General Manager

Griffith Foods; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in Johannesburg seeks a General Manager to drive strategic leadership and operational excellence. You will be responsible for P&L oversight, ensuring compliance, and engaging with stakeholders. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of senior leadership experience, preferably in FMCG or process manufacturing, along with a Bachelor's degree and an MBA. This role requires strong problem-solving skills and experience in managing cross-functional teams. Excellent compensation and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 10+ years senior leadership experience with proven P&L ownership in FMCG/process manufacturing.
• Demonstrated working-capital management expertise (AR, AP, DOI) and S&OP fluency.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in a matrix/dual-reporting environment.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the GCF strategy to deliver growth in revenue and margin.
• Ensure safe and efficient manufacturing and supply-chain performance.
• Hold full P&L ownership through EBIT and manage budgeting and forecasting.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational management

Financial oversight

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Business / Food / Engineering)

MBA

Job description

Job title : General Manager

Job Location : Gauteng, Johannesburg

Deadline : January 22, 2026

Quick Recommended Links

• Jobs by Location
• Job by industries

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute the GCF strategy to deliver growth in revenue, margin, and share.
• Set clear objectives and performance expectations for the leadership team.
• Translate strategy into annual plans with measurable outcomes.

Operational Management

• Ensure safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing and supply‑chain performance (service, quality, cost).
• Run a robust S&OP cadence that links demand, supply, and financial plans.
• Drive continuous improvement and productivity across all functions.

Financial Oversight

• Hold full P&L ownership through EBIT, not only GP.
• Manage working capital : set and deliver targets for AR (DSO), AP (DPO), and DOI; improve cash conversion and inventory health.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting; identify risk and opportunity.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build trusted relationships with key customers, suppliers, and partners.
• Represent GCF with internal and external stakeholders; communicate performance and plans transparently.

Corporate Governance

• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and internal control requirements (SoD, approvals, audit readiness).
• Uphold a culture of accountability, ethics, and safety.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead and develop a high‑performing cross‑functional team (Operations, Commercial, Finance, R&D, HR).
• Strengthening succession, engagement, and capability, coach leaders to outcomes.

Innovation and Growth

• Partner with R&D and Commercial to accelerate innovation and commercialization.
• Improve time‑to‑market and value realization from new products.

Problem Solving / Decision Making

• Makes timely, data‑driven decisions balancing revenue, margin, service, and cash.
• Resolves complex trade‑offs across production, inventory, and customer commitments.
• Proactively mitigates risk; escalates issues with clear options and impacts.

Working Relationships

Internal

• Dual reporting : GM, Griffith Foods Africa and GM, Crown Food Group.
• Supervises functional leaders across Manufacturing / Operations, Supply Chain, Sales / Commercial, Finance, R&D, and HR (direct and / or matrix).
• A peer Africa Leadership Team
• Frequent contact with IMEA Supply Chain; FP&A; QA / Regulatory; Shared‑Services teams.

External

• Key customers, suppliers, auditors, and regulators.

Qualification and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (Business / Food / Engineering);
• MBA added advantage

Experience

• 10+ years senior leadership with proven P&L ownership in FMCG / process manufacturing.
• Demonstrated working‑capital management expertise (AR, AP, DOI) and S&OP fluency.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams in a matrix / dual‑reporting environment.

Work Environment

• Primarily site / office‑based with periodic travel across plants, customers, and partners (domestic / international).
• Flexibility to meet operational and customer needs.
• Production / Manufacturing jobs