Salary offered: Market related and dependent on experience.
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Position type: Full time, permanent position.
About the company
Our client is seeking an experienced and strategically minded Head of Operations: Production to lead and oversee a diverse group of manufacturing operations spanning non-alcoholic beverages, dairy, soap production, and bakery manufacturing.
This is a senior executive leadership role responsible for driving operational excellence, financial performance, and long-term strategic growth across multiple production sites. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping and executing the overall manufacturing strategy while ensuring efficiency, quality, and scalability across all business units.
Key Responsibilities
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Develop and implement an integrated operational strategy across all manufacturing facilities, focused on sustainable growth, profitability, and operational excellence
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Oversee end-to-end performance of all production units against budgets, revenue targets, and profitability goals
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Analyse financial and operational performance, identify trends, and provide actionable insights and recommendations to executive leadership
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Lead the annual business planning and budgeting process and ensure disciplined execution throughout the financial year
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Optimise production processes, capacity utilisation, and cost efficiency across all sites
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Drive continuous improvement initiatives, innovation, and product development across manufacturing divisions
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Build, lead, and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, performance, and operational discipline
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Collaborate closely with technical, logistics, and commercial teams to ensure integrated and efficient operations
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Ensure strict compliance with quality assurance and food safety standards across all facilities
Requirements
Requirements
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5–8+ years’ experience in food manufacturing, FMCG, or production management, with at least part of this at senior management level
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Tertiary qualification in Food Science, Engineering, Production Management, or a related field
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Strong technical understanding of manufacturing processes and production environments
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Proven track record in strategic planning and execution within complex operational settings
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Strong financial acumen, including the ability to interpret financial statements and drive data-led business decisions
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Experience managing multi-site or multi-departmental operations will be highly advantageous
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Strong leadership capability with experience managing large teams
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Excellent problem-solving ability with strong attention to detail
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Ability to perform effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment
Personal Attributes
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Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness
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Results-driven, decisive, and execution-focused
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Analytical and structured in approach
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Innovative with a continuous improvement mindset
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High sense of ownership, accountability, and integrity