Richard Andrew Ohlmus
Tea Planter/ Superintendent
KOSWATTE
Summary
An Operations Management professional with 26 years of experience leading large-scale agricultural and manufacturing operations. Brings over 12 years of senior leadership experience, managing 300+ employees with end-to-end accountability for Budgeting, Cost Control, Production Planning, Manufacturing, Human Resource, Logistics, Quality Assurance, and Occupational Health & Safety. Proven capability in driving operational stability, optimising labour-intensive environments, and aligning production output with market and business requirements.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Superintendent
Browns Plantations
01.2012 - 01.2025
- Provided full operational leadership for large-scale estate operations, managing a 300+ workforce in a highly labour-intensive environment.
- Held end-to-end responsibility for daily operations, including field activities, harvesting, factory manufacturing, administration, and logistics.
- Planned and executed harvesting and production schedules to consistently meet yield, quality, and delivery targets aligned with market requirements.
- Oversaw factory operations and manufacturing processes, ensuring efficiency, quality standards, and production continuity.
- Exercised strong cost control and budget discipline, meeting output targets while managing operational expenditure.
- Led continuous productivity and efficiency improvement initiatives across field and manufacturing operations.
- Ensured strict adherence to Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) standards, achieving zero major safety incidents.
- Managed estate infrastructure, fleet, machinery, and production assets, ensuring operational reliability and preventive maintenance.
- Oversaw HR operations including attendance management, payroll inputs, compliance, and workforce discipline.
- Supported budget preparation, cost tracking, and operational performance reporting for senior management.
- Managed complex, multi-dimensional operations with minimal escalation to head office, demonstrating strong decision-making and operational autonomy.
Assistant Superintendent
Finlays Tea Estates
01.1999 - 01.2012
- Achieved Highest ever profit for Madulkelle Estate for season 2024/2025.
- Achieved Highest ever profit for Newburgh Estate for season 2022/2023.
- Implemented Rainforest Alliance certification on Gordon Estate in the year 2017.
- Implemented Rainforest Alliance certification on Rookatenne Estate in the Year 2010/11.
- Initiated Rainforest Alliance certification on Oodoowerre Estate in the Year 2009.
- Achieved the Highest Ever Yield for Goatfell Division of Concordia Estate in the Year 2006.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
01-2021
Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health - undefined
01.2017
Certificate in Tea Manufacturing, Factory practices, Language Proficiency and Plantation accounting and Financial Management - undefined
01.2012
Skills
End-to-End Operations Management
Budgeting
Cost Control
Financial Discipline
Workforce Leadership
Manufacturing Planning
Production Planning
Field Operations
Yield Management
Quality Control
Market Alignment
HR Recruitment
Training
Performance Reviews
Occupational Health & Safety
Fleet Maintenance
Asset Maintenance
Property Maintenance
Procurement
Logistics Management
Compliance
Risk Management
Industrial Relations
Performance Reporting
Management Presentations
Production Planning Systems
Yield Planning Systems
Cost Tracking
Variance Analysis
Workforce Attendance Monitoring
Productivity Monitoring
Compliance Reporting
Inventory Management
MS Excel
Operational Dashboards
Manual Systems
ERP-based Systems
Key Operational Achievements
- Achieved Highest ever profit for Madulkelle Estate for season 2024/2025.
- Achieved Highest ever profit for Newburgh Estate for season 2022/2023.
- Implemented Rainforest Alliance certification on Gordon Estate in the year 2017.
- Implemented Rainforest Alliance certification on Rookatenne Estate in the Year 2010/11.
- Initiated Rainforest Alliance certification on Oodoowerre Estate in the Year 2009.
- Achieved the Highest Ever Yield for Goatfell Division of Concordia Estate in the Year 2006.
Education And Professional Development
- 2021, Master of Business Administration, Cardiff Metropolitan University
- 2017, Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health, The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon
- 2012, Certificate in Tea Manufacturing, Factory practices, Language Proficiency and Plantation accounting and Financial Management, National Institute of Plantation Management
Systems Tools And Operational Methods
- Production & Yield Planning Systems
- Budgeting, Cost Tracking & Variance Analysis
- Workforce Attendance & Productivity Monitoring
- Quality Control & Compliance Reporting
- Procurement & Inventory Management
- MS Excel, Operational Dashboards, Manual & ERP-based Systems
Leadership And Governance
- Overall operational leadership with full site accountability
- Employee and union relations management
- Operational risk management and crisis response
- Workforce governance, welfare, and regulatory compliance
Core Operations Competencies
- End-to-End Operations Management
- Budgeting, Cost Control & Financial Discipline
- Workforce Leadership (300+ employees)
- Manufacturing & Production Planning
- Field Operations & Yield Management
- Quality Control & Market Alignment
- HR: Recruitment, Training & Performance Reviews
- Occupational Health & Safety (OHS)
- Fleet, Asset & Property Maintenance
- Procurement, Logistics Management
- Compliance, Risk & Industrial Relations
- Performance Reporting & Management Presentations
Accomplishments
- Achieved Highest ever profit for Madulkelle Estate for season 2024/2025.
- Achieved Highest ever profit for Newburgh Estate for season 2022/2023.
- Implemented Rainforest Alliance certification on Gordon Estate in the year 2017.
- Implemented Rainforest Alliance certification on Rookatenne Estate in the Year 2010/11.
- Initiated Rainforest Alliance certification on Oodoowerre Estate in the Year 2009.
- Achieved the Highest Ever Yield for Goatfell Division of Concordia Estate in the Year 2006.
Timeline
Superintendent - Browns Plantations
01.2012 - 01.2025
Assistant Superintendent - Finlays Tea Estates
01.1999 - 01.2012
The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon - Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health,
National Institute of Plantation Management - Certificate in Tea Manufacturing, Factory practices, Language Proficiency and Plantation accounting and Financial Management,
Cardiff Metropolitan University - Master of Business Administration,