Production Controller

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) presents an exciting opportunity for a Production Controller, to join the Lakeside team at CCBA. 

CCBA is the 8th largest Coca-Cola authorised bottler in the world by revenue, and the largest on the continent. It accounts for over 40% of all Coca-Cola ready-to-drink beverages sold in Africa by volume. With over 14 000 employees in Africa, CCBA group services more than 800 000 customers with a host of international and local brands. CCBA group operates in 14 countries: South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi and the islands of Comoros and Mayotte.

Functional Capabilities:

• Production data reconciliation and control (Daily Production Report – DPR)
• SAP production transaction management and material movement
• Material usage analysis and variance investigation
• BOM (Bill of Materials) and production order validation
• Stock accuracy and consumption reporting
• Interdepartmental coordination (Stores, Planning, Quality, and Production)
• Process improvement and compliance with manufacturing standards
• Problem-solving and root cause analysis for production data issues
• Support for audits and reporting processes

Key Outcomes:

Production Reporting and Reconciliation

• Validate and reconcile daily production output and material consumption records.
• Ensure all production orders are accurately closed in ERP system with the correct quantities.
• Resolve discrepancies between physical stock and system data.

Material Usage Control

• Verify raw and packaging materials consumed per production batch align with the bill of materials (BOM).
• Investigate material yield variances and initiate corrective actions where needed.
• Monitor and correct ERP systems backflushing and manual posting errors.

System Transactions and Master Data Checks

• Maintain accuracy in ERP system-related transactions (confirmation, goods issue, returns, scrap, and adjustments).
• Flag and support resolution of BOM or recipe errors affecting consumption tracking.
• Track material write-offs, rework, or scrap with proper authorization and system updates.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Planning, and Stores teams to resolve material and system issues.
• Communicate variances and abnormal usage trends with clear root causes and mitigation plans.
• Support Manufacturing and Finance teams with month-end stock and production reports.

Compliance and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure compliance with internal controls, quality standards, and audit requirements.
• Identify gaps in production reporting and implement process improvements.
• Participate in loss accounting, material reconciliation meetings, and inventory audits.

KBI:

• ERP system production order accuracy and closure rate
• DPR-to-actual production variance (%)
• Material usage variance (%)
• Timeliness and accuracy of daily production reporting
• Reduction in unaccounted material losses
• BOM and ERP system master data error rate
• Number of material adjustments due to reconciliation issues

Education

• Minimum: Grade 12 (Matric)
• Preferred: Diploma or National Certificate in Supply Chain Management, Inventory Management, Production Planning, or Industrial Engineering
• ERP system training and certification (advantageous)

Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in a manufacturing, supply chain, or inventory control environment, preferably in FMCG
• Proven experience working with ERP systems for production and inventory management
• Familiarity with production order management, BOM validation, and consumption reconciliation
• Exposure to manufacturing audits and compliance requirements

Skills

• Proficiency in SAP (MM/PP modules) – production orders, goods movement, confirmations, etc.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for identifying data anomalies and root causes
• Understanding of manufacturing workflows and material flow principles
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, data analysis)Ability to interpret and troubleshoot BOMs, recipes, and production reports
• Excellent attention to detail and time management skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage cross-functional teams
• Knowledge of GMP, food safety, and compliance protocols in a manufacturing setting