Join Tiger Brands and lead the heart of our food manufacturing operations in Bellville. As Africa’s largest listed FMCG manufacturer, we create iconic products that touch millions of lives every day. We’re looking for a pragmatic, safety-first Plant Manager to drive operational excellence, coach high-performing teams, and deliver consistently reliable, high-quality output across our production lines.
What you’ll do
Lead daily plant operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and continuous production that meets volume, quality, and cost targets.
Own health, safety, environmental, and food safety (HACCP/GMP) compliance; champion a zero-harm culture and maintain rigorous standards across the site.
Manage production planning and scheduling in partnership with Supply Chain and Planning teams to guarantee on-time delivery to customers and reduce stock variance.
Drive continuous improvement programs (Lean, Six Sigma, or similar) to increase throughput, reduce waste, and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
Control operational budgets, manage cost-to-serve, and identify opportunities to improve productivity and reduce operating expenses.
Lead, develop, and coach supervisors and frontline teams; create a performance-driven culture focused on accountability, development, and employee engagement.
Coordinate with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Procurement, and HR to resolve operational challenges and implement permanent corrective actions.
Oversee capital projects and process improvements from concept through handover, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with minimal disruption to operations.
Produce timely management reports and performance metrics for senior leadership, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people KPIs.
Who you are
Experienced operations leader with 5+ years in manufacturing management within the food, beverage, or FMCG sectors.
Strong understanding of food safety systems (HACCP, ISO 22000) and regulatory compliance.
Demonstrated track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives and delivering measurable operational gains.
Financially literate with hands-on experience managing operational budgets and interpreting production KPIs.
Excellent people leader who develops talent, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters a collaborative site culture.
Results-oriented, decisive, and able to perform under pressure while managing competing priorities.
Relevant diploma or degree in Engineering, Food Science, Operations Management, or a related field; additional qualifications in Lean, Six Sigma, or project management preferred.
Willingness to be based in Bellville with flexibility for shift work and occasional travel across regional sites.
What we offer
Competitive market-related remuneration and benefits package.
Opportunity to lead at a high-profile site within Africa’s leading FMCG business.
Continuous learning and development, including technical, leadership, and safety training.
Strong career progression opportunities across our manufacturing network.
An inclusive, purpose-driven culture where your work makes a tangible difference to households across the continent.
How to apply
If you’re excited to take ownership of a busy manufacturing plant and make a direct impact on product quality and customer delivery, apply via our careers portal. Please include your CV and a short cover letter highlighting a recent operational improvement you led and the results achieved.
Tiger Brands is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Would you like this adapted for a senior director role, a graduate programme posting, or a different location?