PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
To effectively lead and manage pasta production operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable functioning of the plant. The role is responsible for delivering consistent product quality, meeting production targets, and ensuring full compliance with food safety and regulatory standards.
In addition, the incumbent will drive continuous improvement by optimising production processes, enhancing equipment reliability, reducing operational losses, and supporting teams to achieve key performance objectives related to safety, quality, cost, delivery, and efficiency.
KEY FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Production Management
- Ensure production targets are achieved safely, on time, and according to quality standards.
- Monitor and improve production efficiencies, throughput, and plant utilisation.
- Coordinate production activities to minimise downtime and maximise output.
- Ensure efficient waste control and reduction initiatives.
- Stand in for operational personnel when required.
- Conduct plant tours for visitors when necessary.
- Support new product development trials and implementation of new production parameters.
- Monitor and analyse production performance indicators (OEE, throughput, waste, downtime).
- Maintenance & Operations
- Coordinate maintenance interventions with production requirements in collaboration with the Workshop Foreman.
- Ensure breakdowns and equipment malfunctions are addressed promptly.
- Assist with troubleshooting and root cause analysis of equipment failures.
- Monitor equipment performance and identify reliability improvement opportunities.
- Participate in maintenance planning, shutdowns, and preventative maintenance activities.
- Support implementation of reliability and asset improvement initiatives.
- Ensure general maintenance of plant buildings and equipment is conducted effectively.
- People Management
- Ensure new employees receive proper training on equipment, procedures, and work instructions.
- Identify training needs and ensure training requirements are met.
- Continuously train, mentor, and coach employees to improve competence and performance.
- Develop existing and future supervisory staff.
- Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Apply the company's disciplinary code where appropriate.
- Promote teamwork, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Support employee development and succession planning initiatives.
- Inventory & Planning
- Oversee stock control, material usage, and monthly stock takes.
- Coordinate production and maintenance schedules to ensure optimal resource utilisation.
- Ensure accurate receipt and dispatch of raw materials.
- Ensure the receipt of stock and required documentation is done in accordance with correct procedures.
- Quality & Compliance
- Ensure products comply with all specifications, customer requirements, and quality standards.
- Assist the Controller: Quality Assurance Pasta with the maintenance of the Quality Management System and Food Safety Management System.
- Handle customer complaints and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Participate in internal and external audits.
- Ensure compliance with ISO, HACCP, FSSC 22000, Health & Safety, and company requirements.
- Drive corrective actions resulting from audits, inspections, customer complaints, and non-conformances.
- Ensure departmental compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Ad Hoc Responsibilities
Adhere to ad hoc tasks as instructed by the Production Manager: Pasta or Senior Management.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Engineering Degree (Mechanical / Industrial / Electrical) (NQF 7) or
- Engineering Diploma (NQF 6) or
- Millwright, Electrician N6(NQF6)
- 5–8 years’ experience in pasta manufacturing.
- Minimum 3 years in a leadership role within the pasta manufacturing environment.
- Proficiency in English, being bilingual will be highly advantageous.
- Must be able to work shifts, weekends, call outs, overtime and public holidays.
- Valid Code driver’s licence
- Computer literate (Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Knowledge of ISO, HACCP, FSSC 22000 and Health and Safety Standards.
- Eligibility to work in Namibia
