Head of Manufacturing

Overview

Protea Recruitment has been tasked in the search for a Head of Manufacturing who knows how to lead from the front, elevate standards, and build teams that deliver exceptional results every single day. If you thrive in fast‑paced environments, love solving operational challenges, and get energy from developing people, this could be your next move.

Responsibilities

• Full ownership of manufacturing operations, from planning to execution
• Turning demand into clear, accurate production plans using digital systems
• Hands‑on support on the floor and acting as the escalation point for operational issues
• Courier and dispatch coordination, including peak‑period planning
• Preventative maintenance and machinery uptime
• Stock accuracy, inventory control, and cross‑team collaboration
• Workflow improvements, system optimisation, and data visibility
• Team leadership, coaching, and performance development
• Food safety, hygiene, HACCP, and compliance standards
• KPI tracking, waste reduction, and continuous improvement projects

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in food manufacturing or a similar fast‑moving environment
• Strong HACCP and food safety knowledge
• Confidence with digital production systems
• A collaborative, commercially aware mindset
• Hands‑on leadership suited to a small, agile team
• Bonus: experience with scaling, lean, or short‑shelf‑life categories

Benefits

A competitive salary, strong benefits, professional development opportunities, and a genuinely supportive culture built on teamwork, curiosity, and continuous improvement.

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