Unit Manager : Production at The Coca-Cola Company

Job Description    

• Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) has an exciting opportunity in our department. We are looking for a  talented individual with relevant skills and experience for an Unit Manager : Production role, which is based in Wadeville. 

Key Duties & Responsibilities    
Key Outcomes

Production Management

• Plan and monitor daily and weekly production schedules to achieve volume, efficiency, and quality targets.
• Analyze production performance and drive corrective actions to meet operational KPIs.
• Ensure accurate recording of production data and maintain production records.

Asset Care and Equipment Reliability

• Support Engineering and Maintenance Manager in planning and executing preventive and autonomous maintenance activities.
• Foster operator ownership of equipment through Autonomous Maintenance practices.
• Participate in root cause analysis of equipment failures and implement corrective actions.

Cost and Resource Management

• Develop and manage operational budgets for the production unit, including labor, materials, and overheads.
• Monitor cost performance against budget, identifying and addressing variances.
• Drive waste reduction and efficient resource utilization.

Quality and Food Safety

• Enforce adherence to Quality at Source principles and compliance with QFSE standards.
• Collaborate with the QFSE Manager to investigate and resolve quality issues, implementing preventive actions.
• Promote continuous improvement in product quality and process reliability.

Safety, Health, and Environmental Compliance

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations and company policies.
• Conduct safety inspections, risk assessments, and incident investigations.
• Promote a culture of safety through training, communication, and visible leadership.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and prioritize performance improvement opportunities based on KPI analysis and process performance.
• Lead problem-solving sessions and implement solutions to eliminate root causes.
• Collaborate with the Continuous Improvement Specialist to embed lean practices.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, coach, and mentor Production Team Leaders and Training Controllers to build capability and drive engagement.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and manage individual development plans.
• Ensure that training and skills development are prioritized and aligned with operational requirements.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Engage with peers (e.g., Stores, Quality, Engineering, Projects) to optimize supply chain flow, resource allocation, and plant reliability.
• Foster a collaborative and solutions-oriented work environment.

Functional Capabilities

• Production Planning and Execution
• Quality and Food Safety Assurance
• Safety and Environmental Compliance
• Cost Control and Resource Management
• Asset Care 
• Continuous Improvement
• Performance Monitoring and Reporting
• Root Cause Analysis and Problem Solving
• Training and Capability Building
• People and Team Leadership

KBI

• Production Volume Adherence (%)
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Line Efficiency and Downtime %
• Waste Reduction (% Yield Loss, Scrap Rate)
• Labor Productivity (Cases per Man Hour)
• Health & Safety Incidents (LTIs, Near Misses)
• Quality Incidents / Right First Time
• Training Completion and Skills Matrix Coverage
• Cost per Unit / Operational Cost Variance
• Employee Engagement and Retention Metrics

Skills, Experience & Education    
Education

• National Diploma or Degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Relevant 3 year post matric qualification (N6 or S4 Diploma) and technical and/or production management experience.

Experience

• 5–8 years in manufacturing operations, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management capacity
• Proven track record in managing high-volume production environments, preferably FMCG or beverage industry
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving CI projects

Skills

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing and bottling operations
• Proficient in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, or similar methodologies
• Data analysis and interpretation of operational metrics (OEE, yield, etc.)
• Budgeting and cost control understanding
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite 
• Familiarity with manufacturing systems such 
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Understanding of South African labour law and OHSA preferable

Deadline:31st July,2025