Reporting to: Operations Site Manager

Location: Johannesburg

About the Libstar Wet Condiments Category:

The Wet Condiments Category is part of the Libstar Ambient Products Category, with business sites located
in Montagu, Cape Town, and Johannesburg. We operate within a dynamic, forward-thinking organization
dedicated to driving innovation, fostering growth, and creating a supportive, inclusive work environment. As
part of the broader Libstar team, our goal is to grow our food brands and category solutions in a sustainable
and profitable manner. We prioritize building strong relationships with our customers and aim to be South
Africa’s leading producer and distributor of high-quality products and brands. To achieve this, we believe that
our people are our greatest asset, and we are committed to investing in their development and well-being.

Purpose of the Role:

Retailer Brands is a leading FMCG manufacturer of high-quality dry goods and baking aids, dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in the food industry. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, we pride
ourselves on delivering premium products that meet the evolving needs of our clients while upholding the
highest standards of safety and efficiency. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Factory Manager drive
manufacturing and continuous improvement across our production facility.

As Factory Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the factory operations, including production,
maintenance, and health and safety functions. Reporting directly to the Site Operations Manager, you will
lead a team comprising Production, Maintenance, and Safety, Health & Environmental. Your primary focus
will be on implementing robust systems from the top down to the factory floor, with an emphasis on
enhancing health and safety protocols, optimizing waste management, determining manning requirements,
and cultivating a culture of development and growth for all employees. This is a hands-on leadership role that requires strategic thinking, operational expertise, and a passion for fostering a positive, high-performance work environment in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Operations

• Execute operational strategies to achieve production targets, optimise resources, and align performance
  with business objectives.
• Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams to deliver consistent, high-quality output.

Production & Maintenance

• Oversee the execution of production plans to ensure customer satisfaction, quality, and delivery.
• Implement and manage a preventive maintenance programme to maximise uptime and drive Capex projects from concept to completion.

Health, Safety & Environmental Excellence

• Champion SHE policies in line with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and environmental regulations.
• Conduct regular risk assessments, audits, and training to embed a zero-incident safety culture.

Systems & Process Optimisation

• Drive the implementation of standard operating procedures, lean manufacturing principles, and system tools (e.g. Pragma) to improve efficiency and knowledge transfer.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Establish and monitor KPIs across OEE, safety, waste, and output.
• Develop analytical and reporting frameworks to track asset health, manpower, and operational efficiency.

Waste & Workforce Optimisation

• Design and implement waste-reduction and sustainability initiatives.
• Implement and oversee systems for tracking and analysing time and attendance data to strengthen consistency, improve workforce planning, and support initiatives that enhance punctuality and reduce absenteeism.

People & Culture

• Promote a growth-oriented culture through coaching, mentoring, and training.
• Lead by example with visible, hands-on leadership on the factory floor, building trust and engagement through consistent communication and presence.
• Inspire and motivate teams to achieve excellence, providing coaching and feedback that builds both technical capability and confidence.
• Foster team morale, ownership, and engagement at all factory levels.

Collaboration & Compliance

• Partner with Quality, Logistics, Procurement, and NPD teams to ensure seamless factory integration.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety standards, certifications, and legal regulations.

Financial & Continuous Improvement

• Manage budgets across Production, Maintenance, and SHE.
• Lead Six Sigma or other improvement initiatives to drive innovation and operational excellence.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Relevant Degree in Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 8–10 years’ experience in FMCG manufacturing, with at least 5 years in Factory or Operations Management.
• Advanced knowledge of food manufacturing processes, OEE, waste reduction, and process control.
• Proven leadership experience managing Production, Maintenance, and SHE teams.
• Strong understanding of health, safety, environmental, and food safety standards.
• Experience in system implementation, process optimisation, and workforce development.
• Analytical and data-driven mindset with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; Syspro experience advantageous.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of independent decision-making.

Personal Attributes & Competencies:

• Results-driven with a focus on excellence and accountability.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to lead and influence.
• Natural people leader with the ability to energize, coach, and empower teams in a demanding operational environment.
• Hands-on and approachable, with a practical leadership style that balances accountability and support.
• Resilient under pressure and adaptable to change.
• Innovative thinker with problem-solving acumen and a drive for improvement.
• Organised, systematic, and able to prioritise in a fast-moving environment.

Additional Information:

You may occasionally be required to perform duties outside of your normal scope to meet operational needs.

Application:

Please email your CV, outlining qualifications and experience, along with a motivation highlighting why you should be considered, to vacancies@dhfoods.co.za. Application deadline: 12 December 2025

If you have not received a response within two weeks of the closing date for applications, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.

POPIA Compliance:

In accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA), Retailer Brands processes personal information lawfully and transparently. Please review our HR Processing Notice on www.libstar.co.za/legal or request a printed copy from the HR Department before submitting your application.

NOTE: To consider any application for employment, we will have to process your personal information. The Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA), provides that when one processes another’s personal information, such collection, retention, dissemination and use of that person’s personal information must be done in a lawful and transparent manner.

To give effect to the above, we are required to provide you with information regarding the processing of your personal information. This information is recorded under the HR Processing Notice, which can be accessed and viewed on the Company website at https://www.libstar.co.za/legal/.