Branch Manager – Food Safety & Compliance Consulting at Kontak Recruitment

• We are looking for an ambitious Branch Manager to establish and grow the Mpumalanga region for a respected food safety and compliance consultancy. This is a hands-on leadership role suited to someone who can deliver consulting, training, and compliance services while building a profitable regional client base.
• As the branch develops, the role will move increasingly into strategic leadership, team management, operational performance, and commercial growth. It is ideal for someone who enjoys combining technical expertise with client-facing, entrepreneurial leadership.

Benefits

• Hybrid/remote working structure with travel to client sites
• Career development and training opportunities

Minimum Requirements:

• Afrikaans as a first or second language is desirable

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, Quality Management, Business Management, Operations Management, or a related field
• Additional management, leadership, sales, or business development training will be advantageous

Experience

• 3–5 years’ management experience within food safety, quality assurance, compliance, consulting, or a related environment
• Experience implementing and maintaining food safety management systems
• Strong business development and client relationship management experience
• Experience leading teams and managing multiple projects
• Exposure to financial management, budgeting, and branch performance reporting

Technical Knowledge

• Strong working knowledge of food safety and quality management systems, including FSSC 22000, HACCP, BRCGS, GLOBALG.A.P, GFSI standards, SIZA, and ISO 9001.

Key Skills

• Leadership and people management
• Project management and operational coordination
• Business development, sales, and proposal writing
• Financial and commercial acumen
• Client relationship management
• Report writing, communication, and presentation skills
• Strategic planning and execution

Personal Attributes

• Customer-focused, professional, and ethical
• Commercially minded, results-oriented, and entrepreneurial
• Positive, resilient, organised, and deadline-driven
• Confident communicator and strong relationship builder
• Collaborative team player who is passionate about helping clients succeed

Responsibilities:

Business Development & Growth

• Establish and grow a profitable regional client base
• Drive sales activity and identify new business opportunities
• Build strong relationships with clients and industry stakeholders
• Support sales and marketing initiatives for the region
• Review and approve quotations, proposals, and project costings

Food Safety & Compliance Consulting

• Deliver consulting, training, and compliance services to clients
• Implement and support food safety management systems aligned to relevant standards, including FSSC 22000, HACCP, BRCGS, GLOBALG.A.P, GFSI programmes, SIZA, and ISO 9001
• Conduct client visits and provide technical guidance
• Ensure all projects are delivered to a high professional standard

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop consulting and support staff
• Manage team performance against agreed KPIs and productivity targets
• Allocate resources effectively across projects and client engagements
• Encourage accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Conduct regular team meetings and performance reviews

Project, Financial & Operational Management

• Oversee consulting and implementation projects from initiation to completion
• Monitor project timelines, budgets, deliverables, risks, and client expectations
• Review monthly management accounts and branch performance metrics
• Monitor performance against budget and financial targets
• Present monthly business performance reports to the Director Group
• Ensure administration, compliance documentation, and accreditation requirements are completed accurately and on time