Production Manager

**Job Overview**:

- **Application Deadline**: 5 December 2025
- **Job Location**: Cape Town, Western Cape
- **Job Title**: Production Manager (Food Industry)
- **Education Level**: Diploma
- **Job Level**: Management
- **Minimum Experience**: 5- 7 Years

**Production Manager (Food Industry) required in Cape Town.**:
Are you experienced in the food sector, leading teams, driving operational excellence for successful production processes? Our client based in Claremont needs a Product Manager to run their successful food operation in line with sales targets, managing inventory, quality, staff, suppliers and new product development.

Excellent opportunity for a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced food environment delivering quality, efficiency, and team performance.

**Requirements**:

- Matric certificate and relevant tertiary qualification in operations or production
- A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a production management role in the food industry (preferably in a restaurant and/or catering environment)
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Proven ability to lead and motivate a diverse team
- Excellent organisational and planning skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage production schedules and meet deadlines
- Ability to problem-solve and make sound decisions
- Flexible and adaptable to changing needs in a dynamic environment

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Draw up a production schedule and monitor processes in line with sales forecasts, capacity and resources
- Manage all activities within the production process, including maintenance and the workforce
- Develop, implement and enforce production policies and SOPs
- Manage Inventory requirements - daily stock levels in line with production usage
- Track shrinkage and wastage on a weekly, monthly and annual basis
- Keep accurate records of stock takes twice a month, update stock data system, document wastage
- Define and implement product quality standards (including weight testing)
- Ensure recipes are followed and products are produced to standard daily
- Train staff, supervise/motivate employees, & department (contracts/leave/sick/pay)
- Manage strict health checks, product costs, assist with new product costing models
- Analyse budgets and continuously control production costs and identify/rectify waste measures
- Identify opportunities for expense reduction/savings
- Manage all supplier relationships affecting production
- Manage and support SHEQ initiatives and objectives for products and staff
- Assess production constraints for new products
- Manage logistics to ensure production coincides with launch dates
- Define and implement product quality standards (including weight testing)
- Ensure recipes are followed and products are produced to standard daily
- Train staff on quality standards and monitor ongoing adherence to standards
- Enforce product quality and time management standards
- Conduct regular quality checks through taste panels
- Plan and schedule regular cleaning
- Maintain strict health checks to mitigate any risk of transference to products, customers or staff
- Devise and implement customer retention strategies and loyalty programmes
- Monitor the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and report performance
- Understand raw material pricing and fluctuations throughout the year
- Determine optimal purchasing times (e.g., specials)
- Manage product costs and assist with new product costing models
- Analyse budgets and continuously control production costs and identify/rectify waste measures
- Identify opportunities for expense reduction/savings
- Prepare and report on product costing & wastage (weekly, monthly and annually)
- Manage logistics to ensure production coincides with launch dates