Production Supervisor

JOB SUMMARY

A results-driven Production Supervisor with proven experience in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) manufacturing environments. Responsible for supervising daily production operations to ensure safety, quality, cost, and delivery targets are consistently met. Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate production teams, optimize processes, and drive continuous improvement while maintaining strict compliance with safety, quality, and GMP standards.

Strong background in production planning, shift management, performance monitoring, and problem-solving on high-speed production lines. Experienced in managing KPIs such as OEE, productivity, waste reduction, and downtime, while ensuring effective communication between production, maintenance, quality, and logistics teams. Committed to fostering a safe, disciplined, and high-performance shop-floor culture

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES / TASKS

 Production & Operations Management

• Supervise and coordinate day-to-day production activities to meet safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity targets.
• Plan, prioritize, and execute production schedules in line with customer demand, available resources, and production plans.
• Ensure all production activities comply with the Standard Production Method (SPM) and approved operating procedures.
• Monitor line performance, efficiency, and output, ensuring a minimum productivity target (e.g. ≥85%) is consistently achieved.
• Ensure all production documentation, action logs, and shift reports are accurately completed and submitted on time.

People Leadership & Workforce Management

• Provide clear instructions, guidance, and on-the-job coaching to production operators and team members.
• Lead, motivate, and discipline production teams to maintain high performance, accountability, and teamwork.
• Manage attendance, timekeeping, and shift handovers, ensuring adequate staffing at all times.
• Identify training needs and facilitate skill development, including safety, quality, and operational training.
• Maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, managers, and support departments.

Quality Management (ISO 9001)

• Ensure products consistently meet quality standards and customer requirements.
• Enforce compliance with ISO 9001 quality management system requirements across all production processes.
• Ensure accurate product traceability, including correct labelling and documentation for all finished goods.
• Support quality audits, inspections, and corrective action implementation.
• React immediately to quality deviations, contain non-conforming product, and report issues according to escalation procedures.

Environmental Management (ISO 14001)

• Ensure compliance with ISO 14001 environmental management system requirements on the shop floor.
• Promote responsible use of resources, waste reduction, and proper waste segregation.
• Ensure environmental risks, incidents, and non-conformances are identified, reported, and addressed promptly.
• Support environmental audits and continuous improvement initiatives related to sustainability.

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across safety, quality, cost, delivery, and morale.
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies such as:
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• QRQC
• Six Sigma / Lean tools where applicable
• Identify process inefficiencies, waste, and losses, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor KPIs such as OEE, downtime, scrap, and rework, and lead improvement actions with cross-functional teams.

Safety, Health & Housekeeping

• Ensure strict compliance with workplace health and safety policies and legal requirements.
• Enforce use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times and ensure PPE is properly maintained.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping and 5S across all production areas.
• Ensure machines, equipment, and work areas are kept safe, clean, and orderly.
• Report and escalate safety hazards, incidents, or unsafe conditions immediately.

Systems, Administration & Reporting

• Ensure accurate record-keeping for production data, attendance, stock counts, and performance metrics.
• Use production and ERP systems (e.g. JDE) to capture, analyse, and report operational data.
• Coordinate with maintenance, engineering, quality, and logistics to ensure smooth production flow.
• Prepare and maintain required production reports, documentation, and audit records.

Flexibility & Support

• Support operations across different production areas as required by business needs.
• Operate effectively within a rotating shift system (morning, afternoon, night).
• Perform additional duties related to production operations when required.

QUALIFICATIONS

 Education

• National Diploma or Degree (NQF Level 5–6) in one of the following:
• Production Management
• Operations Management
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical / Electrical Engineering
• Manufacturing Management
• Trade Test with supervisory experience may be considered in lieu of a diploma (for strong shop-floor candidates)

Professional & Technical Certifications (Advantageous)

• ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems (awareness or internal auditor level)
• ISO 14001: Environmental Management Systems (awareness level)
• Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement certification
• Six Sigma White or Yellow Belt (preferred)
• 5S and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) training
• Health & Safety certification (e.g. SHE Rep)

Experience

• 2–5 years’ experience in a mass production or FMCG manufacturing environment
• Previous experience as a Supervisor, Senior Operator, or Line Leader is acceptable
• Proven exposure to:

• •     High-speed production lines
  •     Quality and safety systems

• People supervision and shift work
• Systems & Skills
• Proficient in ERP/MRP systems (e.g. JDE, SAP, or similar)
• Computer literate (MS Office: Excel, Word, intermediate reporting)
• Strong understanding of:

• • Production planning
  • KPI management (efficiency, OEE, waste)
  • GMP / SOP-driven environments

BIC World is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly commit to hiring people with different backgrounds and experiences to help us build better products, make better decisions, and better serve our customers. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or similar characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

BIC World is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for this employment opportunity. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any team member at BIC via email, or directly to a BIC team member in any form without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the sole property of BIC, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by BIC as a result of the referral or through other means.