Senior Production Manager

Pedros Chicken; Pinetown; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Pedros Chicken is seeking a seasoned Production Manager to lead poultry and sauce production at the Distribution Centre in South Africa. You will ensure output benchmarks, yield targets, and strict adherence to food safety, hygiene, and SOPs across all production areas.

The role requires HACCP certification, a tertiary qualification in a related field, and proven experience in poultry production with strong HR/IR skills. Expect a hands-on leadership style in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• HACCP certification and understanding of SA hygiene regulations.
• Tertiary qualification in Food Technology, Food Science, Production/Operations or Quality Management.
• Experience in poultry production and cold chain handling.
• Solid track record of managing staff and HR/IR issues.
• No criminal record and professional conduct.
• Computer literacy including MS Office; Sage experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage poultry and sauce production operations at the DC to meet benchmarks and yields.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene, stock accuracy, traceability and SOP compliance.
• Maintain housekeeping and hygiene standards across all production areas.
• Verify daily deep cleaning and weekly acid washing.
• Prevent cross-contamination via color-coding and 3-Bucket System.
• Oversee PPE, handwashing compliance and personal hygiene of staff.
• Achieve output benchmarks across all lines and yield targets.
• Maintain product specs for fillets, strips and chicken products.
• Maintain stock variance control and full traceability.
• Manage supplier claims and non-conformances within timelines.
• Ensure accurate daily reporting and continual employee training.

Skills

Production planning

Forecasting

Staff management

HACCP

Food safety

Quality management

SOP compliance

Conflict management

MS Office

Poultry production

Education

Food Technology degree

Tools

MS Office

SAGE

Job description

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To manage all poultry and sauce production operations at the Distribution Centre (DC), ensuring production output benchmarks, yield targets, product specifications, food safety, hygiene standards, stock accuracy, traceability, people performance and SOP compliance are consistently achieved across all production departments
2. Maintaining housekeeping and hygiene standards across all production areas at all times
3. Ensuring Daily Deep Cleaning and Weekly Acid Washing are completed and verified without exception
4. Maintaining zero cross-contamination incidents through strict color-coding and 3-Bucket System compliance
5. Ensuring personal hygiene, PPE and handwashing compliance across all production staff
6. Achieving production output benchmarks across all production lines
7. Achieving required yield targets across poultry smalls and other applicable production categories
8. Maintaining product specification compliance for fillets, strips and chicken products
9. Maintaining stock accuracy, variance control and full traceability
10. Managing supplier claims and NCRs within specified timelines
11. Ensuring accurate daily reporting, effective staff management and continuous employee training

REQUIREMENTS:

1. A well experienced production manager (experienced in planning and forecasting)
2. Must have a solid understanding of production yield
3. HACCP certification
4. Tertiary qualification in Food Technology, Food Science, Production/Operations or Quality Management
5. Working knowledge of R638 (SA food premises hygiene regulations)
6. A high degree of professionalism
7. Management level - Management of staff (conflict management skills in a diverse employment arena)
8. Computer literate – MS Office
9. SAGE – advantageous
10. Solid track record of work experience
11. No criminal record
12. Poultry and cold chain experience
13. Must be well experienced from the food processing background preferably poultry (3 yrs+)
14. Strong managerial skills especially on the HR and IR side (able to issue warnings, etc.)