Production Manager

AGRANA Fruit; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in fruit preparations is seeking a Production Manager in Johannesburg. You will lead production operations to ensure efficiency, safety, and compliance while managing a team and optimizing resources. The ideal candidate has over 15 years in food manufacturing with strong leadership and data analysis skills. This role offers the opportunity to optimize processes in a dynamic food production environment.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in food manufacturing, 5+ as Production Manager.
• Strong data analysis skills.
• Fluent in English; local language a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead production operations to ensure efficiency and safety.
• Develop and manage production schedules.
• Monitor key production metrics for continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards.
• Lead and develop production teams.

Skills

SAP expertise

Excel skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, ISO 22000

Education

Degree/Diploma in Food Science or related field

Job description

Overview

Join AGRANA Fruit – Global Leader in Fruit Preparations. AGRANA Fruit, part of AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG, operates 26 sites across 6 continents, delivering innovative fruit solutions for dairy, ice cream, bakery, food service, and beverages. With 9,000 employees and €3.6 billion in sales, we’re shaping the future of food.

We’re hiring: Production Manager

Location: Johannesburg

Responsibilities

Your Mission: Lead production operations in a food manufacturing environment—ensuring efficiency, food safety, KPI performance, and cost optimization.

Your Impact:

• Production Planning & Execution: Develop and manage daily, weekly, and monthly schedules to ensure optimal use of labor, machinery, and raw materials. Coordinate closely with procurement, sales, and quality teams to align production with business needs.
• Performance & Productivity: Monitor key production metrics (output, efficiency, yield, downtime) and lead initiatives to reduce losses and improve throughput. Apply lean manufacturing principles to drive continuous improvement.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensure all operations meet food safety and regulatory standards. Collaborate with QA to uphold HACCP, ISO, and GMP protocols.
• Data & Reporting: Maintain accurate records in SAP and use advanced Excel tools to analyze trends, identify variances, and present actionable insights to senior management.
• Team Leadership: Lead and develop production teams, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and excellence. Manage shift planning, training, and performance development.
• Cost & Resource Control: Drive cost-efficiency projects and optimize the use of energy, raw materials, and labor. Monitor budgets and implement strategies to reduce operational expenses.
• Health, Safety & Environment: Enforce HSE standards and collaborate with the Safety Department to conduct risk assessments and implement corrective actions. Ensure a safe working environment for all staff.

Qualifications

• Degree/Diploma in Food Science, Engineering, or related field
• 15+ years in food manufacturing, 5+ as Production Manager
• SAP & Excel expertise, strong data analysis skills
• Deep knowledge of GMP, HACCP, ISO 22000
• Leadership, budgeting, and problem-solving capabilities
• Fluent in English; local language a plus

How to apply

Contact:

Please send your meaningful application via email to:

Mrs. Elise Oosthuizen | Human Resource Manager AGRANA Fruit South Africa – [e-mail]

Closing Date

05 October 2025

Confidentiality is guaranteed.

As a global company, we are very proud of our diverse workforce and attach great importance to equal opportunity and diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, or religion to apply.