Production Manager (Fresh Produce)

Greenmarble; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A fresh produce company located in South Africa is seeking a Production Manager to oversee operations in a cold-chain environment. The ideal candidate will have 3 to 5 years of experience in production management, strong leadership abilities, and excellent communication skills. This full-time role requires planning and managing production schedules, ensuring compliance with food safety protocols, and driving efficiency across teams. Candidates should be prepared to work in a fast-paced setting with flexible hours.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of experience in production management or operations in a fresh produce or cold chain environment.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organise and manage daily production schedules across all processing and packing lines.
• Ensure efficient staging allocation and movement of produce from receiving to dispatch.
• Maintain optimal workflow to meet customer orders and delivery timelines.
• Coordinate closely with Staging, QC, Procurement, Dispatch and Operations teams to ensure alignment and operational continuity.
• Enforce compliance with all food safety protocols, hygiene standards and internal QA requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Diploma or degree in Operations Management, Production Management, Supply Chain

Job description

Are you working in a fresh produce cold chain environment? We want you if you have:

• 3 to 5 years of experience in production management or operations in a fresh produce or cold chain environment.
• Diploma or degree in Operations Management, Production Management, Supply Chain or a related field.
• Strong leadership and people management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and problem solving skills.

For any questions contact Nicole at emailprotected

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, organise and manage daily production schedules across all processing and packing lines.
• Ensure efficient staging allocation and movement of produce from receiving to dispatch.
• Maintain optimal workflow to meet customer orders and delivery timelines.
• Coordinate closely with Staging, QC, Procurement, Dispatch and Operations teams to ensure alignment and operational continuity.
• Enforce compliance with all food safety protocols, hygiene standards and internal QA requirements.
• Supervise, lead and motivate production supervisors, line leaders and general staff.
• Schedule shifts, manage attendance and ensure adequate staffing for operational demands.
• Provide ongoing coaching, performance management and skills development.
• Manage labour efficiency and control overtime to meet budget targets.
• Monitor consumables, packaging materials and equipment usage to minimise waste.
• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities within production operations.
• Ensure all equipment functions optimally and coordinate maintenance as needed.
• Track production KPIs such as throughput, accuracy, waste, downtime and labour productivity.
• Generate daily, weekly and monthly production reports.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives including workflow optimisation, process enhancements and automation opportunities.
• Maintain traceability production logs and compliance documentation.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Order fulfilment accuracy and on-time dispatch.
• Production throughput and workflow efficiency.
• Labour cost versus budget and productivity per hour.
• Waste and shrink minimisation.
• Food safety and audit compliance.
• Staff performance retention and attendance.
• Equipment uptime and reduced downtime.

Working Conditions

Operate in a cold-chain environment with extended periods of standing and movement. Work early mornings, late shifts, weekends or public holidays as required during peak periods. Perform effectively in a fast-paced demanding operational setting.

Employment Type

Full-Time