Plant Manager

Abantu Staffing Solutions; George; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Job summary

Abantu Staffing Solutions is seeking a Plant Manager to drive overall operational performance of a manufacturing facility in the Western Cape. You will lead production, warehousing and maintenance, ensure delivery of production plans safely, on time and within spec while optimizing labour productivity, equipment utilisation and manufacturing costs.

The role requires 5+ years of manufacturing leadership, FMCG/food/beverage experience, and strong ERP/production planning skills.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Production Management / Industrial Engineering / Operations Management / Mechanical Engineering.
• Manufacturing Management
• 5+ years manufacturing experience.
• 3+ years in a senior production or plant management role.
• FMCG, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food or beverage manufacturing experience essential
• Proven experience managing teams of 30+ employees.
• Strong ERP and production planning exposure.

Responsibilities

• Execute production plans in line with customer demand.
• Ensure production targets are achieved on time and in full.
• Manage scheduling adherence and manufacturing throughput.
• Drive improvements in production efficiency and capacity utilisation.
• Lead all production and warehouse personnel.
• Develop supervisors and team leaders.
• Drive accountability and performance management.
• Build a culture of safety, quality and continuous improvement.
• Ensure preventative maintenance programmes are executed.
• Minimise unplanned downtime.
• Manage equipment reliability and plant availability.
• Recommend equipment upgrades and automation initiatives.
• Ensure raw materials and packaging are available for production.
• Maintain inventory accuracy.
• Manage stock rotation and minimise ageing inventory.
• Work closely with procurement and planning teams.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives.
• Improve labour productivity.
• Reduce waste and rework.
• Improve overall equipment effectiveness.
• Manage factory operating budgets.
• Control labour and manufacturing costs.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings.
• Improve manufacturing margins through efficiency gains.

Skills

Team leadership

Lean manufacturing

Cost control

ERP proficiency

Production planning

Quality focus

Education

Diploma or Degree in Production Management / Industrial Engineering / Operations Management / Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ERP Systems

Job description

Overview:

The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall operational performance of the manufacturing facility. The role is accountable for safely delivering production plans on time, in full and within specification while optimising labour productivity, equipment utilisation, inventory control and manufacturing cost. The Plant Manager will lead production, warehousing and maintenance functions and play a key role in scaling manufacturing capacity and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Production Management

• Execute production plans in line with customer demand.

• Ensure production targets are achieved on time and in full.

• Manage scheduling adherence and manufacturing throughput.

• Drive improvements in production efficiency and capacity utilisation.

Team Leadership

• Lead all production and warehouse personnel.

• Develop supervisors and team leaders.

• Drive accountability and performance management.

• Build a culture of safety, quality and continuous improvement.

Maintenance & Engineering

• Ensure preventative maintenance programmes are executed.

• Minimise unplanned downtime.

• Manage equipment reliability and plant availability.

• Recommend equipment upgrades and automation initiatives.

Inventory & Warehouse Management

• Ensure raw materials and packaging are available for production.

• Maintain inventory accuracy.

• Manage stock rotation and minimise ageing inventory.

• Work closely with procurement and planning teams.

Operational Excellence

• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives.

• Improve labour productivity.

• Reduce waste and rework.

• Improve overall equipment effectiveness.

Financial Management

• Manage factory operating budgets.

• Control labour and manufacturing costs.

• Identify opportunities for cost savings.

• Improve manufacturing margins through efficiency gains.

Minimum Requirements

• Diploma or Degree in: Production Management / Industrial Engineering / Operations Management / Mechanical Engineering /

• Manufacturing Management

• 5+ years manufacturing experience.

• 3+ years in a senior production or plant management role.

• FMCG, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food or beverage manufacturing experience essential

• Proven experience managing teams of 30+ employees.

• Strong ERP and production planning exposure.