Food Factory Manager

Fouche & Co Recruitment; Durban; On-site; ZAR 502,000 - 949,000; Full time

Job summary

Fouche & Co Recruitment is seeking a Plant and Wholesale Division Manager for a leading meat processing, wholesale, and retail enterprise operating a central plant and a network of butcheries in Durban. You will direct production, cold-chain integrity, and store replenishment to ensure safe, compliant operations and profitability.

You will own production plans, oversee processing departments, manage P&L drivers, and ensure HACCP and Meat Safety Act compliance.

Qualifications

• National Diploma or Degree in relevant field.
• HACCP and food-safety training.
• Min 4 years in factory/plant manager role.
• Knowledge of SA meat hygiene legislation and yield management.

Responsibilities

• Own daily and weekly production plans to meet store orders and wholesale demand.
• Direct processing departments including receiving, boning, cutting, packing, and dispatch.
• Manage factory P&L drivers, yield, labor efficiency, and waste reduction.
• Ensure strict adherence to food safety, hygiene, and regulatory standards such as HACCP and the Meat Safety Act.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-shift workforce while fostering a strong safety culture.
• Oversee the wholesale channel and ensure reliable store replenishment and high OTIF targets.

Skills

People management

Financial literacy

Yield management

Food safety mindset

Education

National Diploma or Degree in Food Technology / Meat Science / Operations Management

HACCP training

Job description

A leading integrated meat processing, wholesale, and retail enterprise operating a central plant and a network of butcheries.

Direct the overall safe, compliant, and profitable operations of the meat processing plant and wholesale division, managing production, cold-chain integrity, and store replenishment.

Key responsibilitiesÂ

Own daily and weekly production plans to meet store orders and wholesale demand efficiently. Direct processing departments including receiving, boning, cutting, packing, and dispatch. Manage factory P&L drivers, yield, labor efficiency, and waste reduction. Ensure strict adherence to food safety, hygiene, and regulatory standards such as HACCP and the Meat Safety Act. Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-shift workforce while fostering a strong safety culture. Oversee the wholesale channel and ensure reliable store replenishment and high OTIF (on-time-in-full) targets.

Requirements Â

National Diploma or Degree in Food Technology, Meat Science, Operations Management, or equivalent. Essential HACCP and food-safety training; butcher trade qualification strongly preferred. Minimum of 4 years of experience in a factory or plant manager role within a cutting plant or food processing facility. Sound knowledge of South African meat hygiene legislation, yield management, and cold-chain operations.

AttributesÂ

Strong operational presence on the floor and a zero-tolerance approach to food safety compromises.

Commercial instinct with solid numerical and financial literacy.

Calm under pressure with exceptional capability to manage peak seasonal demands.

Fair, firm, and credible leadership style capable of maintaining high room standards.

Salary

R45 000 - R85 000 CTC monthly