Production Manager (Food Manufacturing)

Recruiter:

The Working Earth

Job Ref:

TWE001960/KM

Date posted:

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Location:

Johannesburg, South Africa

Salary:

450000 Annually

SUMMARY:

A leading organisation in the food manufacturing industry is seeking an experienced Production Manager to oversee and improve all aspects of production operations. The ideal candidate will be responsible for ensuring product quality, optimising efficiency, maintaining food safety compliance, and leading production teams to achieve daily performance targets.

POSITION INFO:

Production Planning & Execution

Manage and monitor daily production activities to meet output targets.
Ensure smooth operation of production lines with minimal downtime.
Identify and resolve production challenges proactively.

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

Ensure full compliance with HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000 and all applicable food safety standards.
Collaborate with Quality Assurance to maintain high product quality.
Implement and enforce GMP standards and maintain audit readiness.

People Management

Lead, mentor, and support production supervisors and line operators.
Conduct performance reviews and manage disciplinary processes.
Promote a culture focused on teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Operational Efficiency & Continuous Improvement

Track and improve KPIs such as OEE, yield, waste, downtime, and labour utilisation.
Implement Lean Manufacturing practices including 5S, Kaizen, and root cause analysis.
Identify opportunities to reduce costs and enhance production output.

Health & Safety

Ensure adherence to all occupational health and safety regulations.
Lead risk assessments, incident investigations, and safety training.
Foster a “safety-first” work environment.

Resource & Budget Management

Manage raw materials, packaging usage, labour, and utilities within budget.
Coordinate with procurement to ensure material availability.
Contribute to CAPEX planning and equipment upgrade initiatives.

Qualifications

Diploma or Degree in Food Technology, Production Management, Engineering, or related field.
Additional certifications in Food Safety, Quality, or HACCP are advantageous.

Experience

5–8 years’ experience in food manufacturing.
Minimum 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
Strong working knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and food safety legislation.
Experience implementing Lean or Continuous Improvement initiatives.

If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider the vacancy application unsuccessful. Your profile will be kept on our database for any other suitable roles / positions.

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