Job Purpose

The Production Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating production operations to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality output. This includes planning, scheduling, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement. The role ensures alignment with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), safety standards, and organizational goals, while building a culture of accountability and operational excellence.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Planning
• Support the Operations Business Plan by aligning team goals with broader company objectives.

• Set, monitor, and review performance targets and KPIs; identify gaps and propose improvements.

• Monitor trends in demand, capacity, and performance to support strategic decisions and contingency planning.

• Collaborate on cross-functional initiatives including automation and process modernization.

Production Management & Scheduling
• Oversee production planning to ensure alignment between sales forecasts, capacity, and inventory.

• Guide the Production Planner on schedules that support both local and export markets.

• Prioritize daily production to meet order deadlines and service standards.

Quality Assurance & Compliance
• Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, ISO 9001, and internal quality systems.

• Investigate customer complaints and quality issues, lead root cause analysis and corrective actions.

• Ensure data accuracy related to production counts and reporting.

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)
• Promote a strong safety culture across all shifts.

• Coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance to reduce downtime and ensure safe operations.

Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
• Track and improve efficiency metrics: yield, schedule adherence, labour utilization, and downtime.

• Drive continuous improvement using Lean tools.

• Identify and mitigate risks to production continuity, including staffing or material shortfalls.

Team Leadership & Development
• Deliver job-specific training and support professional development for supervisors and line staff in accordance with OSHA standards and other regulatory requirements.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and engagement.

• Support recruitment and onboarding processes aligned with performance and cultural expectations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead regular meetings with QA, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to ensure aligned execution.

• Coordinate with Finance and supply chain to optimize raw material yields, reduce waste, and support timely replenishment.

• Collaborate with the Sales and Export teams to ensure production schedules align with market forecasts, customer promotions, and export deadlines—improving service levels and minimizing product ageing.

• Partner with QA and R&D to support the seamless introduction of new or reformulated SKUs, including trial production, line validation, and root cause analysis for early defects or deviations.

Reporting & Systems Management
• Prepare weekly/monthly reports to inform operational decisions.

• Support enhancements to production systems to improve accuracy, efficiency, and visibility.

• Perform any other duties related to the effective operation of the production unit.

Skills & knowledge required
• Production Management: Strong grasp of manufacturing flow, scheduling, and yield optimization.

• Leadership: Proven ability to motivate and develop teams in a fast-paced environment.

• Quality & Compliance: Working knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and ISO 9001.

• HSE: Committed to maintaining a safe workplace and enforcing safety protocols.

• Problem Solving: Skilled in root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent coordination across operations and support teams.

• Data-Driven Thinking: Comfortable using KPIs, dashboards, and systems to drive performance.

• Training: Ability to identify capability gaps and support workforce development.

• Budgeting: Experience in managing operational and capital budgets.

Qualifications & Experience required
• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field (mandatory).

• Postgraduate qualifications (e.g., MBA, Six Sigma) are an asset.

• Formal training in GMP, HACCP, or ISO standards is preferred.

• Experience with ERP/MRP systems is required.

• Minimum 6 years in a production or operations leadership role in a manufacturing environment.