Production Manager

Pronel Consultants; Durban; On-site; ZAR 850,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Pronel Consultants in Durban seeks a hands-on Production Manager to lead a 24/7 continuous-process operation, balancing operational excellence with strong people leadership.

You will coach Shift Managers, drive safety, quality and cost targets, collaborate across Engineering, SHEQ, Supply Chain and Commercial teams, and turn production challenges into sustainable improvements.

Qualifications

• Must have a proven track record in leading production teams in continuous-process manufacturing.
• Strong operational judgement and ability to run a plant 24/7.
• Deep understanding of production performance, process stability and continuous improvement.
• Exceptional people leadership and commitment to developing others.
• Ability to influence across functions and align with business goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the safe, stable and efficient operation of the plant and achieve production, quality, cost and reliability targets.
• Develop and coach Shift Managers and the Production team to boost technical competence and decision-making.
• Champion safety and food/environmental quality standards and embed SHEQ in daily operations.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Projects, SHEQ, Quality, Supply Chain, Logistics and Commercial teams.
• Identify recurring constraints, drive root-cause analysis and implement measurable improvements.

Job description

Lead people. Drive performance. Make an impact.

Are you a hands‑on manufacturing leader who knows that world‑class production starts with great people?

We’re looking for a strong, people‑centred Production Manager to take ownership of a complex, continuous‑process manufacturing operation. This is an opportunity for a leader who can balance operational excellence with exceptional people leadership, building a Production team that is confident, capable, accountable and motivated to deliver.

This is not a desk‑bound engineering role. We need an operational leader who understands the realities of a 24/7 plant, can make sound decisions under pressure and knows how to turn production challenges into sustainable improvements.

WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Driving Operational Excellence

Lead the safe, stable and efficient operation of the plant, delivering production, quality, cost and reliability targets. Drive improvements in OEE, yield, energy and water efficiency, plant stability and overall equipment performance. Establish strong operating disciplines, respond decisively to process disruptions and ensure that root causes are addressed rather than repeatedly firefought.

Building a High‑Performing Production Team

This is where you’ll make your mark. You’ll lead, coach and develop Shift Managers and the broader Production team, building their confidence, technical competence and decision‑making ability. You’ll create a culture of accountability, trust and empowerment, provide constructive feedback, identify development needs and nurture the next generation of Production leaders.

Putting Safety and Quality First

Champion uncompromising standards in employee safety, product quality, food safety where applicable, environmental compliance and operational risk. Ensure procedures and management systems are embedded in everyday operations, with SHEQ and Quality viewed as essential partners in delivering excellent production performance.

Working Across the Business

Collaborate closely with Engineering, Projects, SHEQ, Quality, Supply Chain, Logistics and Commercial teams. Take a Business First approach, understanding how production decisions affect the wider operation, the value chain and the customer. Build strong working relationships, communicate effectively and resolve challenges constructively, even under pressure.

Driving Continuous Improvement

Move the operation beyond reactive firefighting. Identify recurring constraints, eliminate root causes and turn improvement opportunities into measurable, lasting results. Encourage input from operators and Shift Managers, strengthen operating procedures and embed best practices that improve plant performance and build operational capability.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

• A proven track record in leading production teams within a continuous‑process or complex process‑manufacturing environment.
• Strong operational judgement and the ability to lead a plant operating around the clock.
• A sound understanding of production performance, process stability, plant reliability and continuous improvement.
• Exceptional people leadership, emotional intelligence and a genuine commitment to developing others.
• The confidence to hold people accountable while treating them with fairness, professionalism and respect.
• The ability to influence across functions, make commercially sound decisions and keep the broader business objectives firmly in sight.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

We’re looking for more than someone who can keep a plant running. We need a leader who can build a team that performs, develop people who take ownership and create an operation that becomes stronger, safer and more efficient under their leadership.

If you combine operational grit with people‑centred leadership and have the experience to make a real difference in a demanding manufacturing environment, we’d like to hear from you.