Production Group Lead

Kerry; Durban; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerry is seeking a Production Lead in Durban, South Africa, to direct Dry Blending, Dispensary, and Packing operations. You will drive safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives while coaching teams and upholding GMP standards.

The role requires a Diploma with 5+ years in process environments, including supervisory experience. SAP knowledge is a plus, and overtime eligibility is expected. This is a permanent full-time position located in Durban.

Qualifications

• Requires a diploma in Industrial/Chemical Engineering or equivalent with production leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years in a process environment, with at least 3 years in a team lead or supervisory role.
• Experience in a Food Manufacturing Plant is preferred.
• SAP knowledge will be a bonus.
• Eligible for overtime.

Responsibilities

• Lead Dry Blending, Dispensary, and Packing production teams to execute production plans.
• Perform Root Cause Analysis and solve problems impacting safety, quality, costs, and delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to meet safety, quality, cost, and customer service goals.
• Ensure GMP compliance for equipment, facility and operations within internal programs and codes.
• Protect the health and safety of all Production employees via site safety culture.
• Complete shift reports and maintain production tracking records and KPIs.
• Review site policies and ensure training and standard work are in place.
• Train new and existing team members on equipment and processes.
• Maintain operating procedures and work instructions to ensure quality and safety standards.
• Manage on-going performance of direct reports and disciplinary actions as needed.

Skills

Team leadership

GMP compliance

Root cause analysis

Problem solving

Safety culture

Education

Diploma in Industrial/Chemical Engineering

Production Management

Food Technology

Tools

SAP

Job description

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

Requisition ID 65663

Position Type FT Permanent

About the role

This role will lead and develop production teams to deliver safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives across Dry Blending, Dispensary, and Packing operations. Drive continuous improvement, problem-solving, GMP compliance, employee development, and operational excellence to ensure consistent product quality and customer satisfaction.

Location

Durban, South Africa

Reporting to

Production Manager

Key responsibilities

• Lead Dry Blending, Dispensary, and Packing production teams to execute production plans and deliver production targets, ensuring efficient and effective use of resources to meet production targets.
• Perform Root Cause Analysis and solve problems that impact safety, quality, costs, and delivery and ensure that unresolved problems are escalated to the site leadership team.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to ensure safety, quality, cost, and customer service goals are met.
• Continually oversee and ensure that GMP compliance for the equipment, facility and operations is maintained within established internal programs and regulatory codes.
• Protect the health and safety of all Production employees through instituting and adherence to site safety culture.
• Complete shift reports as required, including the maintenance of production tracking records, reports and spreadsheets to provide information and data for monthly reporting of production efficiency and monthly KPIs.
• Review relevant site policies & procedures and ensure the requirements they specify are documented in standard work and trained out to Team Leaders & Members.
• Train new and existing team members on equipment and operational processes.
• Maintain and update operating procedures and work instructions to achieve quality and safety standards. Maintain product quality and adherence to GMP through management of the team and process to deliver agreed product specifications as defined in quality standards and policies.
• Manage on-going performance of direct reports, including initiating disciplinary procedures as per the disciplinary policy where necessary.

Qualifications and skills

• Preferably a diploma in Industrial/Chemical Engineering, Production Management, Food Technology, Engineering, Operations Management or Equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a process environment, at least three years of which in a Team Lead or Supervisory role.
• Preferably experience within a Food Manufacturing Plant.
• SAP knowledge will be a bonus.
• Eligible for overtime.