Production Manager - Midrand

SUMMARY:
The Production Manager leads safe, compliant, and cost-effective production operations so that daily output and the production plan are achieved within required lead times.

POSITION INFO:
Production Manager - R80 000 monthly CTC plus 6% provident fund company contribution Lead safe, compliant, and cost-effective production operations to achieve daily output and production plans within required lead times. About Our Client The company operates in food manufacturing operations, specialising in flavours and fragrances. Its operations encompass weighing, blending, and processing with allergen, GMO, halal, and kosher compliance. The Role: Production Manager The Production Manager leads safe, compliant, and cost-effective production operations so that daily output and the production plan are achieved within required lead times. Reporting to the Operations Manager, the role coordinates weighing and blending, people, equipment, hygiene, quality, and materials. Key focus areas include driving continuous improvement, protecting product integrity, and supporting customer requirements within a factory-based environment. Key Responsibilities Apply at least five years of manufacturing or production operations experience, including two years in a supervisory or management role, to oversee daily operations. Plan and schedule production against forecast demand, sequencing allergen, GMO, halaal, and kosher work to meet daily targets and the five-day order turnaround. Ensure accurate weighing and blending using approved equipment, readable formulation sheets, correct material labelling, and controlled rework of approved overruns and rejects. Enforce food-safety protocols, FSSC 22000, cleaning SOPs, clean-as-you-go practices, FIFO, specifications, and quality standards while addressing non-conformances. Review production costs and resource use, identify waste and cost drivers, and implement practical actions to improve capacity, efficiency, and profitability. Lead, direct, upskill, and discipline the production team, setting goals, managing leave and performance, resolving conflict, and completing quarterly KPIs. Maintain equipment and apparatus serviceability by arranging prompt repairs, routine calibration, and tracking an inventory and maintenance-history register. Store and label dangerous, allergenic, and GMO materials according to SOP and SDS requirements while enforcing PPE, OHS, document control, and intellectual property rules. About You At least five years of experience in manufacturing or production operations (must-have). At least two years of experience in a supervisory or management role (must-have). Food safety FSSC 22000 experience or exposure (must-have). Relevant diploma or degree in Production/Operations Management, Food Technology, Food Science, Engineering, or a related field (must-have). Technical knowledge of production planning, GMP and food-safety systems, allergen controls, FIFO, OHS, SOPs, root-cause analysis, and calibration/maintenance coordination (must-have). Competence in production documentation, KPI reporting, cost analysis, and Microsoft Office (must-have). Demonstrated leadership abilities to set priorities, delegate, coach, manage performance and discipline, resolve conflict, and lead change (must-have). Clear written and verbal communication, sound judgement, effective escalation, and stakeholder communication skills (must-have). Food manufacturing experience (nice-to-have). Ability to learn and administer the TEMPO document system (nice-to-have).