Production Manager

Guardian Recruiting (Pty) Ltd; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Leadership role

Professional development

Job summary

Guardian Recruiting (Pty) Ltd is seeking a Production Manager for a leading FMCG manufacturer in Cape Town. You will oversee daily operations, coordinate production schedules, and align manufacturing with business goals to drive operational excellence.

The role emphasizes Lean practices, safety, quality, and continuous improvement. You will lead cross-functional teams, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP and ISO standards while fostering a culture of performance and development.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in production management or engineering.
• 6–7 years’ experience with 4–5 years in a management role in food/FMCG.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, OEE, budgeting, HR practices.
• Proven leadership and team development skills.
• Experience with Lean and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Plan daily and weekly production schedules to optimise resources.
• Drive productivity, plant utilisation, and OEE while reducing waste.
• Ensure quality and food safety compliance (HACCP, GMP, ISO, 5S).
• Oversee maintenance planning and breakdown response.
• Manage costs against budgets and drive cost-conscious culture.
• Lead, coach, and develop production teams.
• Promote health, safety and environmental standards.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

OEE optimization

Quality & food safety

Lean Manufacturing

Communication skills

Education

Diploma or Degree in Production Management or Engineering

Job description

Making a tangible impact on manufacturing excellence begins with a leader who can strategically align production processes with business goals. Our client, an established organization in the manufacturing and FMCG sectors, with a strong focus on quality, safety, and continuous improvement, is seeking a dedicated Production Manager to oversee daily operations and drive operational success.

Where You'll Make an Impact:

• Plan and manage the daily and weekly production schedule to optimise labour, equipment, and raw materials in response to customer demand.
• Drive productivity, plant utilisation, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), while identifying and eliminating waste through Lean and World Class Manufacturing practices.
• Ensure compliance with quality and food safety standards including HACCP, GMP, ISO, and 5S, managing audits, corrective actions, and documentation.
• Oversee plant maintenance and engineering support, including preventative maintenance planning and responding to breakdowns.
• Manage factory costs against budgets, fostering a culture of cost-consciousness on the factory floor.
• Lead, coach, and develop teams through performance management, training, industrial relations, and daily leadership.
• Promote a safe working environment adhering to OSH Act, NOSA, and Group SHE standards.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and effective teamwork through daily MDWT engagement.

Duties:

• Develop and implement production schedules aligned with demand forecasts.
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators such as productivity and OEE.
• Lead quality assurance and food safety initiatives, ensuring compliance and readiness for audits.
• Plan and oversee plant maintenance activities.
• Manage operational costs and ensure adherence to budgets.
• Lead and develop production teams to achieve operational excellence.
• Promote health, safety, and environmental standards.

Requirements:

• Diploma or Degree in Production Management, Chemical/Mechanical Engineering or similar
• 6-7 years' relevant experience, including 4-5 years in a management role - ideally within a food, diary, FMCG manufacturing context
• Strong working knowledge of production and process engineering, plant capacity, OEE, budgeting and HR practices
• Proven leadership skills in team management and development.
• Strong understanding of quality and food safety standards.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Good communication skills and the ability to manage cross-functional teams.
• Relevant skills in budgeting, process engineering, and production management.

What We'll Give You:

• A competitive salary package (negotiable based on experience).
• An opportunity to lead a dynamic team within a growing company.
• A role that offers professional development and a chance to make a meaningful impact.

If you are ready to lead with purpose and drive operational excellence, we invite you to apply and become a key driver of our client's success.