FMCG Plant Operations Leader — Lean, Quality & Safety

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive executive salary

Performance bonus

Medical aid

Provident fund

Life insurance

Housing or relocation assistance

Leadership training

State-of-the-art manufacturingfacility

Annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead our client's manufacturing facility in Bloemfontein, Free State. You will oversee production, quality control, maintenance, safety, and continuous improvement to deliver high-quality FMCG products.

You will drive Lean initiatives, manage budgets, and lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment, ensuring compliance with GMP/HACCP and health & safety standards while optimizing performance and costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 7 years in manufacturing operations, FMCG preferred.
• Experience managing a large production facility and diverse workforce.
• Strong GMP, HACCP knowledge in FMCG manufacturing.
• Experience implementing Lean or Six Sigma.
• Excellent leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in production planning software, ERP, and data analysis.
• Strong financial acumen and budget management.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of Free State industrial landscape is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure efficient production.
• Develop strategies to optimize output, minimize waste, and cut costs.
• Ensure adherence to quality standards, HACCP and health & safety protocols.
• Manage production schedules, workforce planning, and resources.
• Lead and motivate the production team toward continuous improvement.
• Oversee maintenance and equipment reliability to minimize downtime.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and other improvement methodologies.
• Monitor KPIs and take corrective actions as needed.
• Manage budgets for labor, materials, and overhead.
• Collaborate with supply chain, R&D, and sales for integration.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Industrial/Mechanical/Chemical) or Operations Management

Tools

ERP systems

Production planning software

Data analysis tools

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead our client's manufacturing facility in Bloemfontein, Free State. You will oversee production, quality control, maintenance, safety, and continuous improvement to deliver high-quality FMCG products.

You will drive Lean initiatives, manage budgets, and lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment, ensuring compliance with GMP/HACCP and health & safety standards while optimizing performance and costs.