We’re looking for a Production Head to take the reins of a busy FMCG manufacturing plant in Pietermaritzburg.

Our growing South African brand started out making sauces and has since expanded into a delicious line-up including mayonnaise, lemon juice, peanut butter, vinegar and instant coffee. Now we need an experienced manufacturing leader who can keep the operation running smoothly, efficiently and profitably, while building a high-performing team along the way.

If strategy, people, production, budgets, quality and operational excellence are your thing, this could be your next big move!

What You’ll Be Doing

• Take overall responsibility for the Pietermaritzburg manufacturing plant, including strategy, budgets, people and performance.
  
• Provide strong strategic leadership and set the vision and direction for the plant.
  
• Lead day-to-day operations across Planning, Engineering, Manufacturing, Maintenance, Quality, SHE and Raw Material Procurement.
  
• Drive production performance, ensuring the right products are made, at the right quality, at the right cost and at the right time.
  
• Develop and implement best-practice manufacturing and planning systems to support business growth.
  
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across the plant.
  
• Own key financial and operational performance indicators, including production cost per kg and inventory.
  
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste and increase profitability.
  
• Oversee capital investment decisions relating to equipment and infrastructure.
  
• Ensure strong Quality Management Systems and consistently high-quality output.
  
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, company policies and operational standards.
  
• Champion Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) and create a safe, compliant and reliable working environment.
  
• Lead and manage key functional managers and build a high-performing leadership team.
  
• Set clear performance goals and ensure the plant consistently delivers against its targets.
  
• Manage operational risks and ensure business continuity.
  
• Communicate strategy, performance and results across the plant and to senior leadership.
  
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to keep operations moving.
  
• Drive employee engagement, talent development and a positive, high-performance culture.
  

You’ll be responsible for driving results across:

• Financial: Budgets, departmental expenses and inventory
  
• Customers: Service levels and response times
  
• Quality: Waste reduction and customer complaints
  
• Operations: Production plan attainment
  
• People: Absenteeism, performance and development
  
• SHE: Zero-harm objectives and plant compliance
  

Requirements

• Has strong FMCG manufacturing and plant leadership experience.
  
• Knows how to balance people, production, quality, cost and customer requirements.
  
• Is commercially minded and comfortable owning budgets and financial performance.
  
• Has a strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
  
• Can lead multiple functions and influence stakeholders across the business.
  
• Is passionate about developing people and building high-performing teams.
  
• Is comfortable making decisions, solving problems and driving change.
  
• Understands the importance of quality, safety, compliance and operational discipline.
  
• Can think strategically while still getting stuck into the day-to-day realities of manufacturing.