Industrial Kitchen Manager

The HR Company; Durban; On-site; ZAR 50 000 - 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A well-known recruitment firm is seeking a seasoned Production Supervisor for an industrial kitchen based in Durban, South Africa. The role involves planning production runs, overseeing food safety compliance, and leading a team of 20 staff members. Ideal candidates should have a relevant qualification in Food Technology and at least 5 years of experience in a similar role within a food manufacturing environment. Strong knowledge of HACCP and excellent leadership skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 (Matric) with relevant tertiary qualification in Food Technology, Culinary Arts, or Production Management.
• Minimum 5 years experience in a similar role in an industrial kitchen or food manufacturing.
• Knowledge of HACCP / FSSC22000 food safety certification is required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate daily production runs to meet targets.
• Monitor kitchen productivity and ensure efficient use of resources.
• Oversee food safety standards and conduct hygiene checks.
• Lead a team of 20 kitchen staff and conduct performance reviews.
• Implement corrective actions for production and quality issues.

Skills

Production scheduling

Team leadership

Food safety compliance

HACCP knowledge

Basic computer skills

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in Food Technology or related field

Job description

Key Functions

• Plan, schedule, and coordinate daily production runs to meet output targets and align with the Facility Production plan
• Monitor and drive kitchen productivity, ensuring efficient use of labour and resources
• Enforce strict compliance with timekeeping and production schedules
• Ensure consistent preparation and portioning of all recipes according to standard operating procedures
• Oversee the implementation and adherence to food safety standards (HACCP, FSSC 22000, etc.)
• Conduct regular checks to ensure hygiene, temperature control, storage, and allergen protocols are met
• Collaborate with the Quality Assurance team to resolve any product quality issues
• Ensure consistent quality and presentation across all product batches
• Lead, supervise, and develop a team of 20 kitchen staff
• Conduct performance reviews, identify training needs, and implement skills development plans
• Promote a culture of discipline, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Monitor and report on key production metrics (yield, output, waste, downtime, etc.)
• Implement corrective actions when production targets or quality standards are not met
• Maintain accurate batch production records and inventory logs
• Collaborate with the R&D or Product Development team to test new recipes and scale-up production trials
• Provide practical feedback on ingredient functionality, process adjustments, and cost‑saving opportunities
• Ensure new product rollouts are integrated seamlessly into production processes

Key Requirements

• Grade 12 (Matric) with relevant tertiary qualification in Food Technology, Industrial Catering Management, Culinary Arts, or Production Management
• Minimum 5 years experience in a similar role within an industrial kitchen or frozen food manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of HACCP / FSSC22000 and food safety certification
• Experience with automated or semi‑automated production systems is an advantage
• Basic computer literacy (Excel, email, production software)