Hands-On Meat Factory Operations Manager

Protea Placements; George; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Protea Placements is recruiting a Meat Factory Manager for a Knysna-based meat processing and butchery business. The role requires hands-on, production-focused leadership with strong knowledge of meat processing, packaging, quality control and team management.

The successful candidate will oversee daily operations, ensure food safety and quality, drive production planning, and optimize efficiency while maintaining cost controls and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in meat processing, production or factory management in food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of meat cutting, deboning, portioning, processing and packaging procedures.
• Experience managing production lines, factory personnel and daily production targets.
• Sound understanding of HACCP, food safety, hygiene regulations and QA standards.
• Knowledge of cold chain, temperature control and product traceability.
• Stock control, yield management and waste reduction abilities.
• Experience with production planning, equipment maintenance and workflow optimisation.
• Excellent leadership, staff training and performance-management skills.
• Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Valid driver’s licence and reliable transport.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily meat processing and factory production operations.
• Oversee meat cutting, deboning, portioning, processing, packaging and dispatch prep.
• Plan and coordinate production schedules to meet demand.
• Supervise factory personnel, allocate duties and monitor performance.
• Ensure adherence to food safety, hygiene, quality and safety standards.
• Monitor yields, losses, stock usage and waste reduction.
• Maintain production records, stock reports and quality documentation.
• Oversee cold storage, temperature monitoring and handling procedures.
• Coordinate machinery maintenance, cleaning schedules and factory readiness.
• Identify improvements to production efficiency, consistency and costs.

Skills

Meat processing

Factory management

Food safety (HACCP)

Quality assurance

Team leadership

Production planning

Stock management

Waste reduction

Documentation & reporting

Problem solving

Job description

Protea Placements is recruiting a Meat Factory Manager for a Knysna-based meat processing and butchery business. The role requires hands-on, production-focused leadership with strong knowledge of meat processing, packaging, quality control and team management.

The successful candidate will oversee daily operations, ensure food safety and quality, drive production planning, and optimize efficiency while maintaining cost controls and regulatory compliance.