-functional alignment in a fast-paced, multi-channel FMCG environment.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Strategy & Execution: Build and manage the sector-wide supply chain project portfolio, ensuring it aligns with annual operating plans. Translate performance objectives (such as OTIF, cost-to-serve, and inventory health) into clear project charters, KPIs, and value cases.
Governance & Standardization: Establish and enforce project governance frameworks, including stage-gate processes, RACI models, and risk management. Standardize PMO tools and reporting to drive consistent, high-quality project delivery.
Financial & Commercial Oversight: Partner with Finance to structure project funding and track benefit realization. Ensure all CapEx and project spend adheres to strict internal controls, procurement standards, and audit requirements.
Transformation & Digital Enablement: Lead key initiatives in capacity optimization, manufacturing efficiency, and logistics productivity. Drive technology-enabled projects, including the integration of WMS, TMS, advanced planning systems, and automation.
Stakeholder & Change Management: Align leadership across plant, logistics, sales, and finance functions. Drive change adoption by implementing clear communication strategies, training, and continuous reinforcement of new operational workflows.
Compliance & Sustainability: Ensure all projects strictly adhere to FMCG quality, food safety, and EHS standards. Embed sustainability principles—such as waste reduction and energy efficiency—directly into project design and lifecycle management.
Vendor & Partner Management: Oversee RFP/RFQ processes and contract negotiations. Govern external partners, including consultants, OEMs, and systems integrators, to ensure on-time and value-accretive delivery.

Person Specifications

Qualifications: A BSc in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field. A postgraduate qualification is highly preferred.
Experience: 10–15 years of professional experience in FMCG or manufacturing supply chain roles, with at least 5–7 years specifically in PMO, program management, or cross-functional project leadership.
Technical Proficiency: Strong expertise in End-to-End FMCG supply chain operations (Planning, Manufacturing, Warehousing, Logistics). Demonstrated experience in leading technology-driven transformations using ERP, APS, WMS, and TMS platforms.
Functional Knowledge: Working knowledge of Total Quality Management (TQM), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), food safety standards, and relevant EHS/Industrial relations legislation.
Core Competencies: Exceptional business acumen, leadership capability, and the ability to build high-performance teams. You must demonstrate strong analytical, innovative, and problem-solving skills, with a high degree of attention to detail and adaptability.

How to Apply

If you possess the qualifications and vision to drive excellence in our supply chain, we invite you to join our team. Please submit your CV, including the names of two non-related referees, via the Elephant House Careers site.

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC | April 2026

More Details
Company Name : Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS)

To apply for this job please visit careers.keells.com.