General Manager

Manpower SA; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established food manufacturing company in Cape Town is seeking a General Manager to lead all functions, including operations, finance, and quality. This role involves overseeing a team, managing performance, and driving strategic planning to ensure operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a General Manager or similar senior leadership role.
• Strong background in manufacturing operations and budgeting.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of 50–100 employees across various departments.
• Oversee daily manufacturing operations to ensure timely production.
• Manage budgets and identify cost-saving opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Operations

Business Management

Manufacturing

Education

BSc/BCom in Operations, Business Management or related field

Tools

ERP Software

Project Management Software

Job description

Are you a strategic, operations-driven leader with a passion for people, process, and performance?
If you're excited by the idea of overseeing a full-scale manufacturing operation, leading cross-functional teams, and aligning daily execution with long-term strategy, this opportunity is for you!

A well-established and fast-paced food manufacturing company based in Cape Town is seeking a General Manager to lead the business across all functions — including operations, finance, quality, compliance, and people. This is a leadership role that requires both a high-level strategic mindset and a hands-on approach to drive operational excellence and team performance.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and inspire a team of 50–100 employees across various departments
• Set performance expectations, manage team development, and cultivate a collaborative workplace
• Oversee recruitment, hiring, and onboarding processes

Operational Management

• Oversee daily manufacturing operations to ensure smooth, efficient, and timely production
• Monitor production KPIs and cost controls; implement strategies for continuous improvement
• Ensure adherence to production schedules, safety, and quality standards

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Translate strategic goals into actionable plans and business processes
• Drive productivity, innovation, and alignment across departments
• Set company-wide policies and ensure compliance with industry standards

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Maintain and enforce quality control systems
• Ensure compliance with all food safety and regulatory requirements

Financial Oversight

• Manage budgets, analyse financial reports, and identify cost-saving opportunities
• Track financial performance and ensure profitability targets are met

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with QA, maintenance, logistics, procurement, and sales to align priorities
• Communicate regularly with senior leadership and key stakeholders

Minimum Requirements:

• Proven experience as a General Manager or in a similar senior leadership role
• BSc/BCom in Operations, Business Management, or a related field
• Strong background in manufacturing operations, budgeting, and process improvement
• Sound knowledge of key business functions including finance, HR, and procurement
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills
• Strong analytical thinking and a problem-solving mindset

Desirable:

• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement tools
• Experience using ERP, database, or project management software

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Desired Skills:

• management
• operations
• business management
• manufacturing