Production Manager – Beverage and Plastics/Packaging Plant

About the role

Career Directions Limited is recruiting a full-time Production Manager for a high-volume beverage and plastics manufacturing plant in Kiambu County. The role provides strategic and hands-on leadership across production, maintenance, engineering, utilities and technical operations, reporting to the Senior Operations Management. It is a senior, floor-present position requiring deep technical mastery of automated Krones filling lines, PET preform and cap moulding operations, and mechanical, electrical, automation and quality systems.

Key responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end production operations, including planning, scheduling, line performance, material availability and production targets.
• Drive efficiency, equipment availability and waste reduction while keeping unplanned downtime to a minimum.
• Oversee PET beverage production and plastics manufacturing, including preform and closure production.
• Lead maintenance and engineering, ensuring preventive and predictive maintenance programs are effective.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, automation, pneumatic and production equipment issues.
• Monitor KPIs such as efficiency, downtime, yield, wastage, quality and plan adherence.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, occupational health and safety standards and regulations.
• Manage materials and inventory to avoid stock-outs, wastage and excess stock.
• Drive cost reduction, continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary production and technical team, and support new product development, commissioning, expansion and process improvement projects.
• Prepare and review production, maintenance and operational reports for senior management.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Industrial Engineering (or closely related field); an MBA or supply chain / operations management specialisation is a significant advantage.
• 12-15+ years of total manufacturing experience, with at least 5 years in a senior production leadership role in a beverage and plastics/packaging plant.
• Open to all nationalities; work permit provided.

Required skills

• Hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting Krones filling and packaging lines (Contiform, Modulfill, Checkmat, Linajet or equivalent).
• Direct experience on KraussMaffei and/or Netstal injection moulding machines for PET preforms and closures.
• Working knowledge of nitrogen-based hot fill PET juice processing, including dissolved oxygen control, fill temperature, nitrogen dosing and vacuum integrity.
• Advanced SAP proficiency (PP, MM, PM modules) and production data analytics in an ERP/MES environment.

What we offer

• Accommodation, transport, medical and telecom allowances, and a work permit.
• 28 days leave with airfare once every two years.
• Family accommodation after one year, subject to satisfactory performance.