Bakery Production Leadership and Shift Management Role

Premier FMCG is offering an opportunity for a Production Shift Manager – Bakery within its production operations. This role is responsible for managing a production shift to manufacture bread according to quality specifications, within required timelines, and at optimal cost levels while promoting a high-performance culture aligned with the Premier way.

The Production Shift Manager plays a key leadership role in ensuring efficient production processes, maintaining food safety standards, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives. This position is suited to experienced bakery professionals with strong production management skills and a passion for operational excellence in the FMCG environment.

About the Role

The Production Shift Manager oversees the bakery production team and processes to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality bread products. The role focuses on meeting production targets, maintaining process compliance, and supporting cost-effective manufacturing while fostering teamwork and accountability.

This leadership position requires collaboration with maintenance, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure optimal equipment performance, effective raw material management, and adherence to food safety and health regulations. The role also involves coaching team members, managing performance, and ensuring a safe and productive work environment.

The position operates in a pressurised production environment and requires flexibility to work shifts, weekends, and public holidays when required.

Production and Process Management

The Production Shift Manager must ensure optimal production efficiencies by overseeing the production team and processes in line with Premier standard operating procedures.

Food safety, health and safety, cost, and quality requirements must be maintained throughout the production process.

The baking process must consistently deliver high-quality products within specification through strict adherence to process parameters.

Process exceptions and variations must be identified and corrected promptly to maintain product consistency.

Equipment-related deviations must be identified and reported to the maintenance manager to ensure timely corrective action.

Continuous improvement initiatives must be driven based on feedback from quality and production teams, supported by benchmarking activities.

Raw Material and Cost Management

The Production Shift Manager must ensure cost-effective raw material management aligned with production requirements.

Procurement of raw materials must be correct and timely, ensuring materials meet specifications and are sourced from approved suppliers.

Non-conforming products must be reported to the Quality Control department for resolution.

Deliveries must be checked against orders and raw material specifications to maintain quality standards.

Stock levels must be monitored and managed in line with baking plans and demand forecasts to prevent shortages or excess.

People Leadership and Team Development

Building and motivating a high-performance production team is a core responsibility.

Competency-based selection must be applied when building team capability.

Training, development, coaching, and mentoring must be implemented to enhance workforce skills and performance.

Effective communication within the team must be maintained through meetings and Invocoms.

Discipline and accountability must be managed to ensure operational consistency.

Strong working relationships must be established with union representatives to promote collaboration and stability.

A safe and supportive working environment must be maintained in accordance with Premier standards.

Compliance, Safety and Quality Assurance

Full statutory compliance with health and safety and food safety requirements must be ensured.

Training of relevant personnel must be conducted to maintain compliance and awareness of safety standards.

Audits must be conducted, and corrective actions implemented in collaboration with the risk function.

Quality assurance processes must be maintained to ensure consistent product standards and regulatory compliance.

Production Planning and Performance Management

The Production Shift Manager must ensure cost-effective production through effective planning, organising, and management of production activities.

Production must operate within the designed capacity of the plant while aligning with budgets, resource plans, and performance targets.

Financial awareness is required to support planning, budgeting, and cost control initiatives.

Performance management principles must be applied to monitor and improve team productivity and operational outcomes.

Qualifications and Experience

Grade 12 or equivalent qualification.

Chamber of Baking certificate is required.

3–5 years of FMCG plant bakery production management experience.

Plant bakery experience is essential.

Skills and Competencies

Strong knowledge of bakery process quality requirements and standards.

Understanding of raw material functionality and quality, particularly flour.

Food safety knowledge and compliance awareness.

Leadership and management capability.

Financial acumen to support budgeting and cost control.

Performance management expertise.

Understanding of disciplinary and grievance management processes.

Working Conditions

The role operates in a pressurised production environment.

Shift work is required, including weekends and public holidays.

Overtime may be expected from time to time depending on production requirements.

Apply for Production Shift Manager – Bakery

Candidates who meet the above requirements and have proven experience in bakery production management are encouraged to submit their application.

👉 Apply for Production Shift Manager – Bakery

Explore More FMCG and Production Jobs

👉 Manufacturing Management Jobs in South Africa
👉 Food Production and Bakery Vacancies
👉 Production and Operations Jobs