Production Manager – Beverage and Plastics/Packaging Plant

The Production Manager will provide strategic and hands-on leadership across production, maintenance, engineering, utilities and technical operations within a high-volume beverage and plastics manufacturing environment. The role will be responsible for maximizing production efficiency, equipment reliability, product quality, cost control and team performance. This is a senior, hands-on, floor-present leadership role demanding deep technical mastery of automated Krones filling lines, PET preform and cap moulding operations, and the full spectrum of mechanical, electrical, automation, and quality systems.

• Lead end-to-end production operations, including production planning, scheduling, line performance, material availability and production targets.
• Drive production efficiency, equipment availability and waste reduction, targeting high operational performance and minimal unplanned downtime.
• Oversee PET beverage production and plastics manufacturing, including preform and closure production.
• Lead maintenance and engineering activities, ensuring preventive and predictive maintenance programs are effectively implemented.
• Troubleshoot and resolve mechanical, electrical, automation, pneumatic and production equipment issues.
• Monitor production KPIs including efficiency, downtime, yield, wastage, quality and production plan adherence.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, occupational health and safety standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Manage production materials and inventory to minimize stock-outs, wastage and excess inventory.
• Drive cost reduction, continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives across the plant.
• Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary production and technical team, promoting accountability, skills development and a strong safety culture.
• Support new product development, equipment commissioning, plant expansion and process improvement projects.
• Prepare and review production, maintenance and operational performance reports for senior management.

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering or closely related field.
• An MBA or specialisation in Supply Chain / Operations Management is a significant advantage.
• 12-15+ years of total manufacturing experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior production leadership role in a Beverage and Plastics/Packaging plant.
• Hands-on, proven experience operating and troubleshooting Krones filling and packaging lines Contiform, Modulfill, Checkmat, Linajet, or equivalent.
• Direct operational experience on KraussMaffei and/or Netstal injection moulding machines for PET preforms and closures.
• Strong working knowledge of Nitrogen-based Hot Fill PET juice processing - dissolved oxygen control, fill temperature, nitrogen dosing, and vacuum integrity.
• Advanced proficiency in SAP PP, MM, PM modules and production data analytics within an ERP/MES-driven plant environment.