Production Lead

Role Overview

• The Production Leader is responsible for leading the overall production function at the Rosslyn site, ensuring delivery of safety, quality, service, and cost targets. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across all production lines and shifts, building capability within Production Line Shift Supervisors and driving a high-performance culture. The Production Leader partners closely with Maintenance, SHE, Quality, and Supply Chain to deliver site objectives and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Production Strategy & Performance

• Lead execution of the site production strategy, aligned with business goals and customer demand
• Own and deliver Safety, Quality, Service, Cost, and OEE targets across all production areas
• Establish and drive daily, weekly, and monthly performance management systems
• Analyze performance data to identify losses and implement sustainable improvements

Leadership & People Development

• Lead, coach, and develop Production Line Shift Supervisors to build a strong leadership pipeline
• Foster an engaged, accountable, and high-performing culture across production teams
• Lead Production People Capability Development Strategy in collaboration with HR Department
• Drive clear expectations, performance management, and succession planning
• Promote a culture aligned to SCJ values and behaviors

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Drive Lean, TPM, and continuous improvement initiatives across the production function
• Partner with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime
• Lead loss elimination efforts and root cause problem solving
• Standardize best practices across shifts and lines

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure strict adherence to SHE and Quality standards across all production activities
• Lead incident investigations and ensure robust corrective actions
• Drive a zero-harm culture and proactive risk management
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and company policies

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering to optimize plant performance
• Align production plans with supply and demand requirements
• Support new product introductions and process changes

Resource & Budget Management

• Manage labor planning, productivity, and cost control within production
• Optimize resource utilization people, materials, equipment
• Support capital projects and operational investments

Communication & Governance

• Lead effective communication forums tier meetings, reviews, escalation processes
• Provide clear reporting on production performance to site leadership
• Drive accountability through structured governance routines

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Production, Operations, or related field
• Minimum 7–10 years manufacturing experience, with at least 3–5 years in leadership roles
• Proven experience leading multiple teams or shifts in a production environment
• Demonstrated ability to deliver on performance metrics Safety, Quality, OEE, Cost
• Legally authorized to work in South Africa
• GCC Qualification advantageous

Preferred Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing / TPM principles
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and team development skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Effective communicator with strong stakeholder management skills
• Experience in FMCG / CPG manufacturing environment
• Ability to translate strategy into clear execution plans
• Collaborative and results-driven mindset

Skills & Behaviours you'll need

• Leadership skills
• High level of integrity
• Problem solving attitude
• High degree of initiative
• Easy relationship approach
• Excellent communication skills via different media