Production Manager

About the role

The Production Manager will lead daily factory operations for a food processing plant, ensuring production targets of approximately 2 tonnes per day are met while maintaining high quality and safety standards.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and execute production schedules, shift rotations, machine utilization and workforce deployment.
• Monitor KPIs such as yield, recovery rates, WIP, downtime, waste and cost per kilogram.
• Enforce GMP, HACCP, sanitation, traceability and foreign‑matter controls; prepare for BRCGS certification.
• Manage Assistant Production Manager, supervisors, line leaders, operators, maintenance and packing teams.
• Coordinate with sourcing, warehouse, maintenance, HR and finance to ensure seamless operations.

Required profile

• Degree or Diploma in Food Science/Technology, Production Engineering, Industrial or Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years progressive production experience in food or agro‑processing, with at least 3 years managing shifts and frontline teams.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Kiswahili.
• Residence in or willingness to relocate to Thika and availability for shift‑based schedules, weekends and peak season overtime.

Required skills

• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)
• BRCGS, FSSC 22000 or ISO 22000 certification knowledge
• KPI analysis and reporting
• Yield management and waste minimisation
• Equipment utilisation and shift scheduling