Location: Harrismith  

Qualification: Qualification in Engineering, Food Sciences, Production Management and related qualifications

Experience: 8-10 years production experience within diary, with 5 solid years in a leadership role

Closing Date: 24 April 2026

Position Summary

With a history spanning over 150 years, Nestlé didn’t become the world’s leading food and beverages brand by chance. Perfection is at the heart of what we do, and our people are always looking for the next big idea to cement our status.

We’re now looking for an Infant Formula Factory & Production Manager within our Harrismith team. The role will ensure production plan is full achieved on time and in compliance with legal requirements meeting safety, quality, hygiene, cost and environment need. Drive continuous improvement through Total Productive Maintenance. Empower people to motivate and develop their capability. Align and involved all the relevant functions.

A day in the life of the Infant Formula Factory & Production Manager :

• Ensure that finished products are consistently manufactured meeting prescribed standards (compliant), on time and meeting consumer expectations
• Effectively manage the DOR, ensure exchange of information (cascade Target/escalate issues) for alignment with the objectives in the short term and WOR, MOR for medium and long term to achieve production plan and to identify and achieve performance improvements.
• Motivate, guide, support and coach the resources to achieve objectives and to act in accordance with NCE guidelines.
• Maintain a safe working environment in compliance with the local laws striving for Zero accidents through continuous coaching on safety behaviours.
• Elaborate and execute workforce development program that will provide appropriate flexibility of workforce and assets. Focus on material availability, finished goods quality, and on time delivery through optimal resource allocation
• Lead a continuous improvement/employee involvement culture through NCE approach. Drive for excellence and support operators and staff in their tasks.
• Provide timely feedback and coaching to individuals and team in order to develop them to their full potential and to achieve objectives in accordance with NCE guidelines. Ensure succession plans and development - coaching of direct reports (where applicable) including development of specific training.
• Ensure ongoing smooth operation of factory through employee and industrial relations
• Ensure the timely launch of new products to the Market as per agreement with the business unit
• Responsible for developing plant budgets and cost performance metrics taking internal and external benchmarking into the equation and meeting the budget and cost goals.  Lay out the production schedule so that production quotas are met and financial and time constraints are respected

What will make you successful:

• Qualification in Engineering, Food Sciences, Production Management and related qualifications
• Minimum 8-10 years production experience within diary, with 5 solid years in a leadership role (Dairy experience non-negotiable)
• Knowledge on filling and packing machines/equipment (must have)
• Understanding of production planning process
• Knowledge of NCE - TPM methodology, Lean thinking, etc…
• Advanced understanding of AM Pillar Methodology
• Basic understanding of PM Pillar Methodology
• Product and process mastership
• Advance knowledge of manufacturing instructions and quality standards
• Advanced understanding of how to effectively lead and control meeting (ability to handle meeting and conflict)
• Advanced understanding of the related departments and their role (Quality, Engineering, Warehouse, etc…)
• Business knowledge. Competence base of H&S, Engineering, Quality, Costing, Supply Chain.
• Knowledge of HR policies, industrial relation and legislation
• Knowledge of " Management and Leadership principles", local community and shared value
• Advance knowledge of GLOBE processes and transactions
• Advance knowledge of G.I. 23.010 + Standards Management