Production Manager (Junior)

Merand Recruitment; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in South Africa is seeking an experienced Production Manager to oversee the full bottling process and raw material management. The successful candidate will ensure operational excellence, compliance with food safety standards, and effective scheduling to meet demand. Ideal applicants have 3-5 years in a food manufacturing environment and possess strong leadership skills. This role also involves stock control and personnel management, fostering a high-performance team environment.

Benefits

Group Risk & Pension fund

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years in a food manufacturing environment.
• 1–2 years in a production management role.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational excellence in the bottling process and raw material management.
• Ensure target performance on production lines.
• Manage variances and waste on production lines.

Skills

Knowledge of food safety standards (e.g., FSSC 22000, HACCP)

ERP system experience (Syspro preferred)

Ability to build high performance teams

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Education

NQF Level 4 or National Certificate in Food Production / Operations / Industrial Engineering

National Diploma in Production Management, Food Technology, or similar

Tools

ERP Systems

Job description

As the Production Manager you will be a pivotal force in driving operational excellence, overseeing the full bottling process and raw material management to ensure seamless, safe, and cost-effective manufacturing. Central to this role is demand planning—aligning production with sales forecasts and inventory needs to prevent shortages or excess. Through strategic coordination across procurement, planning, logistics, and quality, the Production Manager ensures efficient resource use, minimal downtime, and strict adherence to quality, food safety, and health standards, ultimately securing timely delivery and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities :

Operational Performance

• Ensure target performance on production lines.
• Effective scheduling of production lines to ensure demand is met OTIF (Service Level of 95%).
• Maintaining and analysing of production reports.

Stock Control

Monthly reporting on variances.

Ensure Inventory Accuracy.

Minimise stock excess cover and shortages.

Cost Management

Management of variances / waste on production lines.

Cost effective personnel scheduling.

Ensure financial controls are in place to match actual spend vs budget.

Quality & EHS

Ensure department comply fully with governance / audit / risk standards.

Maintain Audit certifications.

Ensures that production remain in compliance with all OHSA regulations.

Maintain accurate traceability throughout the production process.

Ensure compliance to all food safety regulations.

Personnel Management

Motivate, develop and coach employees.

General HR function to employees (approval of leave).

Effective handling of discipline / performance of reporting personnel.

Recruitment of staff.

Manage Job Descriptions and KPI’s of reporting staff.

Functional Competence-skills and knowledge required for job :

Knowledge of food safety standards (e.g., FSSC 22000, HACCP).

ERP system experience (Syspro preferred).

Exposure to both production and raw material / inventory control processes.

Has assisted with production planning, shift handovers, and problem resolution.

Behavioural competencies :

Takes full ownership of outcomes—whether it’s production targets, safety, or team performance—and follows through consistently.

Maintains a sharp focus on quality, hygiene, and compliance, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks, especially in high-risk food environments.

Remains calm and solutions-focused during breakdowns, delays, or audit stress, and motivates the team to stay on course.

Builds trust, communicates clearly, delegates effectively, and manages performance with fairness and firmness.

Responds quickly to production issues with a structured, practical approach, always looking for long-term solutions—not just quick fixes.

Adjusts well to shifting production demands, changing priorities, and unexpected disruptions (e.g., stock issues, last-minute orders).

Works cross-functionally with planning, quality, maintenance, and logistics to keep operations running smoothly.

Sound all round knowledge of modern manufacturing principles.

Ability to build high performance teams.

Self-motivated and able to work without supervision.

High levels of personal discipline.

Good attention to detail.

Computer literate.

Education :

Grade 12

Minimum : NQF Level 4 or National Certificate in Food Production / Operations / Industrial Engineering.

Preferred : Currently studying or recently completed a National Diploma in Production Management, Food Technology, or similar.

Experience :

3–5 years in a food manufacturing environment.

1–2 years in a production management role.

Benefits : Group Risk & Pension fund

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted