Factory Manager

Recruiter: Merand Corbett & Associates

Job Ref: CPT002247/CW

Date posted: Friday, August 21, 2026

Location: Airport Industria, South Africa

SUMMARY: Our client is seeking an experienced Factory Manager with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or Manufacturing and 8–10 years’ FMCG experience, including at least 5 years in a senior management role.

The ideal candidate is a strong operational leader with solid expertise in food manufacturing, production planning, food safety (HACCP/GMP), lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement. They must be highly capable in KPI management, data-driven decision-making, and ERP/MES systems, with a proven ability to lead teams, drive performance, and deliver results in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

POSITION INFO: Educational requirements & experience: Bachelor's degree or similar in Manufacturing, Operations management, Engineering or Industrial Engineering. Minimum of 8-10 Years' proven experience in FMCG environment. Management experience essential, min of 5 years in a senior management role. Manufacturing excellence - in depth understanding of Food manufacturing processes, implementing lean manufacturing principles continuous improvement initiatives. Automation/Industry 4.0 exposure desirable. Technical & Functional skills: Strong understanding of food safety systems: HACCP, GMP, hygiene and microbiological risk control. Deep knowledge of manufacturing operations: production planning & control, line balancing, changeovers, capacity planning. Competence in KPI management and variance analysis for COS, overheads, yield, and productivity. Hands-on familiarity with CI methodologies (Lean, TPM, Kaizen, 5S, problem-solving tools such as fishbone, 5-Why, A3. Working knowledge of maintenance practices, OEE, and reliability concepts (in conjunction with Engineering). Comfortable with data and systems: ERP/MES, production reporting, Excel/BI tools Candidate Essentials Strong ability to execute strategy through clear operational planning and disciplined delivery. Proven people leadership skills with the ability to coach, develop, and hold teams accountable. Decisive and resilient under pressure, with strong problem-solving and decision-making ability. Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on innovation and operational excellence. Strong collaboration and influencing skills across cross-functional teams. Clear and effective communication skills at all organisational levels. High level of integrity with a strong focus on compliance, safety, and food safety standards. Key Accountabilities: Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance Ensure the plant operates in full compliance with food safety, health & safety, and environmental legislation and standards (e.g. FSSC 22000, ISO 45001, HACCP). Product Quality to Specification Ensure all products consistently meet agreed quality specifications (sensory, microbiological, chemical, packaging) and customer requirements, with minimal quality complaints and rework. On Time, In Full (OTIF) Achieve required service levels and OTIF targets across all SKUs, ensuring reliable and consistent customer supply. Cost, Margin & Profitability Management Deliver agreed factory cost targets (Cost of Sales and overheads) and support achievement of overall business margin and profitability objectives. Operational Efficiency & Asset Utilisation Improve and sustain key operational KPIs including OEE, yield, labour productivity, waste/scrap reduction, downtime reduction, and capacity utilisation across all shifts. People Leadership, Culture & Capability Development Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing production team aligned with company values, safety culture, and operational excellence expectations. Continuous Improvement & Innovation Drive structured continuous improvement initiatives and problem-solving to enhance safety, quality, cost, service, and sustainability outcomes in line with CI roadmap. Risk Management & Business Continuity Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks (food safety, H&S, equipment, utilities, supply chain, and labour), ensuring effective contingency and recovery plans. Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate effectively with Maintenance/Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Commercial, Finance, HR, and external partners to achieve operational and business objectives. Compliance, Governance & Reporting Ensure adherence to internal policies, audit requirements, and industry standards, and provide accurate, timely reporting on operational performance and incidents. Key Responsibilities: Production Planning & Scheduling Develop and execute production plans with Planning/Procurement. Approve daily and weekly schedules, optimise line utilisation, manage changeovers, and address deviations such as breakdowns or material shortages. Operational Performance & Cost Control Own key factory KPIs (OEE, yield, waste, labour productivity, utilities, COS, overheads). Analyse variances and implement corrective actions, driving cost efficiency and waste reduction. People Leadership & Development Lead and develop production teams, set performance expectations, manage performance, and build capability, accountability, and teamwork across all shifts. Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving Drive Lean/TPM/5S/Kaizen initiatives and structured root cause problem-solving to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and flow. Maintenance & Asset Reliability Collaborate with Engineering to ensure equipment reliability, support maintenance planning, and provide input on upgrades, capacity, and automation. Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Promote a zero-harm culture, ensure compliance with HSE standards, and oversee risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective actions. Reporting & Performance Management Deliver accurate operational reporting and KPI tracking, including production performance, variances, incidents, and improvement progress. Shortlisted applicants will be required to undergo relevant psychometric assessments and interview screening. *ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED*