Production Supervisor

Job description

POSITION DETAILS

Job Title: Production Supervisor

Department: Production

Duty Station: Lusaka

Reports To: General Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time

JOB PURPOSE

To oversee and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the production and retail processing plant, ensuring the efficient processing, filtration, packaging, storage and dispatch of honey and related products in accordance with established quality standards, food safety requirements and production targets.

The Production Supervisor is responsible for ensuring optimal utilization of Labour, raw materials, machinery and other production resources while maintaining compliance with Company policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), applicable regulatory requirements and relevant certification standards, including ECOCERT, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and FSSC requirements.

The position plays a critical role in maintaining product quality, minimizing production losses, ensuring operational efficiency and supporting the Company’s domestic and international market requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. PRODUCTION OPERATIONS & SUPERVISION

1. Supervise and coordinate the daily operations of the retail processing plant, including honey filtration, processing, filling, packaging and preparation for dispatch.
2. Allocate duties and responsibilities to production personnel, monitor task execution and evaluate work performance to ensure production targets are achieved.
3. Develop and implement daily and weekly production schedules in line with operational requirements, available raw materials and customer orders.
4. Monitor production processes to ensure efficient utilization of Labour, equipment, materials and other resources.
5. Ensure production activities are carried out in accordance with approved SOPs, operational guidelines and established quality standards.

B. QUALITY CONTROL & FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT

1. Ensure all production activities comply with applicable food safety regulations, Company policies, GMP, relevant ECOCERT requirements and applicable FSSC certification standards.
2. Oversee the implementation and maintenance of food safety programmes, prerequisite programmes and established hygiene procedures within the production facility.
3. Work closely with the Product Certification and Quality Controller to ensure all processed and packaged products meet approved quality specifications.
4. Ensure appropriate quality inspections and testing are conducted on incoming raw bulk honey, products undergoing processing and finished retail honey.
5. Monitor honey quality against established specifications, including applicable requirements relating to product appearance, moisture content and other prescribed quality parameters.

C. INVENTORY, STOCK CONTROL & WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT

1. Supervise the receiving, storage, movement and dispatch of raw materials, packaging materials, work-in-progress and finished products.
2. Ensure that all stock movements are properly authorized, documented and accurately reflected in the relevant inventory records.
3. Monitor raw honey and packaging material consumption to ensure efficient utilization and minimize avoidable wastage.
4. Maintain appropriate stock levels to support uninterrupted production and timely fulfilment of customer orders.
5. Ensure stock is correctly identified, labelled, stored and arranged in accordance with approved warehouse procedures and product handling requirements.

D. PRODUCTION PLANNING & EXPORT COORDINATION

1. Develop production and packaging plans based on sales requirements, available stock, production capacity and anticipated demand.
2. Coordinate with the General Manager, Logistics and Procurement Supervisor on export preparation schedules and shipment requirements.
3. Ensure products designated for export are processed, packaged, labelled and prepared in accordance with applicable export specifications and quality requirements.
4. Monitor raw honey and packaging material stock levels and recommend appropriate reorder quantities to prevent production interruptions.

E. MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT & MAINTENANCE COORDINATION

1. Monitor the performance and operational condition of production machinery and equipment to ensure safe and efficient operations.
2. Ensure that production parameters, including filtration processes, pump operations, equipment speed and processing temperatures, are monitored and maintained within approved specifications.
3. Coordinate with the Technical and Mechanical Department to ensure preventive maintenance schedules are implemented and adhered to.
4. Identify equipment malfunctions, breakdowns and abnormal operating conditions and promptly report them to the relevant technical personnel.

F. HEALTH, SAFETY, HYGIENE & HOUSEKEEPING

1. Ensure the production facility is maintained in a clean, hygienic and safe condition at all times.
2. Supervise the daily cleaning and sanitization of production areas, machinery, tools, utensils and other equipment.
3. Ensure that waste generated during production is appropriately segregated, handled and disposed of in accordance with established procedures.
4. Enforce compliance with workplace health and safety procedures, food handling requirements and personal hygiene standards.
5. Ensure production personnel use the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and follow safe working practices.

G. TEAM MANAGEMENT & EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT

1. Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance and supervision to production personnel.
2. Allocate tasks based on operational requirements, employee competencies and available resources.
3. Monitor employee attendance, punctuality, productivity and adherence to established work procedures.
4. Identify employee performance gaps and recommend appropriate coaching, training or corrective interventions.
5. Support employee performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback on individual and team performance.

H. RECORD KEEPING, REPORTING & COMPLIANCE

1. Prepare accurate daily, weekly and monthly production reports for submission to the General Manager and other relevant Management personnel.
2. Maintain comprehensive production records, including raw material consumption, processing volumes, packaging output, stock movements, wastage and production downtime.
3. Ensure all production documentation is completed accurately, legibly and within the prescribed timelines.
4. Maintain updated electronic and physical records of production activities, inspections, quality tests and relevant operational controls.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Educational Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Production Management, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering or a related field.
• Additional training or certification in Food Safety Management Systems, GMP, HACCP or related quality management standards will be an added advantage.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 3–5 years of relevant experience in food processing, manufacturing or production operations.
• At least 2 years of experience in a supervisory or team leadership capacity.
• Experience in honey processing, food packaging or agro-processing will be an added advantage.
• Practical knowledge of food safety standards, quality control procedures and production planning.

How to apply: Send all applications to the email below clearly stating Your Full Names – Position Applied for and all relevant attachments in a single document.