Executive Operations Director, Food & Beverage – Paarl

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Life insurance

Generous annual leave

Professional development and training

Employee discounts on premium products

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Operations Director to lead production, supply chain, and quality across Paarl's food and beverage operations. The role demands strategic oversight of manufacturing, packaging, and distribution, with a focus on safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.

You will direct a senior team, collaborate with R&D, sales, and marketing, and drive cost-efficient processes while upholding top-tier quality standards.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in a relevant field and 10+ years of operations leadership experience.
• Proven track record in large-scale food and beverage production and supply chains.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic operational plans to meet production, quality, and delivery targets.
• Oversee manufacturing, processing, and packaging operations ensuring safety and quality.
• Manage end-to-end supply chain including sourcing, inventory, logistics, and distribution.
• Lead quality assurance and food safety programs in compliance with regulations.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing operations team and foster a safety culture.
• Optimize processes to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and control costs across facilities.
• Develop budgets, monitor KPIs, and report financial performance to senior management.
• Collaborate with R&D, sales, and marketing to support new product development and launches.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Ensure environmental compliance and sustainable operational practices.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operations management

Lean Six Sigma

HACCP / FSSC 22000

Budgeting & cost control

Process optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Operations Management / Food Science / Engineering / MBA

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Operations Director to lead production, supply chain, and quality across Paarl's food and beverage operations. The role demands strategic oversight of manufacturing, packaging, and distribution, with a focus on safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.

You will direct a senior team, collaborate with R&D, sales, and marketing, and drive cost-efficient processes while upholding top-tier quality standards.