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
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,