Production Manager

Lotus Bakeries, Milan; Wolseley; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Lotus Bakeries in Wolseley (South Africa) seeks a Production Manager to oversee daily manufacturing operations, ensure on-time delivery, and maintain high quality while complying with GMP and food safety standards.

You will drive lean initiatives, manage 5S, improve OEE, and lead a safety-first team through coaching and performance reviews.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in a managerial FMCG role with production management experience.
• Degree in Production Management or related field.
• Strong knowledge of GMP and food safety regulations.
• Proven leadership, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily manufacturing operations to meet production schedules and quality standards.
• Ensure a safe working environment and zero incidents through health and safety protocols.
• Achieve 100% OTIF delivery through interdepartmental coordination.
• Apply lean principles to eliminate wastes and drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain 5S standards and oversee asset and cost control.
• Collaborate with QA to ensure GMP and food safety compliance.
• Develop Labour planning, coach teams, and drive performance reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Continuous improvement

Lean

Six Sigma

OEE / production efficiency

HSE / safety awareness

Communication skills

Team development

Education

Degree in Production Management

Tools

GMP knowledge

World Class Manufacturing (WCM)

Job description

Production Manager

Wolseley

The purpose of a Production Manager is to oversee and coordinate the manufacturing processes to ensure efficient, high-quality production that meets company objectives. The Production Manager is responsible for planning, supervising, and controlling production activities at the site, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, standards, and certifications (such as BRC, GFCO, Halal, Kosher). Their goal is to deliver products on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards, while maintaining a safe and compliant working environment.

• Oversee daily manufacturing operations to meet production schedules, quality standards, and customer delivery commitments.


• Ensure a safe working environment by adhering to occupational health and safety protocols, aiming for zero workplace incidents.


• Achieve and sustain 100% On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) delivery through effective interdepartmental coordination.


• Implement lean manufacturing principles to eliminate the seven wastes (overproduction, waiting, unnecessary transportation, over-processing, inventory, unnecessary motion, defects).


• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by applying statistical methods, root cause analysis, and process optimisation techniques.


• Maintain workplace organization standards (5S > 90%) and manage green area standards to promote a clean, safe, and efficient work environment.


• Collaborate with quality assurance to ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food safety regulations.

Human Capital Management

• Develop and implement labour planning strategies to optimise shift assignments, ensuring adequate staffing levels aligned with production demands.


• Monitor labour utilisation, track scheduled versus actual hours worked, and proactively address variances to maintain efficiency.


• Lead initiatives to develop employee skills through coaching, mentoring, and targeted training programs.


• Enforce discipline, conduct performance appraisals, and implement incentive schemes to motivate and retain high-performing teams.


• Foster a positive work environment that promotes respect, accountability, and continuous learning

Asset & Capital Management

• Monitor Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) with a target of >75%, identifying opportunities for asset utilisation improvements.


• Maintain inventory accuracy at or above 99%, implementing best practices in stock control and cycle counting.


• Ensure proper maintenance of mechanical and electrical systems to minimize downtime and extend asset lifespan.


• Control direct production costs per unit to meet financial targets.


• Manage overtime and night shift allowances.


• Monitor, analyse, and report on production costs, variances, and efficiency gains to support managerial decision-making.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain certifications such as BRC (≥ A), GFCO, Halal, and Kosher, ensuring compliance with the latest standards.


• Implement rigorous quality control measures to achieve zero customer complaints.


• Enforce adherence to company SOPs, policies, and all applicable regulatory requirements related to food safety and manufacturing.

Leadership & Cultural Development

• Promote a culture of respect, transparency, and ethical behaviour across all levels of the organisation.


• Encourage proactive problem-solving to enhance operational performance and team engagement.

Profil

Profile & Qualifications:

Educational Requirements:

• Degree in Production Management, Engineering (BTech), Food Technology, or related field.

Technical & Industry Knowledge:

• Understanding of World Class Manufacturing (WCM) systems and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).


• Familiarity with relevant legislation and standards including Labour Relations Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act.


• Strong understanding of GMP, food safety regulations, and industry best practices.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years in a managerial role within a FMCG environment, with a proven track record of production management and process optimisation.


• Demonstrated success developing high-performing teams.


• Enthusiastic, energetic, and results-driven mindset.


• Excellent problem-solving, root cause analysis, and decision-making skills.


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build effective relationships.


• Adaptable team player with a high level of integrity and professionalism.


• Committed to driving waste elimination, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Offre

• A chance to be part of a growing, international company.


• A company culture where passion, team spirit and open dialogue are the main drivers.