Plant Manager

Lactalis South Africa; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the dairy sector seeks a Plant Manager to oversee daily operations of a manufacturing plant. The role entails developing production strategies, ensuring operational excellence, and fostering a continuous improvement mindset. Candidates should possess extensive experience in plant management within the Dairy FMCG sector and relevant educational qualifications. This position aims to balance efficiency with high-quality customer service delivery while adhering to industry standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in plant and/or operations management, ideally in Dairy FMCG.
• Proven leadership skills to motivate support for business objectives.
• Essential dairy/yogurt knowledge, critical for decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Develop plans to improve autonomous production and ensure smooth operations.
• Manage production through TPM.
• Compile and manage annual budget, including cost and capital expenditure.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Excellence

Continuous Improvement

Dairy Knowledge

Education

B.Com Degree in Management

B.Sc. Food Science Degree

B.Eng. Degree

Job description

Role Purpose

The purpose of the role is to oversee the daily operations of a manufacturing plant and develop strategies to meet production goals at minimal cost. Performance must be achieved through operational excellence, people leadership, and a continuous improvement mindset, balancing efficiency with customer service delivery. The role requires professional and morally sound work ethics aligned with Lactalis SA.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of experience in plant and/or operations management, ideally in Dairy FMCG
• Essential dairy/yogurt knowledge, critical for decision-making in small management teams or flat structures
• B.Com Degree in management with production experience or B.Sc. Food Science Degree or B.Eng. Degree with management experience
• Proven leadership skills to motivate support for business objectives
• Experience and operating knowledge across all plant business units

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop plans to improve autonomous production and ensure smooth operations
• Manage production through TPM
• Recruit, train, and onboard new employees
• Review data to identify inefficiencies and implement improvement actions
• Create reports for executives on process performance
• Evaluate employees and suggest improvements
• Oversee work schedules for adequate coverage
• Perform routine safety checks on equipment
• Compile and manage annual budget, including cost and capital expenditure
• Forecast and control budgets in line with labour efficiency standards
• Report on budget adherence monthly
• Minimize input costs, raw material usage, and waste
• Reduce product and packaging costs
• Optimize fixed and overhead costs against demand and production needs
• Ensure monitoring systems are accurate
• Maintain data integrity for reporting to corporate
• Ensure product quality according to specifications
• Conform to quality processes and maintain QMS standards
• Ensure safety standards like FSSC22000 are met
• Develop and manage production plans aligned with targets
• Maintain plant equipment properly
• Identify systemic issues affecting efficiency and address them
• Implement changes for new products with minimal disruption
• Manage projects within scope and budget
• Maintain systems such as ISO, HACCP, TQM, TPM, NOSA
• Plan human resource capacity and development
• Promote profit maximization among staff
• Recruit vacancies using competency-based methods
• Facilitate goal setting and performance management
• Maintain effective communication structures
• Foster pride, discipline, and productivity
• Ensure harmonious relationships across functions
• Develop workplace skills and talent management plans
• Uphold Lactalis SA values, staff morale, and motivation
• Adhere to EE targets and management control principles
• Follow the Delegation of Authority policies