Factory Manager

Educational requirements & experience:

• Bachelor's degree or similar in Manufacturing, Operations management, Engineering or Industrial Engineering.
• Minimum of 8-10 Years’ proven experience in FMCG environment.
• Management experience essential, min of 5 years in a senior management role.
• Manufacturing excellence – in depth understanding of Food manufacturing processes, implementing lean manufacturing principles continuous improvement initiatives.
• Automation/Industry 4.0 exposure desirable.  

Technical & Functional skills:

• Strong understanding of food safety systems: HACCP, GMP, hygiene and microbiological risk control.
• Deep knowledge of manufacturing operations: production planning & control, line balancing, changeovers, capacity planning.
• Competence in KPI management and variance analysis for COS, overheads, yield, and productivity.
• Hands-on familiarity with CI methodologies (Lean, TPM, Kaizen, 5S, problem-solving tools such as fishbone, 5-Why, A3.
• Working knowledge of maintenance practices, OEE, and reliability concepts (in conjunction with Engineering).
• Comfortable with data and systems: ERP/MES, production reporting, Excel/BI tools

Candidate Essentials

• Strong ability to execute strategy through clear operational planning and disciplined delivery.
• Proven people leadership skills with the ability to coach, develop, and hold teams accountable.
• Decisive and resilient under pressure, with strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on innovation and operational excellence.
• Strong collaboration and influencing skills across cross-functional teams.
• Clear and effective communication skills at all organisational levels.
• High level of integrity with a strong focus on compliance, safety, and food safety standards.

• Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance
  Ensure the plant operates in full compliance with food safety, health & safety, and environmental legislation and standards (e.g. FSSC 22000, ISO 45001, HACCP).
• Product Quality to Specification
  Ensure all products consistently meet agreed quality specifications (sensory, microbiological, chemical, packaging) and customer requirements, with minimal quality complaints and rework.
• On Time, In Full (OTIF)
  Achieve required service levels and OTIF targets across all SKUs, ensuring reliable and consistent customer supply.
• Cost, Margin & Profitability Management
  Deliver agreed factory cost targets (Cost of Sales and overheads) and support achievement of overall business margin and profitability objectives.
• Operational Efficiency & Asset Utilisation
  Improve and sustain key operational KPIs including OEE, yield, labour productivity, waste/scrap reduction, downtime reduction, and capacity utilisation across all shifts.
• People Leadership, Culture & Capability Development
  Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing production team aligned with company values, safety culture, and operational excellence expectations.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
  Drive structured continuous improvement initiatives and problem-solving to enhance safety, quality, cost, service, and sustainability outcomes in line with CI roadmap.
• Risk Management & Business Continuity
  Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks (food safety, H&S, equipment, utilities, supply chain, and labour), ensuring effective contingency and recovery plans.
• Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  Collaborate effectively with Maintenance/Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Commercial, Finance, HR, and external partners to achieve operational and business objectives.
• Compliance, Governance & Reporting
  Ensure adherence to internal policies, audit requirements, and industry standards, and provide accurate, timely reporting on operational performance and incidents.

• Production Planning & Scheduling
  Develop and execute production plans with Planning/Procurement. Approve daily and weekly schedules, optimise line utilisation, manage changeovers, and address deviations such as breakdowns or material shortages.
• Operational Performance & Cost Control
  Own key factory KPIs (OEE, yield, waste, labour productivity, utilities, COS, overheads). Analyse variances and implement corrective actions, driving cost efficiency and waste reduction.
• People Leadership & Development
  Lead and develop production teams, set performance expectations, manage performance, and build capability, accountability, and teamwork across all shifts.
• Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving
  Drive Lean/TPM/5S/Kaizen initiatives and structured root cause problem-solving to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and flow.
• Maintenance & Asset Reliability
  Collaborate with Engineering to ensure equipment reliability, support maintenance planning, and provide input on upgrades, capacity, and automation.
• Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)
  Promote a zero-harm culture, ensure compliance with HSE standards, and oversee risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective actions.
• Reporting & Performance Management
  Deliver accurate operational reporting and KPI tracking, including production performance, variances, incidents, and improvement progress.

Shortlisted applicants will be required to undergo relevant psychometric assessments and interview screening.

*ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED*