Madhawa Wijeratne
Colombo,11
Summary
Senior manufacturing leader with over 10 years of progressive experience in large-scale, high-complexity manufacturing environments, including multi-line and multi-technology operations. Proven site-level leader with full accountability for Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, and People and a strong track record in operational excellence and financial stewardship. Experienced in leading structured and unionized workforces within globally governed manufacturing systems, balancing local execution with regional and global stakeholder expectations. Recognized for driving sustainable performance improvement, cultural transformation, and change initiatives that deliver measurable business results.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Product Development & Technology
Nestle Lanka Limited
07.2024 - Current
- Lead the development and execution of a long-term Innovation and Renovation (I&R) strategy in collaboration with Business Units, ensuring alignment with Nestlé standards and local regulatory requirements.
- Manage the end-to-end introduction of new products, processes, and packaging from R&D through to factory deployment, ensuring technical readiness, compliance, and successful scale-up.
- Drive product, process, and supplier optimization projects, providing technical direction to the factory operational team, and ensuring systematic knowledge transfer to eliminate the root causes of technical issues.
- Lead sustainable packaging initiatives, including the reduction of virgin plastic usage and the implementation of mono-layer laminates, while ensuring machinability and line performance.
- Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary PD&T team through structured coaching, performance feedback, and succession planning.
- Strengthen cross-functional collaboration between R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations to accelerate innovation and improve time to market.
Head of Production
Nestle Lanka Limited
01.2023 - 06.2024
- Held full operational accountability for safety, quality, cost, delivery, and people across six product categories: Beverage Manufacturing, Powder Filling & Packing, and Culinary operations.
- Led a workforce of over 250 operational and technical employees across multiple shifts within a structured industrial relations environment.
- Managed annual cost of production exceeding LKR 25 billion, delivering productivity improvement, cost optimization, and budget adherence.
- Developed and executed site operating plans, departmental budgets, and performance targets aligned to medium-term business plans and S&OP requirements.
- Ensured full compliance with HSE standards, legal requirements, and internal manufacturing policies, reinforcing a strong safety-first culture.
- Drove operational excellence initiatives to improve line efficiency, reduce waste, enhance asset utilization, and stabilize production performance.
- Led plant maintenance strategy and asset management in line with reliability and business continuity requirements.
- Built a high-performance culture through effective delegation, accountability, coaching, and employee engagement.
- Provided leadership to ensure successful execution of audits, compliance, and governance requirements within a global manufacturing organization.
Senior Plant Manager (Powdered Beverages & Powder Filling & Packing)
Nestle Lanka Limited
08.2020 - 12.2022
- Provided end-to-end leadership for a complex, high-volume manufacturing operation, ensuring consistent delivery against customer, quality, cost, and service targets.
- Implemented structured performance management systems, daily management routines, and continuous improvement frameworks to drive operational discipline.
- Led culture change initiatives focused on accountability, capability development, and employee engagement.
- Collaborated with regional and global stakeholders to implement best practices and standardised operating models.
Manager Production (Powdered Beverages + Filling & Packing)
Nestle Lanka Limited
02.2020 - 07.2020
Assistant Manager Production (Powdered Beverages)
Nestle Lanka Limited
05.2019 - 01.2020
Assistant Manager (Milk Powder – Filling & Packing)
Nestle Lanka Limited
10.2017 - 04.2019
Senior Production Executive (Milk Powder – Filling & Packing)
Nestle Lanka Limited
04.2017 - 09.2017
Management Trainee Technical
Nestle Lanka Limited
10.2015 - 03.2017
Education
MBA - Management of Technology
University of Moratuwa
07-2025
Bachelor - Chemical & Process Engineering
University of Moratuwa
04-2015
Advanced Diploma - Accounting and Business Management
CIMA
01-2015
Skills
- Manufacturing Operations Leadership
- Process Optimization and Continuous Improvement
- Cost Management and Budgeting
- Safety and Quality Systems
- Cross-functional Stakeholder Management
- Project and Change Management
- Team Leadership and Capability Development
REFERENCE
- Indika Chandrasiri, Director – Group Supply Chain, LAUGFS Holdings Limited, Tel: +94 76 076 1763
- Jayantha Karunaratne, Director of Operations, Kandetiya Agro Products, Tel: +94777517260
Timeline
Head of Product Development & Technology
Nestle Lanka Limited
07.2024 - Current
Head of Production
Nestle Lanka Limited
01.2023 - 06.2024
Senior Plant Manager (Powdered Beverages & Powder Filling & Packing)
Nestle Lanka Limited
08.2020 - 12.2022
Manager Production (Powdered Beverages + Filling & Packing)
Nestle Lanka Limited
02.2020 - 07.2020
Assistant Manager Production (Powdered Beverages)
Nestle Lanka Limited
05.2019 - 01.2020
Assistant Manager (Milk Powder – Filling & Packing)
Nestle Lanka Limited
10.2017 - 04.2019
Senior Production Executive (Milk Powder – Filling & Packing)
Nestle Lanka Limited
04.2017 - 09.2017
Management Trainee Technical
Nestle Lanka Limited
10.2015 - 03.2017
MBA - Management of Technology
University of Moratuwa
Bachelor - Chemical & Process Engineering
University of Moratuwa
Advanced Diploma - Accounting and Business Management
CIMA