Job Description

• The purpose of the role is to oversee the daily operations of a manufacturing plant and develops strategies to ensure it meets production goals at minimal cost.
• The performance must be achieved through operational excellence, people leadership and a continuous improvement driven mind-set with a balanced approach between efficiency results and customer service delivery.
• In addition, the achievement of the company’s expectations must be delivered through professional and morally sound work ethics as embedded through Lactalis SA for opportunities in Gauteng and Western Cape

Required Skills

• Minimum experience 5-10 years in operations management, ideally in FMCG
• Dairy knowledge essential, this is critical in structures where a small management team or flat structure exists. Hence, the Plant Manager is required to make day to day product specific decisions.
• B.Com Degree in management plus experience in production or B.Sc. Food science Degree or B. Eng. Degree plus general management experience
• Be a leader and able to motivate people to support business
• Have experience and operating knowledge on all plant business units

Duties & Responsibilities

• Compile annual budget (cost and capital) according to company systems requirement
• Forecast, compile and control annual budget in line with labour efficiency standards
• Report monthly on budget adherence
• Minimise input costs and raw material usage/ waste
• Minimise cost on product and packaging
• Optimise fixed and overhead costs (labour and energy) against demand forecast and production requirements
• Ensure accuracy of Monitoring Systems
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of information to be forwarded for compiling reports to Corporate
• Maintain product quality according to health and quality specifications
• Ensure conformance to all quality processes
• Ensure functionality of QMS audited by Head Office QA department
• Ensure conformance to good safety requirements ie ISO22000
• Compile and manage production plan according to targets
• Ensure adequate maintenance of plant equipment
• Identify systemic variables impeding production efficiency and create plans to address total production elements
• Plan and implement changes required for new product manufactured and ensure minimum disruption to existing operations effectiveness
• Manage all projects and deliver on them in terms of agreed project specification and budget
• Maintain systems such as ISO, HACCP, Continuous Improvement Programme, TQM, TPM, NOSA, etc.
• Plan annual human resource capacity and development needs
• Instil and develop profit maximisation appreciation among all plant staff
• Fill vacancies according to company policy by using competency based recruitment methodology
• Facilitate plant objective setting and performance management system
• Review and maintain communication structures and procedures to ensure people are informed and able to provide their inputs at all organisational levels (e.g. People@Work Committee, Union and Management meetings, Mini Business Units, Townhalls)
• Develop a sense of pride, discipline and high productivity throughout plant
• Ensure harmonious working relationships across all levels and functions
• Develop Workplace Skills Plans and through Talent Management identify talent and plan to manage the talent
• Personify and maintain Lactalis SA values, staff morale and motivation throughout plant
• Maintain adherence to EE targets