Queenstown: Production Manager

January 5, 2026 Jobs in Border-Kei

Job Description

Minimum requirements: Grade 12 / Matric / Equivalent. Degree or Diploma in Food Technology, Dairy Science, Production Management, or a related field. Minimum 710 years experience in cheese production (hard, processed, or mozzarella), with at least 5 years at a management level. Strong working knowledge of FSSC 22000 and high-care manufacturing environments. Proven track record in managing production budgets, KPIs, and large operational teams. Personality Traits: Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving capability. Hands-on, decisive, and results-oriented leadership style. Excellent analytical, planning, and operational problem-solving capability. Ability to lead teams under pressure and deliver results in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence. Attention to detail, disciplined execution, and focus on quality compliance. Duties and responsibilities: Operational Management: Oversee all cheese production and packaging processes, ensuring consistent output and adherence to production schedules. Plan and manage daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules in line with business forecasts and customer demand. Optimise equipment utilisation and minimise downtime through proactive maintenance coordination with Engineering. Implement best-practice lean manufacturing principles to improve throughput, efficiency, and waste reduction. Food Safety, Quality, and Compliance: Ensure full compliance with FSSC 22000 (V6), HACCP, GMP, and all relevant regulatory requirements. Lead internal and external audits, ensuring 100% audit readiness. Implement, monitor, and maintain critical control points (CCPs), hygiene standards, allergen controls, and product traceability. Ensure finished products consistently meet quality specifications for texture, flavour, moisture, and packaging standards. Cost and Performance Management: Track and manage production KPIs, including yield, throughput, wastage, labour productivity, downtime, and cost per unit. Analyse production data to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for continuous improvement. Implement corrective actions to address inefficiencies, quality deviations, or non-compliance incidents. People Leadership and Development: Lead, mentor, and develop production supervisors, team leaders, and frontline staff. Set clear performance objectives and accountability for all production areas. Foster a culture of safety, discipline, high performance, and continuous improvement. Ensure adequate succession planning and skills development within the department. Stakeholder and Customer Engagement: Work closely with Quality, Supply Chain, Technical, and SHE teams to ensure seamless operations. Participate in customer visits, technical reviews, and ensure customer requirements are fully understood and implemented. Act as the primary point of escalation for any production or quality issues impacting key customers. Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Drive operational excellence initiatives to improve process reliability, reduce waste, and enhance product quality. Evaluate new technologies, equipment, and process innovations that could improve efficiency or product consistency. Lead root cause analysis investigations for recurring production issues.

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About Manufacturing Jobs in Lukanji

Manufacturing positions in Lukanji, South Africa typically fall within the broad engineering and production sector. This industry is generally driven by domestic demand for goods and services, with many multinational companies operating in the region. As a result, job opportunities in manufacturing are often found in industries such as technology, financial services, and basic metal products.

Generally, salaries for manufacturing positions in Lukanji can vary widely depending on factors such as experience, company size, industry sector, and specific job requirements. While broad salary ranges cannot be provided due to the fluctuating nature of these variables, it is common for entry-level manufacturing roles to start within a range of R150 000 – R250 000 per annum, increasing with experience and seniority. Senior roles or those in larger companies may command higher salaries, typically ranging from R300 000 – R500 000 or more per annum.

Common skills required for manufacturing positions include mechanical aptitude, problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, communication skills, and the ability to work well in a team environment. Additionally, proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD), project management tools, and lean manufacturing principles are often advantageous.

The manufacturing sector commonly employs individuals with expertise in production planning, quality control, and supply chain management. Industry sectors that frequently require these roles include technology, automotive, aerospace, and basic metal products.

Career development opportunities for manufacturing professionals can be extensive, with many companies offering training programs, mentorship schemes, and professional certifications to enhance skills. With experience, individuals may transition into supervisory or management roles, taking on responsibilities such as production planning, quality control, or supply chain management. Further education and training can also lead to specialized roles in research and development, product design, or operations management.

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This information provides general career guidance. Actual salaries and requirements vary by employer.

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