A leading UHT juice and dairy manufacturing company is looking for an experienced General Manager with strong experience in FMCG food or beverage manufacturing, UHT or aseptic processing, full factory operations, food safety, commercial performance and P&L management to take overall responsibility for its site in Roodepoort. The business manufactures long-life juice, milk, yoghurt and fresh cream for own-label and co-packing customers, with a focus on the South African and African markets. This is a hands-on, site-based leadership role requiring a strong factory-floor presence and the ability to drive operational efficiency, food safety, customer service and business growth.

Responsibilities:

• Take full accountability for the production and operational performance of the manufacturing site.
• Own the full production value chain, including raw material intake, blending and standardisation, UHT processing, aseptic filling, packing, storage and dispatch.
• Set and deliver production plans against customer orders and co-packing contracts.
• Drive OEE, throughput, yield, changeover times, waste, utilities consumption and overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Establish and enforce SOPs, CIP/SIP regimes, start-up and shutdown procedures and shift handover controls.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, TPM, 5S, RCA and Kaizen methodologies.
• Maintain overall accountability for food safety, quality systems and certification, including FSSC 22000 / ISO 22000 requirements.
• Ensure HACCP, allergen management, traceability, mock recall, pest control, hygiene and GMP programmes remain audit-ready.
• Ensure compliance with applicable South African food, labour, health and safety and environmental legislation.
• Manage customer complaints, non-conformances, product release and hold/withdrawal decisions.
• Own the site P&L, annual operating budget and capex plan.
• Monitor and improve revenue, gross margin, cost per litre, conversion costs, overheads and cash performance.
• Manage co-packing and own-label customer relationships at executive level.
• Support new business development through costing, capacity planning, trials and first-production runs.
• Oversee procurement, supplier performance, S&OP, demand planning, stock management and finished goods distribution.
• Oversee planned and preventative maintenance of production equipment, utilities and related assets.
• Lead capex projects relating to capacity, automation, energy and water.
• Act as the Section 16(2) appointee and ensure compliance with the OHS Act and applicable regulations.
• Manage environmental obligations relating to effluent, water, waste and energy.
• Build, lead and retain a capable management team and disciplined shift-based workforce.
• Manage industrial relations, including union engagement, disciplinary and grievance processes and wage negotiations.
• Provide regular operating reports to the Managing Director and Board covering safety, quality, delivery, cost, people and risk.
• Maintain site risk, business continuity and crisis management plans.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Production/Operations Management or an equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in FMCG food or beverage manufacturing.
• At least 5 years' experience in a senior leadership position such as General Manager, Factory Manager, Plant Manager or Operations Manager with full site accountability.
• Hands-on experience in UHT or aseptic processing of juice, dairy or similar liquid food products, including aseptic filling and CIP systems.
• Proven experience achieving or maintaining FSSC 22000, BRCGS or ISO 22000 certification and successfully managing major retailer and customer audits.
• Proven P&L and budget ownership within a manufacturing environment, with demonstrable cost reduction and margin improvement experience.
• Experience supplying South African retail customers and/or managing co-packing or private-label contracts.
• Working knowledge of South African food, labour and OHS legislation.
• Strong ERP/MRP, production reporting and advanced Excel skills.
• Experience with Tetra Pak, SIG, Elopak or similar aseptic carton filling platforms.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma or TPM methodologies.
• Experience commissioning new production lines or scaling a plant through a growth phase.
• Strong leadership, commercial, operational and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience managing a unionised workforce.
• Ability to work hands-on on the factory floor while engaging effectively with customers and senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing costs, including cost per litre, SKU contribution and co-packing contract recovery.
• Clear and concise communication skills, with the ability to provide accurate operational and financial reporting.
• High integrity and strong governance skills.
• A postgraduate business qualification such as an MBA or MBL would be advantageous.
• Experience in export or cross-border supply into African markets would be advantageous.
• Experience in an owner-managed or mid-sized manufacturing business would be advantageous.
• Exposure to halaal and kosher certification regimes would be advantageous.

Benefits:

• Salary: negotiable.

Contact Hire Resolve for your next career-changing move.

Apply for this role today, contact Abigail King at Hire Resolve or on LinkedIn.

You can also visit the Hire Resolve website: hireresolve.us or email us your CV:  manufacturing@hireresolve.za.com

We will contact you telephonically in 3 days should you be suitable for this vacancy. If you are not suitable, we will put your CV on file and contact you regarding any future vacancies that arise.