Food Factory Manager

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

Job summary

Fouche & Co Recruitment seeks a seasoned Plant Manager to lead a meat processing, wholesale and retail operation in KwaZulu-Natal. You will direct production, protect cold-chain integrity, and drive store replenishment while sustaining safety and profitability.

Responsibilities include planning, directing departments, optimizing yield and labor efficiency, and ensuring HACCP and Meat Safety Act compliance; lead multi-shift teams and maintain OTIF targets.

Qualifications

• National Diploma or Degree in Food Technology, Meat Science, or Operations Management.
• HACCP and food-safety training required; butcher trade qualification preferred.
• Minimum 4 years' experience in a factory/plant manager role in meat processing.

Responsibilities

• Own daily and weekly production plans to meet store orders and wholesale demand.
• Direct processing departments: receiving, boning, cutting, packing and dispatch.
• Manage P&L drivers, yield, labour efficiency and waste reduction.
• Ensure HACCP, hygiene, and regulatory standards compliance.
• Lead multi-shift workforce and maintain safety culture.
• Oversee wholesale channel and ensure reliable store replenishment and OTIF targets.

Skills

Operational leadership

Numerical literacy

Food safety focus

People management

Education

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

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