Head of Projects - Consumer Foods Sector
CEYLON COLD STORES PLC
Head of Projects – Consumer Foods Sector
Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), manufacturer of Elephant House Beverages and Ice Creams is a leading consumer food company in Sri Lanka. CCS is a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC.
The company is seeking a suitable candidate to fill the position of Head of Projects – Consumer Foods Sector. The selected candidate is responsible for leading the Supply Chain Project Management Office (PMO) for the CF sector, ensuring end-to-end delivery of strategic and operational initiatives across planning, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, and route-to-market. The role drives prioritization, funding, governance, and disciplined execution to deliver measurable value in cost optimization, service excellence, agility, sustainability, and risk mitigation.
It provides strategic direction, strengthens cross-functional alignment, and ensures effective stakeholder engagement across the business. The role also champions a high-performance delivery culture, builds PMO capabilities, and ensures initiatives are closely aligned with the overall supply chain transformation agenda in a dynamic, multi-channel FMCG environment.
Job Responsibilities
Build and manage the sector-wide supply chain project portfolio, ensuring alignment with business priorities and annual operating plans; Translate performance objectives (service levels/OTIF, cost-to-serve, inventory health, responsiveness) into clear project charters, KPIs, and value cases; Partner with cross-functional leaders to ensure the portfolio supports growth, operational excellence, and end-to-end supply chain maturity.
Establish and enforce project governance including stage gates, RACI models, risk registers, and benefits realization plans; Lead regular portfolio review forums with senior leadership, ensuring visibility of progress, risks, and interventions; Standardize PMO methodologies, tools, reporting cadence, and learning repositories to drive consistent delivery excellence.
Collaborate with Finance to structure project funding, business cases, and benefit-tracking mechanisms; Ensure compliance with internal controls, procurement standards, contracting norms, and audit requirements; Maintain strong commercial and CapEx governance practices, ensuring all project spend delivers intended value.
Lead transformation initiatives spanning demand/supply planning, capacity optimization, manufacturing efficiency, warehousing productivity, logistics performance, and route-to-market effectiveness; Drive analytics-enabled projects leveraging advanced planning systems, WMS/TMS, network models, automation, and digital dashboards; Advance S&OP/IBP maturity by aligning planning processes, capacity planning, and service/inventory strategies with project outcomes.
Manage RFP/RFQ processes, commercial evaluations, and contract negotiations for technology, equipment, and consulting services; Govern external partners (consultants, OEMs, systems integrators) to ensure on-time, on-budget, value-accretive delivery; Oversee implementation of technology solutions such as automation, cold-chain assets, planning tools, and digital visibility platforms.
Align plant, logistics, sales, and finance stakeholders on project requirements, readiness, training, and SOP/process changes; Ensure effective communication of progress, benefits, and impacts to senior leadership through structured dashboards and reviews; Anchor change adoption using clear leading indicators, capability building, and continuous reinforcement of new ways of working.
Ensure all projects adhere to FMCG regulatory, quality, food safety, and EHS standards; Integrate sustainability principles including waste reduction, energy efficiency, and responsible sourcing into project design and delivery; Embed compliance practices throughout the project lifecycle in line with sector standards.
Person Specifications
- BSc in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or related fields; a postgraduate degree is preferred with 10–15 years of professional experience in FMCG or manufacturing supply chain roles, including at least 5–7 years in PMO, program management, or cross-functional project leadership. Exposure to ERP, APS, WMS, TMS, and analytics platforms; ability to lead technology-enabled transformation.
- Business understanding in Supply Chain Operations; End-to-End Value Chain Integration in FMCG Industry.
- Sound knowledge in End-to-End FMCG Supply Chain (Planning, Manufacturing, Warehousing, Logistics, Route-to-Market), ERP, APS, WMS, TMS, and analytics platforms ability to lead technology-enabled transformation, Total Quality Management, Total Productive Maintenance, Food Standards and related regulatory requirements, Industrial Relations Legislation Environment, Health and Safety legislation.
- Business Acumen; Leadership and Building High Performance Teams; Analytical Skills; Innovative; Communication; Adaptability; Negotiation; Decision making and problem solving; Organization; Attention to detail
If you are confident that you possess the above requirement, please send your cv, which includes the names of two non-related referees. Click on the advert now to join our team via Elephant House Careers site.