Job Purpose
The overall purpose of the job is to provide strategic oversight of the production plan and schedules, manage the production process by ensuring full optimization of the production plant and ensure the final product is of the highest standard and quality while meeting the health and safety guidelines.
Key duties and responsibilities
- Direct the activities of the production facility relating to milk and other value-added products;
- Define new products with specific emphasis on high value products to improve the product offering in the market and have best of class in the market;
- Support the Factory Manager and ensure customer orders are received, scheduled, produced and shipped at the lowest possible cost to meet the customers’ requirements while maintaining corporate established quality standards;
- Collaborate with the Quality Assurance function in the company to ensure that it supports the QA standards and compliance and assess potential food security risks,
- Ensure food security preventive measures are being implemented and routinely audited regarding the handling, processing, and storage of all food ingredients as well as finished dairy products;
- Analyze production operations to ensure that the facility maintains a leadership position in the industry and that it takes advantage of new processes and technologies that become available;
- Responsible for expense control, including labor and overhead costs in the production department for all high value products;
- Develop annual production expense budgets in accordance with forecasted sales volumes and planned inventory levels for the high value products;
- Provide reliable and accurate reports to management to ensure that end of month closing schedules are met;
- Ensure that appropriate standard operating procedures are developed and maintained for all aspects of production;
- Implement new and support the current plant safety programs and ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices;
- Support all internal, customer and statutory audits to ensure compliance;
- Ensure that all applicable food safety standards are implemented;
- Verify all the applicable Critical Control Points (CCPs) and Operational Prerequisite Programmes (OPRPs), Prerequisite Programmes (PRPs);
- Responsible for maintaining proper staffing levels, employee performance evaluations, discipline, and employee recommendations for the high value production department;
- Responsible for the overall staff performance including succession planning and development of high value production staff; and
- Any other responsibilities assigned to the job holder by the supervisor from time to time.
Working relationships
Internal Relationships: Finance, Engineering, Procurement, EHS, Quality, Logistics/dispatch
External Relationships: None
Knowledge, experience and qualifications required
- Bachelor’s degree in food science, Dairy Technology, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in a production management role, preferably in the dairy or food processing industry.
- Strong knowledge of dairy processing technologies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Proven track record in managing production teams, optimizing processes, and driving continuous improvement.
- Experience with ERP systems and production planning tools.
Competencies
Key Skills and Competencies
- Leadership: Ability to lead and inspire a diverse team to achieve production goals and drive continuous improvement.
- Analytical Thinking: Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make informed decisions.
- Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Quality Focus: Commitment to maintaining high standards of quality and safety in all production activities.
- Adaptability: Ability to manage change and respond to unforeseen challenges in a fast-paced environment.
- Financial Acumen: Understanding of production costs and the ability to manage budgets effectively.
Decision-making
- The job holder has decision making authority on key decisions in the department within existing guidelines and provides recommendations to facilitate final decisions.
Information
- The job holder deals with very confidential information e.g.: production plans, volumes, income, product recipes, etc. The job requires a high level of confidentiality
Working Conditions
Working Environment: Job is office based with minimum disagreeable conditions
Job Hazards: The job has minimal exposure to hazards or risks
