Production Manager

JobTitle: Production Manager (Operations/Factory)

Location: Thika

Role Type: Full-Time,Onsite

Reports to: CEO or Director

The role fosters a lean, hands-on, entrepreneurial mindset driven by ownership, data-backed execution, transparency, and high performance. The Production Manager will take full operational ownership of factory floor production during facility commissioning and full-scale commercial operations. This role ensures maximum yield, cost efficiency, daily output, and continuous adherence to international food safety and quality standards.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

1. Production Planning & Execution

• Lead daily factory operations, shift scheduling, machine utilization, and frontline workforce deployment to meet daily production targets.

• Monitor and optimize key performance indicators (KPIs), including yield or recovery rates, WIP tracking, downtime reduction, waste minimization, and production cost per kilogram.

• Establish structured daily shift handovers and submit disciplined operational reports to executive leadership.

2. Quality, Food Safety & Compliance

• Enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP standards, sanitation, traceability, and foreign-matter or segregation controls across all processing lines.

• Collaborate closely with Quality Assurance to prepare the plant for upcoming BRCGS certification within three months of operational launch.

3. Team Leadership & Operational Management

• Directly manage the Assistant Production Manager, Production Supervisors, Line Leaders, Machine or Dryer Operators, Maintenance team, Packing Teams, and seasonal casual labor.

• Foster a culture of discipline, accountability, safe work practices, and high productivity on the factory floor.

• Coordinate cross-functionally with Sourcing, Warehouse or Stores, Maintenance, HR, and Finance teams to ensure seamless factory operations.

Key Requirements & Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Food Science or Technology, Production Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum 5 years of progressive production experience within food or agro-processing manufacturing, including at least 3 years directly managing shifts and frontline teams.

• Hands-on experience in dried fruit, fresh-produce packhouses, juice or pulp, canning, dairy, beverages, or snacks is required.

• Strong practical knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and foreign-matter controls within BRCGS, FSSC 22000, or ISO 22000 operating environments.

• Demonstrable track record of managing yield, waste, equipment utilization, and labor productivity using structured daily KPI data.

• Business fluency in spoken and written English and Kiswahili.

• Must reside within or be willing to relocate to Thika, with full availability for shift-based schedules, weekend coverage, and extended hours during peak mango season and plant commissioning.