Food Factory Manager

SUMMARY:
Richards Bay – Drive operational excellence at a state-of-the-art meat processing facility as the new Factory Manager, ensuring seamless production and top-tier quality from intake to delivery!

POSITION INFO:
A leading integrated meat processing, wholesale, and retail enterprise operating a central plant and a network of butcheries.

Direct the overall safe, compliant, and profitable operations of the meat processing plant and wholesale division, managing production, cold-chain integrity, and store replenishment.

Key responsibilities 

• Own daily and weekly production plans to meet store orders and wholesale demand efficiently.
• Direct processing departments including receiving, boning, cutting, packing, and dispatch.
• Manage factory P&L drivers, yield, labor efficiency, and waste reduction.
• Ensure strict adherence to food safety, hygiene, and regulatory standards such as HACCP and the Meat Safety Act.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-shift workforce while fostering a strong safety culture.
• Oversee the wholesale channel and ensure reliable store replenishment and high OTIF (on-time-in-full) targets.

• National Diploma or Degree in Food Technology, Meat Science, Operations Management, or equivalent.
• Essential HACCP and food-safety training; butcher trade qualification strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in a factory or plant manager role within a cutting plant or food processing facility.
• Sound knowledge of South African meat hygiene legislation, yield management, and cold-chain operations.

• Strong operational presence on the floor and a zero-tolerance approach to food safety compromises.
• Commercial instinct with solid numerical and financial literacy.
• Calm under pressure with exceptional capability to manage peak seasonal demands.
• Fair, firm, and credible leadership style capable of maintaining high room standards.