Senior Plant Operations Leader - Food & Beverage

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a seasoned Plant Operations Manager for a major food & beverage facility in Gauteng. You will lead end-to-end plant operations, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with HACCP and GMP while managing costs and a cross-functional team.

Ideal candidate has 8+ years in plant management, strong leadership, and deep knowledge of food safety standards. Role offers executive growth and strong bonus potential in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field is highly desirable.
• 8+ years of progressive plant management experience in the food & beverage industry.
• Experience managing large-scale production operations and teams.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety standards, regulatory compliance, and quality management systems.
• Strong financial acumen with budget management and cost control.
• Excellent leadership and strategic planning skills.
• Experience with ERP systems and production scheduling software.
• Knowledge of the industrial sector in Tembisa, Gauteng is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality assurance, and logistics.
• Develop and implement strategic operational plans to achieve company objectives and growth targets.
• Manage departmental budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness and efficient resource allocation.
• Lead and mentor a cross-functional team of managers and supervisors, fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Ensure strict adherence to all food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, GMP) and quality control standards.
• Drive initiatives for process optimization, waste reduction, and yield improvement.
• Oversee equipment maintenance and capital expenditure projects to ensure operational reliability.
• Manage relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders.
• Develop and implement robust safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment for all employees.
• Report on plant performance metrics to senior executive leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budgeting & cost control

ERP systems

Quality & food safety compliance

Vendor & stakeholder management

Communication

Change management

Education

Master's degree in Food Science / Chemical Engineering / Operations Management

Tools

ERP systems

Production scheduling software

Job description

Placements24 seeks a seasoned Plant Operations Manager for a major food & beverage facility in Gauteng. You will lead end-to-end plant operations, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with HACCP and GMP while managing costs and a cross-functional team.

Ideal candidate has 8+ years in plant management, strong leadership, and deep knowledge of food safety standards. Role offers executive growth and strong bonus potential in a dynamic environment.