Production

Location: East Africa

Role & Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end production operations across automated PET beverage filling lines, including CSDs, Nitrogen Hot Fill Juices, Energy Drinks, and Water.
• Manage production planning, scheduling, line efficiency, OEE, wastage, and production targets.
• Oversee PET preform and cap manufacturing through injection moulding operations.
• Drive maintenance, engineering, utilities, and equipment reliability to ensure uninterrupted plant operations.
• Lead troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, automation, pneumatic, and process-related issues.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, and food safety standards.
• Manage SAP/MES-based production reporting, material reconciliation, and operational KPI dashboards.
• Lead and develop multidisciplinary production, engineering, quality, and technical teams.
• Implement Lean manufacturing, TPM, Kaizen, cost reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support new product development, machinery commissioning, and plant expansion projects.

Preferred Candidate Profile:

• Proven experience in beverage manufacturing, PET bottling, and plastics/preform/cap production.
• Hands-on experience with Krones filling and packaging lines, including Contiform, Modulfill, Checkmat, Linajet, or equivalent equipment.
• Experience with KraussMaffei and/or Netstal injection moulding machines for PET preforms and closures.
• Strong knowledge of Nitrogen Hot Fill PET juice processing, including nitrogen dosing, fill temperature, dissolved oxygen control, and vacuum integrity.
• Strong technical understanding of mechanical, electrical, PLC, automation, and industrial maintenance systems.
• Advanced proficiency in SAP PP/MM/PM and MES-driven manufacturing environments.
• Experience in OEE improvement, preventive/predictive maintenance, quality systems, and Lean manufacturing.
• Strong leadership, analytical, problem-solving, and hands-on plant management capabilities.
• Candidates with relevant experience in East Africa or other international manufacturing environments will be considered.

We do not charge any fees from candidates at any stage of the recruitment process.