Head of Operations: Production

About this role

Chief Operating Officer: Production
FMCG Manufacturing | Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Dairy, Soap & Bakery | Multi-Factory Operations
Location: Klapmuts/Franschhoek area.
Salary offered: Market related and dependent on experience.
Position type: Full time, permanent position.

Our client is seeking an experienced and strategically minded Head of Operations: Production to lead and oversee a diverse group of manufacturing operations spanning non-alcoholic beverages, dairy, soap production, and bakery manufacturing.
This is a senior executive leadership role responsible for driving operational excellence, financial performance, and long-term strategic growth across multiple production sites. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping and executing the overall manufacturing strategy while ensuring efficiency, quality, and scalability across all business units.

Key Responsibilities
Develop and implement an integrated operational strategy across all manufacturing facilities, focused on sustainable growth, profitability, and operational excellence
Oversee end-to-end performance of all production units against budgets, revenue targets, and profitability goals
Analyse financial and operational performance, identify trends, and provide actionable insights and recommendations to executive leadership
Lead the annual business planning and budgeting process and ensure disciplined execution throughout the financial year
Optimise production processes, capacity utilisation, and cost efficiency across all sites
Drive continuous improvement initiatives, innovation, and product development across manufacturing divisions
Build, lead, and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, performance, and operational discipline
Collaborate closely with technical, logistics, and commercial teams to ensure integrated and efficient operations
Ensure strict compliance with quality assurance and food safety standards across all facilities
Requirements
Requirements
5–8+ years’ experience in food manufacturing, FMCG, or production management, with at least part of this at senior management level
Tertiary qualification in Food Science, Engineering, Production Management, or a related field
Strong technical understanding of manufacturing processes and production environments
Proven track record in strategic planning and execution within complex operational settings
Strong financial acumen, including the ability to interpret financial statements and drive data-led business decisions
Experience managing multi-site or multi-departmental operations will be highly advantageous
Strong leadership capability with experience managing large teams
Excellent problem-solving ability with strong attention to detail
Ability to perform effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment

Personal Attributes
Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness
Results-driven, decisive, and execution-focused
Analytical and structured in approach
Innovative with a continuous improvement mindset
High sense of ownership, accountability, and integrity
Strong communicator in both Afrikaans and English