Deputy Meat Processing Plant Manager

Full description

About the role Join Shoprite as a Deputy Meat Processing Plant Support, a pivotal role designed to advance your career towards Meat Processing Plant Manager. This senior operational position demands expertise in production management, regulatory compliance, food safety protocols, and resource allocation across departments. You will drive productivity enhancements, uphold strict quality controls, and champion workplace safety and environmental sustainability within a dynamic meat processing environment. Ideal candidates possess strong leadership skills, knowledge of meat processing technologies, and the ability to foster teamwork and continuous improvement. Benefit from Shoprite's commitment to employee development, cutting-edge facilities, and a culture focused on innovation and operational excellence in the food production industry. What you'll do - Ensure the Meat Plant operates efficiently by providing necessary resources and expert guidance to optimise production processes. - Promote a strong culture of safety and environmental responsibility by delivering comprehensive training and support materials. - Maintain compliance with company policies and all relevant local, provincial, and governmental regulations, including Good Management Practices and HACCP standards. - Collaborate closely with maintenance teams to promptly address equipment issues and implement robust preventive maintenance programmes. - Support cross-departmental coordination, assisting areas such as receiving, dispatch, quality control, finance, health and safety, human resources, and logistics to ensure seamless operations. - Analyse operational, sales, and inventory data daily to identify opportunities for enhancing productivity, quality, and stock management in line with FIFO principles and sales forecasts. - Manage supplier relationships to secure high-quality raw materials and facilitate product testing initiatives that drive continuous quality improvement. - Monitor adherence to cutting and packaging standards and provide data-driven input to support budget management and staffing alignment. - Lead efforts in safety training development, staff coaching, and mentoring to cultivate a positive, productive team environment and effectively manage workplace conflicts. - Contribute to strategic operational planning by assisting in setting short- and medium-term goals, and support financial oversight including operational expenses and bulk purchasing in accordance with approved procedures. What you bring - Matric certificate or equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification (essential) - Diploma in Business Management, Financial Management, or a relevant field (essential) - Minimum of 4 years' experience within a Meat Plant or comparable meat processing environment (essential) - Thorough knowledge of regulatory requirements for Meat Processing Facilities, including HACCP, FSSC 22000, and Health and Safety Standards (essential) - Demonstrated understanding of various meat cuts and products, including polonies and processed meat (essential) - Familiarity with retail-oriented environments is desirable - Strong attention to detail and commitment to compliance with food safety standards - Proven ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams in a manufacturing setting - Excellent communication and organisational skills