Plant Production and Maintenance Lead

Bayer; Brits; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A global agricultural company is seeking a manager for its foundation seed plant in Brits, South Africa. This role involves overseeing seed processing, managing production operations, and ensuring safety compliance. Ideal candidates should have a degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, over 5 years of experience in seed production, and strong leadership skills. The company values continuous improvement and offers a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years' experience in seed production and/or seed processing.
• Experience with seed processing equipment and maintenance is advantageous.
• SANSOR certified seed sampler is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Plan and control all plant and drying operations throughout the year.
• Lead HSE efforts according to ISO45001 standards.
• Manage building and ground maintenance legally and safely.

Skills

Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

People Management

Seed Processing

Leadership and Management Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Innovation Orientation

Fluent in English

Education

Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or related fields

Tools

ISO9001

ISO45001

MS Office Suite

Job description

Overview

• Main Purpose: This key role will lead / direct and coordinate all aspects of foundation seed plant/processing and dryer operations.
• This includes, but is not limited to, coordination and planning with the Field Production Lead and Production Scheduler, the receival of raw wet seed, sorting, drying, processing, and storage of foundation seed in order to meet internal, external and legal quality and volume demands as laid out by the business and industry.
• Overseeing the full production cycle, delivery, strategy, resource allocation for and plant and warehouse activities cost effectively.
• Key emphasis will be placed on achieving daily, weekly and yearly production goals as required by the business while producing high quality products within a safe work environment.
• Manage planning and execution of activities (Financial controlling, Production Planning), capital projects, process controls.
• Enables continuous improvement of processes, focusing on OEE, Asset Care and Autonomous Maintenance.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Production Scheduler, Field Production Lead, Pre-Commercial planner and Site Lead, plan and control all plant and drying operations throughout the year.
• Support to develop and manage an annual processing plan to ensure timely supply of seed is achieved to meet both internal and external customer demands.
• In collaboration with the Pre-Commercial Planner and Production Scheduler plan and control inventory at all levels of product stages up to the dispatching of foundation seed to growers.
• Build with the Brits Leadership Team a comprehensive site master plan, connected to strategic business direction and connect capital investment planning to enable it. Utilise Bayer tools like BaySIM et. al to govern the process.
• Develop new project managers that can deliver on quality projects with focus on time, cost, quality.
• Measure equipment Reliability and Availability – Focus on real-time OEE and connect analytics.
• Manage building and ground maintenance as well as critical site support services (compressors, dust extraction, explosive dust environments) in legal and safe way.
• Carry legal appointment as Site GMR (2.1) according to OHS act and Bayer machine safety policy.
• Increase end-to-end operational efficiency and advance customer experience through continuous improvement.
• Develop people and teams by identifying gaps, defining training programs and implementing a robust knowledge transfer network for all technical aspects of the manufacturing site.
• Develop into understanding and ownership of cost controlling, COGP management, P&L and field grower contracts.
• Lead HSE efforts according ISO45001 standards focusing on legal compliance and identifying safety risks applying the HIRA methodology.
• Ensure compliance with ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System.
• Participate in compiling Risk assessments and Job safety analysis and ensure compliance.
• Actively record safety observation and near misses.
• Participate in 5WHY problem solving identifying corrective and preventative actions.
• Manage production personnel, equipment and all other resources, to obtain maximum efficiencies thereof.
• Plan and execute efficient resource allocation to support and effectively manage during times of peak production for the plant and dryer production activities.
• Close coordination with the Field Production team to ensure the smooth transition and efficient flow of raw product to ensure optimal resource and equipment utilization is achieved
• Support to develop and mange an annual processing plan to ensure timely supply of seed is achieved to meet both internal and external customer demands.
• Continuously review and manage production plans and schedules and allocate resources, human and equipment, accordingly, to ensure production targets are met cost effectively.
• Identify and report KPI’s on the applicable TIER meetings and perform duties in a manner that supports overall site KPI`s to include safety, quality, total overall volume performance, and cost efficiency.
• Reporting these KPI`s in a transparent and frequent manner.
• Pro-actively identify positive and negative trends of KPI`s and react on them accordingly to ensure optimal resource utilization.
• Effectively manage all consumables for all the areas of responsibility and in collaboration with the Procurement & Site Services coordinator, ensure timely procurement thereof.
• Responsible to ensure that all produced seed is correctly labeled to not only ensure that full product traceability is achieved, but also meets the necessary internal Bayer, external and regulatory standards, inclusive but not limited to SANSOR Certification requirements.
• Ensure a robust maintenance system for all responsible areas of operations, inclusive of the equipment and facilities, is well developed, established and executed to ensure preventative and annual maintenance is done in an effective and timely manner to ensure compliance and prevent unforeseen breakdowns.
• Ensure loading and maintaining maintenance schedule on FIXX.
• Responsible for the planning, execution and control of all responsible operational budgets for all areas of responsibility to ensure a cost-effective production environment.
• Responsible and accountable for the full cycle of on-site chemical handling.
• This includes the management thereof from procurement, safe handling, safe storage and safe disposal thereof in the correct way.
• Responsible and accountable for the management of all matters related to good stewardship practices inclusive of the handling of regulated material.
• In collaboration with the necessary stakeholders, ensure that seed samples are taken at the correct stages and in the correct manner as a responsible certified seed sampler.
• Responsible for planning and executing Capex projects for Brits, utilizing the support of Africa Engineering team
• Actively participate in Regional and Global Optimization working groups and networks where best practices are shared across regional and global production networks.
• Provide leadership regarding the Bayer Quality Management processes and ensure proper communication with all relevant stakeholders regarding potential improvement opportunities and matters of concern throughout, but not limited to, areas of responsibility.
• Responsible and accountable for the all applicable QMS and OnePSS standards and procedures in all responsible areas.
• Actively engage and encourage a continuous improvement culture through the OnePSS platform and CAPA management.
• Maintain compliance with all regulatory requirements, ethical standards and human rights throughout all areas of responsibility.
• Provide technical knowledge for processes and equipment to obtain optimal performance of equipment.
• Recommend and implement measures to improve productivity, performance, product quality, methods, working conditions and efficiencies.
• Identify training and development needs of responsible teams and pursue the effective execution thereof in collaboration with leadership and business guidelines.
• Keep leadership at all levels informed of all matters affecting efficiency, morale and safety of employees.
• Actively engage and drive employee engagement within direct team and within the larger organization through continuous employee engagement efforts.
• Address employee concerns and maintains good communication with plant personnel.

