Operations Manager

As the Operations Manager, youll be responsible for ensuring seamless factory operations, maintaining world‑class food safety standards, optimizing costs, and steering continuous improvement. You will also play a critical customer‑facing rolestrengthening partnerships, understanding market demand, and ensuring top‑tier service delivery.

What Youll Do

• Oversee all factory activities including production, packaging, warehousing, and logistics.
• Manage production planning to meet customer demand while reducing downtime and waste.
• Drive continuous improvement to enhance efficiency, yield, and cost‑effectiveness.

• Uphold stringent food safety standards (HACCP, FSSC 22000, GMP).
• Monitor product quality and quality control processes.
• Manage and resolve customer complaints with urgency and professionalism.

• Lead and motivate production teams to achieve operational excellence.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and teamwork.
• Conduct performance reviews and develop succession pipelines.

• Manage budgets and optimize operational costs.
• Track key KPIs including production output, OEE, wastage, and downtime.
• Work with procurement to secure cost‑effective raw materials and packaging.

• Enforce compliance with OHSA and internal safety policies.
• Champion sustainability efforts across energy, waste, and sourcing.

They are looking for someone with the following:

• Degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Food Technology, or similar.
• 57 years experience in food manufacturingideally cereals, snacks, or bakery.
• Proven success in managing high‑volume FMCG production.
• Strong understanding of HACCP, GMP, ISO/FSSC 22000, and South African regulations.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and production planning platforms.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Analytical thinker with excellent problem‑solving ability.
• Effective communication and relationship‑building skills.