General Manager

In brief

**Overview** This General Manager role is for a leading UHT juice and dairy manufacturing company. It is a site-based leadership position located in Roodepoort, South Africa, carrying overall responsibility for the manufacturing site's operations. The company specializes in manufacturing long-life juice, milk, yoghurt, and fresh cream for both its own-label and co-packing customers, with a primary market focus on South Africa and other African regions. The position requires a hands-on leader with a strong presence on the factory floor, tasked with driving operational efficiency, ensuring food safety, enhancing customer service, and contributing to business growth. **What you will do** * Take full accountability for the production and operational performance of the manufacturing site. * Own the full production value chain, including raw material intake, blending and standardisation, UHT processing, aseptic filling, packing, storage and dispatch. * Set and deliver production plans against customer orders and co-packing contracts. * Drive OEE, throughput, yield, changeover times, waste, utilities consumption and overall manufacturing efficiency. * Establish and enforce SOPs, CIP/SIP regimes, start-up and shutdown procedures and shift handover controls. * Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, TPM, 5S, RCA and Kaizen methodologies. * Maintain overall accountability for food safety, quality systems and certification, including FSSC 22000 / ISO 22000 requirements. * Ensure HACCP, allergen management, traceability, mock recall, pest control, hygiene and GMP programmes remain audit-ready. * Ensure compliance with applicable South African food, labour, health and safety and environmental legislation. * Manage customer complaints, non-conformances, product release and hold/withdrawal decisions. * Own the site P&L, annual operating budget and capex plan. * Monitor and improve revenue, gross margin, cost per litre, conversion costs, overheads and cash performance. * Manage co-packing and own-label customer relationships at executive level. * Support new business development through costing, capacity planning, trials and first-production runs. * Oversee procurement, supplier performance, S&OP, demand planning, stock management and finished goods distribution. * Oversee planned and preventative maintenance of production equipment, utilities and related assets. * Lead capex projects relating to capacity, automation, energy and water. * Act as the Section 162 appointee and ensure compliance with the OHS Act and applicable regulations. * Manage environmental obligations relating to effluent, water, waste and energy. * Build, lead and retain a capable management team and disciplined shift-based workforce. * Manage industrial relations, including union engagement, disciplinary and grievance processes and wage negotiations. * Provide regular operating reports to the Managing Director and Board covering safety, quality, delivery, cost, people and risk. * Maintain site risk, business continuity and crisis management plans. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Production/Operations Management or an equivalent qualification. * Minimum 10 years' experience in FMCG food or beverage manufacturing. * At least 5 years' experience in a senior leadership position such as General Manager, Factory Manager, Plant Manager or Operations Manager with full site accountability. * Hands-on experience in UHT or aseptic processing of juice, dairy or similar liquid food products, including aseptic filling and CIP systems. * Proven experience achieving or maintaining FSSC 22000, BRCGS or ISO 22000 certification and successfully managing major retailer and customer audits. * Proven P&L and budget ownership within a manufacturing environment, with demonstrable cost reduction and margin improvement experience. * Experience supplying South African retail customers and/or managing co-packing or private-label contracts. * Working knowledge of South African food, labour and OHS legislation. * Strong ERP/MRP, production reporting and advanced Excel skills. * Experience with Tetra Pak, SIG, Elopak or similar aseptic carton filling platforms. * Experience with Lean, Six Sigma or TPM methodologies. * Experience commissioning new production lines or scaling a plant through a growth phase. * Strong leadership, commercial, operational and problem-solving capabilities. * Experience managing a unionised workforce. * Ability to work hands-on on the factory floor while engaging effectively with customers and senior stakeholders. * Strong understanding of manufacturing costs, including cost per litre, SKU contribution and co-packing contract recovery. * Clear and concise communication skills, with the ability to provide accurate operational and financial reporting. * High integrity and strong governance skills. * **Advantageous:** A postgraduate business qualification such as an MBA or MBL. * **Advantageous:** Experience in export or cross-border supply into African markets. * **Advantageous:** Experience in an owner-managed or mid-sized manufacturing business. * **Advantageous:** Exposure to halaal and kosher certification regimes. **Who should apply** The ideal candidate is an experienced General Manager with a strong background in FMCG food or beverage manufacturing, particularly in UHT or aseptic processing. They should possess comprehensive experience across full factory operations, food safety, commercial performance, and P&L management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role involving full site accountability. This role requires a hands-on leader who maintains a strong factory-floor presence and is capable of driving operational efficiency, food safety, customer service, and business growth. Applicants should demonstrate strong leadership, commercial acumen, operational expertise, and problem-solving capabilities, with proven experience managing a unionised workforce and effectively engaging with both factory teams and senior stakeholders. A commitment to high integrity and strong governance is essential. **Deadline** Not specified **Reference** Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/general-manager-hire-resolve-6 Source: myjobmag

Summary drafted with AI assistance from the original advert. The advert itself is the authority — how we use AI.

At a glance

• At least 5 years of experience.

• Microsoft Excel
• Customer service
• Health and safety (OHS)

Extracted automatically from the advert; confirm requirements on the original listing.

Job description

Before you apply

• Confirm the requirements and closing date on the original listing (myjobmag). SPANi lists vacancies from other sites and may not reflect last-minute changes.
• Legitimate employers do not charge application, registration or training fees.
• Don't send your ID or bank details before you have confirmed the employer is real.

How to spot a job scam

Before you apply

• Read the full advert and confirm you meet the minimum requirements before applying.
• Tailor your CV headline and most recent experience to the job title and key skills.
• Note the closing date and reference number, and keep a copy of what you submit.
• Apply only through the employer or job board link — never pay to apply.