Production Manager (Fresh Produce)
2026-02-20 - 2026-04-19
Permanent
JHB002410
Engineering, Technical, Manufacturing
Gauteng, Alberton
R 45000 - R 50 000 Monthly Cost To Company (Pension fund, Medical Aid )
Are you working in a fresh produce / cold chain environment?
WE WANT YOU IF YOU HAVE A:
WE WANT YOU IF YOU HAVE A:
- Min. of 3 to 5 years' experience in Production Management or Operations.
- Exp. in fresh produce, cold-chain processes.
- A strong leader with 3 - 5 years' of management exp.
Minimum requirements:
- Diploma or degree in Operations Management, Production Management, Supply Chain, or a related field (advantageous).
- 3–5 years’ experience in a production or operations environment, ideally in fresh produce, food processing, or FMCG.
- Demonstrated experience leading teams in a high-paced environment.
- Knowledge of cold-chain logistics and produce quality standards preferred.
- Strong operational understanding of fresh produce handling, packing, and cold-chain processes.
- Experience with production planning and workflow optimisation.
- Knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and quality standards.
- Strong leadership and people management capabilities.
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
- High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Calm under pressure and able to manage multiple priorities.
- Results-driven with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Operational Management:
- Plan, organise, and manage daily production schedules across all processing and packing lines.
- Ensure efficient staging, allocation, and movement of produce from receiving to dispatch.
- Maintain optimal workflow to meet customer orders and delivery timelines.
- Coordinate closely with Staging, QC, Procurement, Dispatch, and Operations teams to ensure alignment and operational continuity.
- Quality and Food Safety:
- Enforce compliance with all food safety protocols, hygiene standards, and internal QA requirements.
- Work with the Quality Control team to resolve quality deviations and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
- Monitor produce-handling practices to minimise waste and maintain product integrity.
- Team Leadership:
- Supervise, lead, and motivate production supervisors, line leaders, and general staff.
- Schedule shifts, manage attendance, and ensure adequate staffing for operational demands.
- Provide ongoing coaching, performance management, and skills development.
- Cost and Resource Management:
- Manage labour efficiency and control overtime to meet budget targets.
- Monitor consumables, packaging materials, and equipment usage to minimise waste.
- Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities within production operations.
- Equipment and Facility Oversight:
- Ensure all equipment functions optimally and coordinate maintenance as needed.
- Maintain a clean, organised, and safe production environment.
- Report facility or equipment issues promptly to Maintenance or Management.
- Data, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement:
- Track production KPIs such as throughput, accuracy, waste, downtime, and labour productivity.
- Generate daily, weekly, and monthly production reports.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including workflow optimisation, process enhancements, and automation opportunities.
- Ensure accurate documentation relating to traceability, production logs, and compliance.
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
- Achieve order fulfilment accuracy and on-time dispatch.
- Maintain production throughput and workflow efficiency.
- Manage labour cost versus budget and productivity per hour.
- Minimise waste and shrink levels.
- Ensure compliance with food safety and audit standards.
- Monitor staff performance, retention, and attendance.
- Maximise equipment uptime and reduce downtime.
- Working Conditions:
- Operate in a cold-chain environment with extended periods of standing and movement.
- Work early mornings, late shifts, weekends, or public holidays as required during peak periods.
- Perform effectively in a fast-paced, demanding operational setting.
For more information please contact:
Nicole Steenkamp
