AVI Ltd. is known for its leading household brands across many categories including hot beverages, sweet and savoury biscuits and snacks, frozen convenience foods, personal care products, cosmetics, shoes, accessories, and fashion apparel.

NATIONAL BRANDS LIMITED operates 5 manufacturing sites, offering world-class manufacturing facilities in Isando (Johannesburg), Rosslyn (Pretoria), Westmead and Durban (KZN). It is home to some of the best-known South African tea, coffee and creamer brands, including our delicious range of much-loved savoury and sweet biscuits, and our melt-in-your-mouth snack range

A career opportunity exists for a Production Manager based at the Westmead Biscuit factory. We seek to attract a

Technical expert to take on the challenging role of Production Manager to lead and support the Production team in order to meet customer requirements and ensure that world class production and quality targets are achieved in the most cost effective manner. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of no less than 5 years in a leadership role in a production environment and be in possession of the relevant tertiary qualification. This role will report directly to the Manufacturing Manager.

Job Specification:

Key Performance Areas:

• To effectively empower and develop staff through goal setting and performance management in-order to enable them to contribute effectively and make the right decisions.
• Ensuring high efficiency, excellent quality and low waste.
• To ensure optimal production through effective liaison with all other support functions.
• Manage and ensure cost effective labour usage in accordance with MANMAPS.
• Analysing and resolving production history in order to minimize potential risk.
• To ensure that operating specifications are in place and are achievable (correctly implemented).
• To ensure the right talent are recruited and identified for development.
• Implementation of the correct business strategies.
• Effectively manage operational budget and cost effectiveness.
• To ensure implementation and adherence to SHEQ; QMS and food safety.

Minimum Requirements:

Experience:                                                                   

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a production leadership role with in an FMCG environment overseeing baking plant/s
• Experience working in a high-speed manufacturing environment required

Qualifications:

• A relevant completed Food Technology Degree / B-Tech is essential as a minimum

Additional Requirements:

• Good understanding and knowledge of baking processes and ingredient science including fats.
• Basic understanding of Chocolate and Jam manufacturing
• Hands on capabilities and skills in operating baking equipment is welcomed
• Good Excel and data analysis skills including statistical analysis
• Good written and numeracy skills
• Passionate about Food Science and Technology, specifically Baking.
• Excellent People Management skills
• Understanding Process Flow
• Good IR knowledge and skills
• Good working knowledge of MS Office and Outlook
• Good knowledge of SHEQ and Continuous Improvement
• Safety and environmental exposure
• Lean Manufacturing Principles
• Experience in SAP Manufacturing & HR will be an added advantage.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of WCM or TPM
• Management Information Systems such as Wonderware or Shopware or SCADA
• Exposure to AIB / GMP’s and FSSC systems
• SOP’s; Work Instructions and OPL’s formalizing & training