Western Cape: Production Shift Manager posted by Merand Corbett & Associates

About the Role

The Production Shift Manager role is a critical leadership position within our FMCG food and beverage manufacturing operations in the Western Cape region. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading all production activities during the shift, ensuring optimal utilisation of labour, equipment, and materials, while maintaining a strong culture of safety, food safety, quality, and operational compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all production activities during the shift, including blending, pasteurisation, filling, packing, cleaning, and associated processes.
• Drive a strong culture of safety, food safety, quality, and operational compliance.
• Execute production plans and ensure optimal utilisation of labour, equipment, and materials.
• Manage line performance, downtime, changeovers, waste, and productivity to achieve operational targets.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP, FSSC/ISO, hygiene, and high-care manufacturing requirements.
• Lead, coach, and develop chargehands, team leaders, operators, and production teams.
• Manage attendance, performance, discipline, and employee engagement on shift.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on OEE, waste reduction, quality, and efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with Quality, Engineering, Planning, Warehouse, and HR teams.
• Ensure accurate reporting, shift handovers, and production documentation.

Requirements

• Grade 12 (Matric)
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Production Management, Operations Management, Food Technology, Industrial Engineering, or similar preferred

Qualifications

• No specific qualifications mentioned

Salary & Benefits

• No salary information provided

Key Performance areas

• Health & Safety Performance
• Food Safety & Quality Compliance
• Production Plan Adherence
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Labour Productivity
• Waste, Rework & Yield Management
• Downtime Reduction
• Order fill (ONIF)
• Team Leadership & Employee Engagement
• Continuous Improvement Delivery

Personal attributes

• Safety and food safety & Quality first
• Strong leader with presence on the floor, visible, fair and firm
• Results driven, with high levels of ownership and accountability
• Good communicator across all levels of the business
• Adaptable and calm under pressure, able to manage multiple priorities
• Continuous improvement mindset, open to change and innovation
• High integrity, ethical and compliant with policies and procedures
• Collaborative team player who works well with other functions