Reporting to: Senior Operations Manager

Location: Montague Gardens, Cape Town

Purpose of the role:

The Junior Operations Manager will play a key supporting role within the production department, with a strong focus on production scheduling, planning, and coordination. The role will ensure daily operations run smoothly and efficiently by aligning resources, managing production plans, and facilitating cross-departmental communication. The Junior Operations Manager will ensure effective execution of production strategies, monitor performance against key operational KPIs, and help drive continuous improvement. The role is critical in supporting operational efficiency, maintaining quality standards, and ensuring delivery deadlines are met.

Key performance areas include (including but not limited to):

• Create and update daily / weekly / monthly production schedules
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting on production progress and delays
• Ensure that production staff are aligned with scheduling priorities
• Monitor adherence to safety, quality, and productivity standards
• Coordinate with procurement to ensure material readiness aligns with schedule demands
• Liaise with production and maintenance departments to ensure optimal performance of the production function
• Participate in daily / weekly operations meetings and provide input on scheduling and production planning
• Train and guide team leaders and supervisors on scheduling priorities and systems
• Monitor and escalate potential risks to production timelines or inventory levels
• Develop, monitor, and adjust production schedules to meet demand forecasts and delivery timelines
• Coordinate daily operational activities and ensure alignment with company policies and targets
• Analyse operational data to identify trends, optimize resource utilization, and propose efficiency improvements
• Assist the Senior Operations Manager in executing performance improvement initiatives
• Monitor departmental KPIs and ensure corrective actions are implemented where necessary
• Facilitate communication between departments to ensure seamless operations
• Assist in preparing operational budgets and monitor prime costs
• General and other duties may be assigned by senior management

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Matric
• A National Diploma in Production Management, Supply Chain, or Food Technology (or similar) (preferred but not essential)
• 5+ years’ experience in a manufacturing or production environment, preferably in food production
• Experience in production scheduling / planning or operations coordination

Personal Profile, Skills and Attitude:

• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Analytical and problem-solving ability
• Leadership and team coordination
• Computer skills (Excel, ERP / MRP systems, MS Office)
• Communication skills – clear and effective (written and verbal)
• Ability to prioritize under pressure and make real-time decisions
• Integrity, reliability, and accountability
• Strong sense of urgency and attention to detail
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transport

Application:

Qualifying interested applicants are requested to submit their applications to sabine@capefoods.co.za.
Application Deadline: 28 November 2025
If you have not received a response within two weeks of the closing date for applications, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.

In order 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 as your employer, 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/ . Printed copies of this Processing Notice can also be accessed from the HR department. We kindly request that you read the HR Processing Notice to ensure that you understand how Libstar uses and processes your personal information.