Team Leader; Cheese Production

Our client, a leading player in the FMCG sector is seeking a strategic leader to oversee cheese production operations in the Eastern Cape. This role offers an exceptional opportunity for a driven professional to influence production standards, uphold food safety regulations, and drive operational excellence in a facility committed to quality and safety.

• Lead, supervise, and coordinate a team of up to 24 employees, ensuring adherence to company policies, productivity targets, and workplace discipline.

• Oversee the operation of draining vats, cheese towers, and associated equipment, guaranteeing efficient and uninterrupted cheese manufacturing.

• Monitor critical production parameters including pH, salt addition, vacuum pressure, weight, and recipe compliance to meet product specifications.

• Ensure all cheese products are produced, handled, packed, and transferred in accordance with quality, weight, traceability, and food safety standards.

• Maintain compliance with HACCP, ISO, GMP, hygiene, sanitation, and quality standards throughout the production process.

• Drive production efficiency by monitoring yields, controlling waste, reducing losses, and achieving set targets.

• Promote a safe working environment through the enforcement of safety procedures, PPE compliance, incident reporting, and safety awareness initiatives.

• Manage raw materials, packaging supplies, and resources to ensure continuous product availability and minimal waste.

• Complete and sign off on production, quality, hygiene, traceability, and ISO documentation accurately and punctually.

• Conduct equipment inspections and sanitation checks to ensure operational readiness.

• Collaborate with departments such as Cheese making, Laboratory, Warehouse, Planning, and Cold Storage to maintain high product quality and seamless production flow.

• Train, coach, and develop employees to ensure compliance with SOPs and foster continuous skills growth.

• Proven leadership skills with the ability to supervise and develop a team.

• Strong understanding of cheese production processes and equipment.

• Knowledge of food safety management systems, including HACCP, GMP, ISO standards.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to monitor and control production metrics and ensure quality standards.

• Relevant experience in FMCG food production, preferably dairy.

• Prior experience in a similar leadership role within the dairy or cheese manufacturing industry.