A well-established, high-performance FMCG operation is seeking a Production Team Leader to take ownership of production line performance, safety, quality, delivery, cost control, and team leadership. This role is pivotal in driving operational excellence, fostering a strong safety culture, and leading teams to consistently deliver against production targets.

This is not a desk role. This is boots-on-the-floor leadership.

Please kindly apply here or email your CV to ellarine@obr.co.za

Key Responsibilities Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability

• Ensure full compliance with all legal, environmental, health, safety, and sustainability standards to prevent personnel, asset, or societal loss.

• Actively promote an interdependent and transparent safety culture through preventive and predictive practices.

• Drive daily execution of Incident Elimination (IE) DMS and 5S to advance safety maturity.

Quality

• Ensure compliance with all quality standards relating to incoming materials, semi-finished goods, and finished goods in line with the Quality Management System.

• Oversee execution of Daily Management Systems (DMS), ensuring high-quality and on-time completion.

• Activate corrective actions on shift to ensure product quality, engaging relevant stakeholders.

• Drive quality ownership at source and ensure high internal and external customer satisfaction.

• Ensure daily execution of Finished Product Quality (FPQ) and Quality Incident Elimination (QIE) routines.

• Conduct hourly VFI processes and ensure accurate, real-time data capture across production systems.

Delivery

• Ensure adherence to shift production plans while maximising line performance and service levels.

• Lead and participate in Daily Direction Setting (DDS), identifying losses and driving performance improvements.

• Support and coordinate planned stops, changeovers, and shift handovers.

• Ensure continuous, efficient operation of equipment and technology, resolving minor operational and quality issues.

• Support digital solutions implementation and ensure accurate production data capturing.

Cost

• Coordinate routine maintenance checks to ensure basic equipment condition.

• Ensure effective execution of DMS in collaboration with maintenance teams.

• Support loss analysis, reporting, and cost-related problem solving initiatives.

People & Morale

• Ensure effective shift handovers and team coverage.

• Coach and develop team members, supporting cross-functional training and skills development.

• Conduct regular feedback and coaching sessions to support performance and growth.

• Motivate teams to achieve operational targets and sustain engagement.

• Ensure completion of individual and team training matrices and development plans.

Accountability & Leadership

• Implement standard work processes and pillar requirements.

• Own and cover the Crew Leader role when required.

• Promote equipment ownership and accountability within the team.

• Lead in line with defined leadership behaviours and hold teams accountable to performance standards.

Minimum Requirements

Education

• National Diploma or BTech Degree in Engineering or Operations Management

Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment

• At least 2 years’ experience leading teams

Technical & Functional Skills

• Strong understanding of production systems and manufacturing execution systems

• Working knowledge of systems such as MES, SAP, and related production platforms

• Solid MS Office skills

Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management capability

• Customer-focused, collaborative communicator

• Action-orientated with strong problem-solving skills

• Results-driven with a continuous improvement mindset

• Able to lead under pressure in a fast-paced production environment

Why This Role?

Because this is where leadership meets execution.
You’ll have real accountability, real impact, and real ownership — not just of machines, but of people, performance, and progress.