JUNIOR PRODUCTION MANAGER

Empire Recruitment Ltd; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

Empire Recruitment Ltd. is seeking a hands-on Production Supervisor to support day-to-day management of the production department in a fast-paced FMCG environment.

You will coordinate teams, monitor performance, and drive productivity while ensuring quality and safety on the shop floor. You will work closely with engineering, planning and quality to meet strict deadlines, control inventory, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Matric/Grade 12 is essential.
• A Diploma or Degree in Production Management, Operations Management, Supply Chain or a related field would be advantageous.
• 3–5 years’ experience in FMCG, manufacturing, converting, packaging, corrugated or similar production environment.
• Previous supervisory or team-lead experience will be advantageous.
• Strong shop-floor production experience.
• Exposure to production planning, production administration, stock control and manufacturing processes.
• Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills, with the ability to analyse production data.
• Experience working with MRP/ERP systems.
• Good understanding of production KPIs, stock control, 5S and continuous improvement.
• Ability to identify production problems and contribute to root-cause investigations.

Responsibilities

• Support the Production Manager with day-to-day management of the production department.
• Coordinate and monitor production teams, including converting operators and supervisors.
• Monitor daily production performance against planned targets and drive productivity and efficiency.
• Track key production indicators including output, capacity, lead times, waste, quality defects, downtime and OTIF.
• Identify production constraints and escalating delays, breakdowns, quality issues and resource challenges.
• Work closely with Engineering to identify recurring machine issues and assist with reducing downtime.
• Assist with production planning, scheduling and short-term resource allocation.
• Ensure customer orders are produced according to required dates and priorities.
• Monitor attendance, overtime, productivity and general discipline within the production environment.
• Maintain accurate production records, reports and administrative documentation.
• Assist with stock control across raw materials, work in progress, finished goods, consumables, tooling and inks.
• Monitor production costs and assist with controlling costs in line with budget requirements.
• Conduct production floor checks and maintain strong housekeeping and 5S standards.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements and participate in incident investigations and corrective actions.
• Work closely with Quality Control to identify and resolve production defects.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, waste reduction, quality, safety and downtime.
• Assist with developing and training production employees and building positive team relationships.
• Act in the Production Manager’s capacity when required.

Skills

Excel

MS Office

Root-cause analysis

Leadership

Shop-floor experience

Education

Matric/Grade 12

Production management degree

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support the Production Manager with the day-to-day management of the production department.
• Coordinate and monitor production teams, including converting operators and supervisors.
• Monitor daily production performance against planned targets and drive productivity and efficiency.
• Track key production indicators including output, capacity, lead times, waste, quality defects, downtime and OTIF.
• Identify production constraints and escalating delays, breakdowns, quality issues and resource challenges.
• Work closely with Engineering to identify recurring machine issues and assist with reducing downtime.
• Assist with production planning, scheduling and short-term resource allocation.
• Ensure customer orders are produced according to required dates and priorities.
• Monitor attendance, overtime, productivity and general discipline within the production environment.
• Maintain accurate production records, reports and administrative documentation.
• Assist with stock control across raw materials, work in progress, finished goods, consumables, tooling and inks.
• Monitor production costs and assist with controlling costs in line with budget requirements.
• Conduct production floor checks and maintain strong housekeeping and 5S standards.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements and participate in incident investigations and corrective actions.
• Work closely with Quality Control to identify and resolve production defects.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, waste reduction, quality, safety and downtime.
• Assist with developing and training production employees and building positive team relationships.
• Act in the Production Manager’s capacity when required.

What You’ll Need

• Matric / Grade 12 is essential.
• A Diploma or Degree in Production Management, Operations Management, Supply Chain or a related field would be advantageous.
• 3–5 years’ experience in an FMCG, manufacturing, converting, packaging, corrugated or similar production environment.
• Previous supervisory or team-lead experience will be advantageous.
• Strong shop-floor production experience.
• Exposure to production planning, production administration, stock control and manufacturing processes.
• Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills, with the ability to analyse production data.
• Experience working with MRP/ERP systems.
• Good understanding of production KPIs, stock control, 5S and continuous improvement.
• Ability to identify production problems and contribute to root-cause investigations.

The Person We’re Looking For

You’re a hands-on production professional who understands that successful manufacturing starts on the shop floor.
You’re comfortable working alongside supervisors and operators, monitoring performance, identifying problems and making sure production plans translate into results.
You’re analytical, organised and process-driven, with a strong eye for detail and a genuine focus on productivity, quality, safety, waste reduction and customer requirements.
You’re also a natural team player who can communicate effectively, build relationships across departments and hold people accountable while maintaining a positive working environment.
Most importantly, you’re someone with drive, resilience and determination who wants to grow into a broader production leadership role and make a tangible impact on the operation.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your production career and want an opportunity where you can make a real difference on the factory floor, we’d like to hear from you.