HSE Responsibilities

• Ensure adherence to all applicable legislation, Bayer safety policies and procedures
• Adhere to requirements of legal appointments
• Actively promote the Bayer safety culture and best practices
• Ensure all staff adhere to HSE policies, procedures and rules, have been trained on and are fully demonstrated and adhered to in the work environment.
• Participate in all required HSE trainings and educations.
• Be continuously aware of safety and health conditions within the work area and assist in the identification and reporting of incidents and hazards.
• Ensure all employees and contractors are issued, and wearing the correct personal protective equipment required for their tasks.
• Take part in the investigation of incidents or accidents and provide recommendations to prevent recurrences.
• LOTO – Do physical spot checks to ensure that the procedure is followed.
• Carry out machine inspections to ensure no machines are safe to operate; for example, that all moving parts are covered with proper guards.
• Evaluate forklift drivers and cherry picker drivers annually.
• Ensure monthly and annually HSE checklists are done.
• Lead and actively participate in the reviewing of JSA’s and Risk Assessments within areas of responsibility.
• Participate in Tier meetings, monthly HSE Meetings and Management Review meetings.
• Ensure safe and orderly working environments are maintained throughout areas of responsibilities.
• Take part and ensure sufficient resources are available for Industrial Hygiene surveys.
• Act as the emergency coordinator during emergency situations, including practice drills, and inform the emergency teams as needed.

Key Working Relations

• Brits Site Lead.
• OnePSS, Data and QMS Coordinator.
• Functional Leads reporting Site Lead.
• Finance Costs accountants and Grower Payments.
• Planning.
• Quality Testing and Assurance.
• Safety.
• Production Research / Seed Production Innovation.
• Procurement and External Vendors.
• Africa Engineering Team.
• Seed Applied Solutions Team.
• Enabling Functions Communities.
• Official and External stakeholder community inclusive of SANSOR.
• AgX, Breeding, Licensing Business, AATF, APAC Planning and Production.
• All other regional Product Supply and Supply Chain Leads and Functions as required for the role.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or related fields.
• At least 5 years’ experience in seed production and/or seed processing.
• At least 5 years experience in people management.
• Experience with seed processing equipment and maintenance will be added advantage.
• SANSOR certified seed sampler (advantageous).
• Extensive ISO9001 experience.
• Exposure to ISO45001 will be very beneficial.
• Strong Leadership and Management skills (Cross Functional & Cultural).
• Good Interpersonal, Communication, Organizational and Training skills.
• Strong teamwork (Flexibility to work across areas and positively influencing others).
• Results orientated with ability to work on own initiative and under pressured timelines.
• Establish clear direction and decisions making in a timely manner.
• Innovation and digitalization oriented.
• Ability to manage ambiguity.
• Fluent in English. Any other language proficiency will be very beneficial.
• Excellent MS Office software (Excel, E-mail, Word, Project etc.)

Application Period: 18 September 2025 - 2 October 2025

Reference Code: 853655

Division: Crop Science

Location: South Africa : North West : Brits

Functional Area: Production&Manufacturing

Position Grade: VS 1.2

Employment Type: Regular

Work Time: Standard

Contact Us: 9 Country Estate Drive, Waterfall City, Johannesburg, 2090. P O Box 143, Isando, 1600, South Africa

E-Mail: [e-mail]

Bayer welcomes applications from all individuals, regardless of race, national origin, gender, age, physical characteristics, social origin, disability, union membership, religion, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any unlawful criterion under applicable law. We are committed to treating all applicants fairly and avoiding discrimination.