Factory Manager at HandPicked Recruitment

Position Overview

• A growing FMCG manufacturing business is seeking a hands-on Factory Manager to lead its Louis Trichardt production facility. This role is responsible for the full day-to-day operation of the factory, ensuring production targets, quality standards, operational discipline, and team accountability are consistently achieved.
• The successful candidate will lead a workforce of approximately 40 permanent staff members, scaling to 60+ during peak season, across production, quality, stores, dispatch, and related operations. This is a floor-based operational leadership role suited to someone who thrives in a lean, high-accountability manufacturing environment.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum Grade 12 / Matric certificate
• 3+ years’ management experience within food manufacturing, FMCG, packaging, or a related production environment
• Proven experience leading production teams directly on the factory floor
• Strong people leadership and performance management capability
• Experience managing operational targets including production output, quality, yield, and waste
• Ability to enforce discipline, SOPs, and operational standards consistently
• ERP system experience with daily operational usage
• Willingness to relocate to Louis Trichardt
• Valid driver’s licence

Strongly Preferred

• Relevant technical, engineering, production, or manufacturing qualification
• Experience with ERPNext or similar modern ERP systems
• Exposure to digital shop-floor systems, automated reporting, or operational technology tools
• Labour relations, CCMA, and IR experience
• Proven track record of improving team performance and operational efficiency
• Experience with continuous packaging equipment or FFS machinery
• Experience within a lean manufacturing or growth-stage business environment

Key Responsibilities
Production & Operational Management

• Oversee the full day-to-day operation of the factory site
• Ensure production targets, quality standards, yield, and operational KPIs are achieved
• Manage production scheduling and workforce planning according to operational demand
• Monitor and drive operational efficiency, waste reduction, and OEE performance
• Ensure accurate daily production and stock capturing on ERP systems

Team Leadership & Accountability

• Lead, coach, and manage supervisors, foremen, quality controllers, stores, dispatch, and production teams
• Drive accountability, performance management, and operational discipline across the site
• Conduct performance discussions, training, coaching, and employee development
• Maintain high standards of punctuality, safety, housekeeping, and workplace conduct

Dispatch & Logistics Coordination

• Oversee daily dispatch operations, including early morning dispatch processes
• Support dispatch teams with escalation management and operational problem-solving
• Coordinate fleet return processes and daily operational handovers

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, health, and safety standards
• Enforce SOP adherence and operational controls across all departments
• Maintain audit readiness and ensure site compliance standards are consistently met

Maintenance Coordination

• Coordinate maintenance requirements with engineering and maintenance teams
• Escalate equipment issues and verify operational readiness following repairs or maintenance work

Reporting & Administration

• Deliver weekly operational scorecards and KPI reporting
• Participate in weekly operational review meetings
• Approve timesheets and leave requests for site employees
• Maintain operational records required for audits and reporting purposes

Performance Measures
Success in the role will be measured against:

• Production output
• Yield and waste reduction
• OEE performance
• Quality and safety compliance
• Attendance and workforce discipline
• Dispatch performance
• Site audit results