Production Manager – Dairy Industry – Queenstown
Our client in the Dairy industry is seeking an experienced Production Manager for their team based in Queenstown.
Qualifications
Grade 12 / Matric
Diploma or Degree
Food Technology, Dairy Science or Production Management
7–10 years’ experience in cheese production (hard, processed or mozzarella)
Minimum 5 years at management level
Strong experience in Budget and KPI management
Proven leadership of large operational teams
Strong problem‑solving, planning, and analytical skills
Excellent communication and stakeholder management ability
Results‑driven, hands‑on leadership style
Responsibilities
Manage and oversee all cheese production and packaging processes
Plan and control daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules
Ensure consistent output in line with customer demand and forecasts
Drive lean manufacturing, efficiency improvement, and waste reduction
Coordinate with Engineering to reduce downtime and optimise equipment usage
Ensure compliance with FSSC 22000 (V6), HACCP, GMP and food safety regulations
Lead all internal and external audits with full audit readiness
Maintain hygiene standards, CCPs, allergen controls, and traceability systems
Monitor and control production KPIs: yield, throughput, wastage, labour, downtime, and cost per unit
Analyse performance data and implement corrective actions
Lead, mentor and develop supervisors, team leaders and frontline staff
Build a high‑performance, safety‑driven production culture
Work cross‑functionally with Quality, Supply Chain, Technical and SHE teams
Participate in customer visits and technical reviews
Act as escalation point for key production or quality issues
Drive continuous improvement and lead root cause analysis for recurring issues
Note: Please note that if you do not receive a response within two weeks of applying, you may consider your application unsuccessful.
