PONRAJ SHANMUGIAH
Karaikudi,Tamil Nadu
Summary
As a highly skilled Plant Manager with over 25 years of experience in the Cashew industry, I possess a strong track record of success in overseeing production processes and achieving targets. I am detail-oriented, organized, and possess excellent problem-solving skills which have contributed to maintaining high-quality standards in every project I have managed. My expertise in budget management, resource allocation, and project planning has resulted in cost savings of up to 15%. My passion for continuous improvement, combined with my ability to handle multiple tasks under pressure, makes me an ideal fit for the role of Production Manager.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Plant Manager
Foods'co SA
04.2025 - Current
- Oversee production operations to ensure efficiency and quality standards are met.
- Implement process improvements that enhance productivity and reduce waste across manufacturing lines.
- Develop and maintain operational budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness in all plant activities.
- Lead cross-functional teams to address challenges and optimize workflow within the facility.
- Ideated and implemented strategic visions to create and improve production, quality, and labor utilization throughout the facility. Provided the leadership needed to ensure effective utilization of plant personnel and equipment.
- Collaborated with functional departments in the implementation of all continuous improvement activities.
- Drove business process improvements, improved quality, and reduced the total cost of ownership.
Production Manager
Malian Cashew Corporation Sarl
03.2021 - 04.2025
- As the Production Manager at Malian Cashew Corporation Sarl in Mali, I was responsible for overseeing the production process from start to finish. This included managing a team of production workers, ensuring quality control standards were met, and implementing efficient production strategies.
- Managed production team
- Ensuring the consistent production of premium-quality cashew
- Implemented efficient production strategies
- Monitored production schedules
- Oversaw inventory management
- Conducted regular product inspections
- Providing essential training to operators and technicians for efficient machinery handling
- Maintaining adequate manpower and optimizing workflow processes
- Equipping supervisors and section In-charges with the necessary skills to achieve daily targets, effectively manage workers, uphold stringent quality standards, and minimize waste
- Implementing robust reporting systems and quality control measures throughout the entire production process, from raw cashew nuts to finished goods
Production Manager
Usibras Ghana Ltd
03.2018 - 02.2021
- As a Production Manager at Usibras Ghana Ltd, I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the production process(from RCN receiving to finishing goods exporting), from planning and scheduling to quality control and budget management. During my time at the company, I successfully managed multiple production projects, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality products while maintaining cost efficiency.
- Led a team of production staff
- Developed and implemented production plans
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations
- Streamlined production processes
- Monitored inventory levels and procurement
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams
- Conducted regular performance evaluations
- Maintained and updated production logs to track production statistics and performance data
- Implemented an innovative production process that saves the production costs
Country Head, Raw Cashew Procurement
Silver X International
03.2014 - 02.2018
- As the Country Head of Raw Cashew Procurement at Silver X International in IVC from 2014-03 to 2018-02, I was responsible for leading the procurement team and managing the sourcing of raw cashews from local farmers and suppliers. This role required strong communication and negotiation skills to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of high-quality raw cashews for our international clients.
- Overseas procurement management with direct farmers' quality control, moisture control, and LBS management, ensuring optimal storage conditions in the warehouse
- Efficient warehouse operations and maintenance
- Reporting and planning of targets, as well as effective manpower management
- Generated detailed Bill of Materials (BOMs) for assemblies that facilitated efficient procurement and manufacturing
- Developed a database of vendors and products to enable efficient and cost-effective procurement
- Sourced raw cashews from local suppliers
- Negotiated contracts with farmers
- Ensured timely delivery of high-quality product
Production Incharge
Rals International Vietnam
04.2008 - 01.2014
- During my time as a Production Incharge at Rals International Vietnam(125ton capacity Plant), I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of production and ensuring that operations ran smoothly. This role required strong leadership skills, attention to detail, and the ability to effectively communicate with cross-functional teams.
- Managed production processes and schedules
- Overseeing all cashew processing plant operations
- RCN purchases, quality assurance, moisture control, and warehouse operations management
- RCN grading and cooking, manpower control, workflow and quality standards, and ensuring optimal outputs for subsequent processes
- Shelling kernel quality assurance, output monitoring, machine maintenance planning, technician training, breakdown control, spare parts maintenance, and reporting
- Dryer, cooling input and output monitoring, moisture control, reporting, peeling machine maintenance, reduction of broken and unpeeled percentages-, unpeeled work management, manpower control, quality control, and maintaining plant hygiene
- Oversaw quality control procedures
- Streamlined supply chain management
- Trained and supervised production team
Production Incharge
Rajkumar impex Pvt Ltd
12.1999 - 12.2007
- As the Production Incharge at Rajkumar impex Pvt Ltd in India, I oversaw all aspects of production for the company from 1999-12 to 2007-12. This role required strong leadership skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage a team effectively.
- Managed production operations
- Ensured timely delivery of products
- Monitored quality control processes
- Trained and supervised production staff
- Developed and implemented efficient production strategies
- Maintained inventory levels and optimized cost efficiency
- Created a system for tracking production data that improved visibility into production KPIs
- Assist in the setup and breakdown of all production equipment, ensuring a safe and efficient production environment
- Assist in the setup and breakdown of all production equipment, ensuring a safe and efficient production environment
Education
Bachelor of Arts (BA) -
Annamalai University
Karaikudi01.1997
Diploma - Computer Application
Alagappa University
Karaikudi01.1999
Skills
- Hazard analysis and critical control points(HACCP) Expert
- Project Management Expert
- Leadership Expert
- Quality Assurance Expert
- Cost Control Expert
- Risk Assessment Expert
- Time Management Expert
- Budgeting Expert
- Communication Expert
- Team Building Expert
- Scheduling Expert
- Process Improvement Expert
- Inventory Management Expert
- Supply Chain Management Expert
- Lean Manufacturing Expert
- Microsoft office Expert
- Microsoft excel Expert
- Safety management
Languages
French
English
Vietnamese
Malayalam
Tamil
Timeline
Plant Manager
Foods'co SA
04.2025 - Current
Production Manager
Malian Cashew Corporation Sarl
03.2021 - 04.2025
Production Manager
Usibras Ghana Ltd
03.2018 - 02.2021
Country Head, Raw Cashew Procurement
Silver X International
03.2014 - 02.2018
Production Incharge
Rals International Vietnam
04.2008 - 01.2014
Production Incharge
Rajkumar impex Pvt Ltd
12.1999 - 12.2007
Bachelor of Arts (BA) -
Annamalai University
Diploma - Computer Application
Alagappa University
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