Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Operations/Production Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, a relevant Dairy qualification, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years' proven experience in a production management role within the manufacturing industry, preferably in dairy, cheese or a related food manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to coach, develop and motivate teams.
• Sound decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to perform effectively under pressure.
• High attention to detail with a strong focus on quality, food safety and operational excellence.
• Commitment to company policies, procedures and values.
• Willingness to work overtime when operational requirements demand.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the Natural Cheese, Processed Cheese and Cheese Packing manufacturing facilities.
• Ensure production targets, yields, efficiencies and waste reduction objectives are achieved.
• Maintain GMP standards, housekeeping, product quality and food safety requirements across all cheese manufacturing areas.
• Ensure compliance with all Health and Safety regulations while maintaining a safe working environment.
• Provide strong leadership, effective communication and day-to-day management of production teams.
• Develop employees through coaching, training, mentoring and performance management.
• Plan and manage production activities to ensure adherence to production schedules, product specifications and quality standards.
• Collaborate with purchasing, supply chain, engineering and quality departments to ensure the availability of raw materials, packaging, equipment and resources.
• Implement production strategies to optimise resources, reduce costs and maximise operational efficiency without compromising quality or food safety.
• Develop and oversee production schedules, ensuring efficient allocation of labour, equipment and materials.
• Identify production risks, bottlenecks and process deviations, implementing corrective actions where required.
• Monitor and analyse production performance data to identify trends and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with safety, health, environmental, quality and food safety standards.
• Work closely with the engineering department to evaluate and implement new technologies, equipment upgrades and process improvements.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging innovation and implementing best manufacturing practices.