PACKHOUSE OPERATIONS MANAGER

SUMMARY:

Nelspruit area, Mpumalanga Province – South Africa:  This is a hands-on senior operational role with accountability for productivity, labour productivity, operating cost, quality assurance, quality control, food safety, traceability and dispatch performance.

POSITION INFO:
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS At least five years' relevant experience in fresh-produce packhouse, food-processing or high-volume production operations. At least three years' experience managing supervisors and a substantial operational workforce. Strong practical knowledge of fresh-produce grading, packing, quality control, food safety and traceability. Experience working with customer specifications and retail or market quality standards. Demonstrated ability to improve productivity, control labour costs and achieve production targets. Sound understanding of production planning, stock control, dispatch and operational reporting. Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving and disciplinary-management skills. Computer literacy, particularly Microsoft Excel and production-reporting systems. Willingness to work the hours required by seasonal production and customer demand. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO : Convert customer packing requirements into achievable daily and weekly production plans. Manage product intake, grading, packing, palletising, cold-room flow, staging and dispatch. Plan line allocation, labour deployment, shifts, changeovers and packaging requirements. Set production targets and monitor actual output against plan. Lead and manage Line Supervisors and the Quality Control team. Improve labour productivity and control overtime, waste, rework and packaging usage. Ensure orders are packed correctly, completed on time and ready for dispatch. Maintain food-safety, hygiene, traceability and customer-specification controls. Manage product inspections, quality holds, product release and corrective actions. Investigate customer complaints and recurring quality or production problems. Coordinate preventative maintenance and ensure breakdowns are addressed promptly. Maintain accurate production, quality, labour, stock and dispatch records. Drive continuous improvement in productivity, packout, product quality and operating cost. Maintain a safe, disciplined, organised and hygienic working environment. ONLY short-listed candidates will be contacted