Permanent
General Manager
Unknown, Gauteng
unknown
About this role
Employer: Sentinel Staffing Services
OverviewAn entrepreneurial manufacturing business in the food and beverage sector is seeking a hands-on General Manager to support the founder in overseeing day-to-day operations. This is a highly operational role suited to a practical, solutions-driven individual who thrives in a fast-paced, non-corporate environment.
Key Responsibilities
+ Oversee and manage the full production operation within a food manufacturing facility
+ Ensure compliance with FSSC (Food Safety System Certification) standards and food safety regulations
+ Supervise and lead a production team of 10–15 staff, driving productivity and accountability
+ Manage production planning, workflow, and output optimisation
+ Oversee bottling and syrup manufacturing processes, ensuring quality and efficiency
+ Monitor and manage production machinery and equipment performance
+ Support basic financial oversight, including cost control, efficiencies, and operational spend
+ Work closely with the founder to implement improvements and scale operations
Minimum Requirements
+ Proven experience managing a production or manufacturing site, ideally within the food & beverage industry
+ Exposure to FSSC-certified environments or similar food safety standards
+ Strong understanding of production machinery and processes
+ Experience in bottling, liquids, or syrup manufacturing highly advantageous
+ Demonstrated ability to manage and lead small to mid-sized production teams
Preferred Background
+ Technical background such as Industrial Engineering or Chemical/Process Engineering (formal qualification not essential)
+ Strong operational and financial acumen
+ Hands-on, practical mindset with the ability to solve problems on the ground
Candidate Profile
+ Entrepreneurial, adaptable, and comfortable in a non-corporate environment
+ Not suited to individuals from highly structured, corporate FMCG environments (e.g. large multinationals)
+ Self-starter who can take ownership and operate with minimal supervision
+ Strong leadership presence with a focus on execution and results