Production Manager

Premier FMCG (Pty) Ltd; Mthatha; On-site; ZAR 30 000 - 60 000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Production Manager to lead their bakery team. This role involves managing production processes to ensure high-quality standards while maintaining cost efficiency. The ideal candidate will foster a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. With a focus on quality control and effective communication, you'll play a key role in driving operational excellence in a fast-paced environment. If you're passionate about production management and ready to make an impact, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of FMCG plant bakery production management experience.
• Strong understanding of food safety and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee production team ensuring quality and efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement and cost-effective raw material management.

Skills

Production Management

Quality Control

Team Leadership

Cost Management

Root Cause Analysis

Education

Grade 12 (Matric)

S.A Chamber of Baking Certificate

Relevant Degree/Diploma

Job description

Job Description

Purpose of the job: Manage the production team responsible for manufacturing bread to the desired quality specifications, on time and in full within the required costs, while ensuring a high-performance culture (The Premier way).

What Will You Do

1. Ensure optimal production efficiencies and effectiveness by overseeing the production team and processes in line with agreed Premier standard operating procedures, food and health and safety requirements, as well as cost and quality requirements.
2. Ensure the baking process delivers consistent high-quality products within specifications in collaboration with the maintenance manager by:

• Ensuring adherence to baking process parameters.
• Identifying exceptions and variations in process and equipment, and reporting these to the maintenance manager for correction.
• Supporting root cause analysis when needed to address and correct issues.
• Following up to ensure problems are addressed and the baking process returns to parameters.

Drive a quality mindset within production in collaboration with the quality control department, dealing with non-conforming products or customer complaints, and collaborating on quality improvements.

Drive continuous improvement of production processes based on feedback from quality and the production team, including internal and external benchmarking.

Ensure cost-effective raw material management by:

• Procurement of raw materials within specifications from preferred providers.
• Reporting non-conforming products to Quality Control for addressing.
• Monitoring and managing stock levels in line with baking plans and demand.

Ensure high performance culture and teamwork in the production team by:

• Building capability through competency-based selection, training, development, coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Effective communication and leadership.
• Leading and participating in meetings and ensuring good discipline and accountability.
• Establishing good relationships with union representatives.

Ensure a safe working environment according to the Premier way and full statutory compliance with health, safety, and food safety requirements through training, audits, and corrective actions in collaboration with the risk function.

Support cost-effective production through planning, organizing, and managing resources to support optimal production within plant capacity, budget, and targets.

Other Requirements

• Factory environment is hot and noisy.
• Overtime and unusual working hours, including night shifts, weekends, and public holidays.
• Conduct audits, awareness, training, and ensure compliance with Food Safety, maintenance, and Health & Safety standards within the area of responsibility.

Qualification Requirements

• Grade 12 (matric) certificate or higher.
• S.A Chamber of Baking certificate.
• Manufacturing Academy certificate or an equivalent 3-year relevant degree/diploma (e.g., bakery manufacturing, food science technology, production management).

Experience Requirements

• 5-7 years of FMCG plant bakery production management experience (plant size averaging 8,000 loaves per hour).

Key Outputs

• Bakery process quality standards.
• Management and leadership practices.
• Management of raw materials and quality, especially flour.
• Food Safety compliance.
• Financial planning, budgeting, and cost control support.
• Performance management principles.
• Disciplinary and grievance management processes.