General Manager

Reference: CPT006605-CS-2

General Manager (Manufacturing) – Cape Town

Manufacturing | Full-time | On-site

Our client is an established manufacturing and distribution business supplying a wide range of products to major South African retailers. Operating within a complex, multi-stage production environment, the business requires strong executive-level leadership to drive operational performance, commercial outcomes, and long-term scalability.

They are seeking a hands-on General Manager to take full responsibility for the factory, overseeing operations, people, performance, and profitability. This role is suited to a senior leader who can bring structure, drive efficiency, and operate at both a strategic and operational level.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full accountability for factory operations, performance, and output
• Translate demand into structured production plans and ensure consistent execution
• Manage production flow, batch control, and WIP across departments
• Drive throughput, reduce bottlenecks, and improve operational efficiency
• Sit on EXCO and contribute to strategic business decisions
• Engage directly with customers regarding manufacturing contracts and delivery expectations
• Oversee costing, BOMs, and product pricing
• Set and manage production targets, monitoring team performance against KPIs
• Implement KPI structures for supervisors and production teams
• Lead and manage all factory staff, including wage reviews and increases
• Develop and manage sales budgets and capital expenditure planning
• Deliver monthly reporting to Head Office with direct reporting to the CEO
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, improve productivity, and optimise headcount
• Implement Lean principles and build a high-performance culture
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety regulations and standards
• Oversee equipment reliability and maintenance planning

Requirements

• Relevant degree (essential)
• Proven experience in a senior manufacturing leadership or General Management role
• Strong background in multi-stage manufacturing (fabrication, processing, finishing environments)
• Demonstrated experience managing full factory operations, including commercial and financial aspects
• Strong understanding of costing, BOMs, and pricing within a manufacturing environment
• Experience operating at EXCO or senior leadership level
• Proven ability to drive operational improvements and reduce inefficiencies
• Strong leadership capability with experience managing large teams
• Hands-on, structured, and highly process-driven approach

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