Reporting to: Cluster Head of Technical

Location: Montague Gardens, Cape Town

As Technical Manager you will lead and manage technical teams, overseeing and coordinating projects, and ensuring successful delivery of technical solutions and projects aligning it to business goals. You are responsible for giving input and leading the successful interpretation and delivery of your areas’ technical strategy, resource allocation, and maintaining adherence to standards and policies. This includes aspects like problem-solving, risk mitigation, and communication with stakeholders both inside and outside the organization.

Key Job Functions

Leadership and Team Management:

• Leading and motivating technical teams, fostering a positive work environment, and mentoring team members.

Project Management:

• Managing technical projects, including planning, execution, monitoring, and control, ensuring they are completed within scope, budget, and timelines. Alignment of projects with.

Technical Strategy:

• Developing and implementing a company’s technical strategy, ensuring it aligns with business goals and category/commercial plans.

Resource Allocation:

• Allocating resources effectively, including personnel, budget, and technology, to support project needs.

Risk Management:

• Identifying and managing technical risks, developing mitigation strategies, and ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations. Audits, Quality, Food safety.

Stakeholder Communication:

• Communicating technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, customers and suppliers.

Problem Solving:

• Identifying and solving complex technical problems, often under pressure and with limited resources.

Process Improvement:

• Identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and customer satisfaction.

Knowledge and Experience Required

Education:

• Min BTech degree Food Technology/BSc degree in Food Science/Biotechnology/Microbiology/Chemical engineering/Process Investigation or any related Science degree.

Experience:

• 10-12 years experience in technical roles, including leadership and project management.
• The role requires a high level of on-site operational leadership of all quality and food safety aspects in Dairy/Deli Meats/Frozen/Chilled Desserts and Meals ensuring compliance to legal standards and regulations. Operational leadership of a team of on site technologists is a critical success factor.
• Advantageous would-be previous experience in Meat and Cold meat Processing plants, Abattoirs and a thorough understanding of what makes product safe and the specific hurdles to control.
• Proven experience in a technical management role within the food manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of food safety management systems (e.g., HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000).
• Experience in product development, quality assurance, and process improvement.
• Experience in auditing of processes and systems.
• Experience in implementing and maintaining Quality and Food Safety Management Systems.
• Strong track record in delivering audit excellence, strengthening food safety culture and driving continuous improvement across a high risk chilled and frozen processing environment.
• Highly experienced in managing 3rd party and customer audits, supplier performance, managing rejections, hygiene improvement programmes and corrective action plans
• Manage technical services across suppliers and retailers, leading new product launches, raw material and finished product specifications, allergen compliance, labelling, artwork approval and process validation
• Strong systems mindset, with hands on experience in iCOMPLY, SYSPRO advantageous and master data management
• Driving measurable improvements in production efficiencies, process improvements and translating technical data into commercially viable solutions.
• Developing high performing teams through training and coaching
• A proven track record in delating with industry bodies and regulators; NRCS/DAFF/DAILLAIRD
• Working experience within FMCG retail environment and dealing with retailer own label technical and product development teams.

Technical Skills:

• Understanding the NPD Gatekeeping process and key milestones for successful delivery.
• Working with an international manufacturing supplier base ensuring products comply to SA standards.
• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of relevant technologies, industry trends, and best practices.

Person Profile, Skills and Attitude

Technical & Regulatory Knowledge

• In-depth understanding of food safety, quality assurance, and industry regulations for Dairy/Deli meats/Frozen/Chilled Desserts product categories.
• Knowledge of global regulatory frameworks, ethical sourcing, and environmental requirements.

Leadership & Project Management

• Ability to lead compliance teams across the chilled manufacturing site.
• Strong project management skills with attention to detail

Analytical & Communication Skills

• Analytical mindset with capability to assess data, trends, and risk.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to present complex information to senior stakeholders clearly.

Behavioural Attributes

• High personal integrity and ethical standards.
• Strong time management and multitasking capability.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.

Key Competencies

• Quality Delivery
• Applying Knowledge & Expertise
• Managing Others/Leadership Ability
• Adapting to Change
• Interpersonal Relations
• Taking Initiative

Application

Please e-mail Recruitment@rialtofoods.co.za your CV summarizing your qualifications and past experience; with a motivation highlighting why you should be considered for the position.
Submission Deadline: Close of Business on 18 August 2026.

Please note that you may on occasion be required to perform tasks that are not part of your normal daily duties but may be necessary due to the operational requirements of the Company.

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 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.