Senior Packhouse Foreman (Fruit Industry)

University of Fort Hare; Grabouw; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A large fruit packing and marketing company in Grabouw is seeking a Senior Packhouse Foreman to enhance production efficiency and uphold quality standards. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in production management, with strong leadership and people management skills, as well as a Tertiary qualification in the field. This role is crucial for ensuring smooth operations and compliance with food safety regulations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in production / packhouse environment.
• 2+ years in a supervisory role.
• Knowledge of production targets, quality standards, packaging, and machinery.
• Knowledge of Food Safety & Safety Regulations.
• Willingness to work shifts, overtime, and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Ensure fruit per packing line is scheduled for optimal throughput.
• Manage employees per packing line to meet planned throughput and goals.
• Maintain quality sorting of fruit as per specifications.
• Maintain discipline and address employee morale.
• Assist with cost management of the packhouse budget.
• Liaise with engineering for equipment issues.
• Ensure safety compliance and conduct incident investigations.
• Drive continuous improvement in systems and processes.

Skills

Leadership skills

Quality management

Production planning

Computer literate (Excel)

Bilingual (English & Afrikaans)

People management

Education

Tertiary qualification in Operations / Production Management

Job description

Overview

2025-10-22 - 2025-11-21

Permanent

SW005939

Agriculture

Logistics, Warehouse & Freight

Grabouw. My client, a large fruit packing and marketing company, is seeking a Senior Packhouse Foreman to join the production team. If you are a seasoned operations professional with a passion for quality and high efficiency, we encourage you to apply!

This is an opportunity to leverage your leadership and expertise to drive production targets and maintain world-class standards in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Operations / Production Management or similar
• 5+ years in production / packhouse environment, with 2+ years in supervisory role
• Knowledge of production targets, quality standards, packaging, and machinery
• Computer literate (Excel), bilingual (English & Afrikaans)
• People management experience; team player.
• Knowledge of Food Safety & Safety Regulations
• Willingness to work shifts, overtime, and occasional weekends

Responsibilities

• Production Planning: Ensure that fruit per packing line is scheduled according to a packing program in order to maintain optimum throughput and limit downtime. Liaise with production planning as needed for a smooth production flow.
• Production Objectives: Plan, organise and manage employees per packing line to ensure that the planned throughput and goals are met.
• Quality Management: Maintain a laser focus on sorting fruit, ensuring the correct-quality fruit ends up in the correct grade as per specifications.
• Personnel Management: Maintain discipline in accordance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. Please make sure employee morale remains positive, address questions promptly, and help identify training needs.
• Financial Management: Assist with cost management of the packhouse budget by monitoring expenses against the budget. Assist in compiling production budget plans.
• Equipment Management: Liaise with the engineering department to provide accurate, timely information on equipment that is not functioning correctly, is at risk of breaking down, or could cause damage.
• Audit Compliance: Ensure a safe working environment in line with the company’s Safety System. Complete incident investigations, make recommendations to prevent recurrence, and ensure that Packhouse Documentation and working methods comply with the BRCGS Standard.
• Innovations: Drive continuous improvement by thinking innovatively about systems, processes, and working methods