Processing Manager – Talent Pool

For decades, Rainbow Chicken has been a trusted name in South Africa's poultry industry — known for quality, resilience, and innovation. As we continue to grow, we're looking for exceptional leaders to help shape the next chapter of our journey.

This opportunity is part of our
Management Talent Pool
— a proactive initiative to identify and engage top talent ahead of future leadership needs. While there may not be an immediate vacancy, joining the talent pool means you'll be considered for upcoming roles aligned to your skills and experience as they arise.

If you're passionate about driving excellence, sustainability, and feeding the nation, we invite you to express interest and become part of our pipeline for future leadership opportunities.

Qualification and Experience:

• A Diploma/ Degree in Production Management/Engineering.
• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience preferably in a unionized food processing plant with 2 years in a management position.
• An abattoir hygiene or meat inspection qualification would be preferable.
• Poultry processing experience would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of TQMS systems would be preferable.
• Have a valid code B/EB (Code 08) driver's license with access to his/her own transport.
• Able to work shifts, weekends, and Public Holidays.
• Clear Criminal record.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy into Action Operationalisation

• Provide input into the Business strategy by keeping up with the latest trends and developmental processing.
• Provide input into annual SIAs and execute on annual objectives.
• Contribute to the relationship between cross-functional processing teams to ensure service delivery.

Operations Management

• Drive Processing asset productivity through agreed KPIs and efficiencies.
• Report weekly on actual Processing KPIs versus budget and address non-conformances promptly.
• Maintain high housekeeping standards to uphold Processing's appearance and image.
• Respond to variances between planned production and bird size; adjust production plans accordingly.
• Manage Processing yield factors and implement plans to reduce losses.
• Analyse downtime, explain production losses, and implement preventative actions.
• Manage labour resources within budget to meet required outputs.
• Liaise with New Product Development to ensure staff, equipment, and materials are available for trials.
• Guide and prepare the Processing team for customer and statutory audits.
• Support the plant management system to ensure SIC delivery.
• Align production capacities and product mix with the planning department.
• Continuously adjust manloading and equipment availability to meet changing production priorities.
• Monitor volumes and equipment; escalate issues to the Factory and Engineering Managers.
• Collaborate with Engineering to align equipment performance and maintenance with production needs.

Safety, Health, Risk and Quality Oversight

• Ensure legislative and industry standard compliance; take prompt corrective action where needed.
• Chair and facilitate regular safety meetings and ensure action points are implemented.
• Drive adherence to ISO 22000 / 14000 / 18000 standards within the Total Integrated Management System.
• Ensure consistent application of documentation required for the Total Integrated Management System.
• Drive in-process quality control aligned with supply chain and customer requirements.
• Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable practices (e.g., water, electricity, gas conservation).

Maintenance Oversight

• Develop and implement an equipment maintenance programme (routine and non-routine).
• Monitor maintenance execution to ensure equipment performance supports production outputs.

Financial Management

• Report and manage all input costs within area of responsibility.
• Address over- or under-spending before significant financial loss occurs.
• Authorise expenses within authority limits and monitor spending activity.
• Innovate and implement cost containment measures.

Contract & Project Management

• Manage contractors and outsourced activities to required standards.
• Manage project plans in conjunction with project teams.
• Oversee project implementation in area of responsibility.

Staff Management

• Lead Processing teams to meet strategic targets using the full talent management system.
• Deliver on succession plans to develop future leaders and specialists.
• Implement Employment Equity to meet diversity and statutory targets.
• Identify team training needs and coordinate with the training department.
• Conduct operational meetings, maintain records, and ensure delivery on objectives.
• Manage employee relations and take corrective action in line with legislation and company policy.
• Build strong relationships with Unions to minimise industrial conflict.

South Africa

Published Date: 02 October 2025

Closing Date: 30 June 2026