This role is open to Alrode-based applicants only.
The Production Manager plays a critical role in ensuring that manufacturing and material supply processes run efficiently, safely, and cost-effectively. This role is responsible for managing the entire bottling operation, overseeing the Raw Material department, and ensuring that all materials required for production are available when needed. A key function of this role includes demand planning — forecasting production requirements in line with sales projections and stock levels to prevent shortages or overproduction. The Production Manager ensures optimal resource allocation, minimizes downtime, and maintains compliance with quality, food safety, and health & safety standards. This position requires strong coordination between procurement, planning, logistics, and quality to ensure smooth operational flow and timely product delivery to customers
Experience: • 3–5 years in a food manufacturing environment. • 1–2 years in a production management role.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Performance • Ensure target performance on production lines. • Effective scheduling of production lines to ensure demand is met OTIF (Service Level of 95%). • Maintaining and analysing of production reports.
Stock Control • Monthly reporting on variances. • Ensure Inventory Accuracy. • Minimise stock excess cover and shortages.
Cost Management • Management of variances/waste on production lines. • Cost effective personnel scheduling. • Ensure financial controls are in place to match actual spend vs budget.
Quality & EHS • Ensure department comply fully with governance/audit/risk standards. • Maintain Audit certifications. • Ensures that production remain in compliance with all OHSA regulations. • Maintain accurate traceability throughout the production process. • Ensure compliance to all food safety regulations.
Personnel Management • Motivate, develop and coach employees. • General HR function to employees (approval of leave etc.). • Effective handling of discipline/performance of reporting personnel. • Recruitment of staff. • Manage Job Descriptions and KPI’s of reporting staff.
Functional Competence-skills and knowledge required for job: • Knowledge of food safety standards (e.g., FSSC 22000, HACCP). • ERP system experience (Syspro preferred). • Exposure to both production and raw material/inventory control processes. • Has assisted with production planning, shift handovers, and problem resolution.
Behavioral competencies: • Takes full ownership of outcomes—whether it’s production targets, safety, or team performance—and follows through consistently. • Maintains a sharp focus on quality, hygiene, and compliance, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks, especially in high-risk food environments. • Remains calm and solutions-focused during breakdowns, delays, or audit stress, and motivates the team to stay on course. • Builds trust, communicates clearly, delegates effectively, and manages performance with fairness and firmness. • Responds quickly to production issues with a structured, practical approach, always looking for long-term solutions—not just quick fixes. • Adjusts well to shifting production demands, changing priorities, and unexpected disruptions (e.g., stock issues, last-minute orders). • Works cross-functionally with planning, quality, maintenance, and logistics to keep operations running smoothly. • Sound all round knowledge of modern manufacturing principles. • Ability to build high performance teams. • Self-motivated and able to work without supervision. • High levels of personal discipline. • Good attention to detail. • Computer literate.
Education: • Grade 12 • Minimum: NQF Level 4 or National Certificate in Food Productio
Job Location:
Alberton , Gauteng
Employment Type:
Full time
Location Type:
Work from office
Company Overview
About Us:
Cecil Vinegar Works has been manufacturing naturally fermented vinegar since 1936.
Since our vinegars are naturally fermented, they contain natural trace elements and nutrients derived from the raw material’s source. SA’s world-renowned Cape Winelands are where we source grapes for our wine, grape and balsamic vinegars. The finest locally grown apples are sourced from the Western Cape’s Elgin area for our apple cider vinegar.
