Shift Manager – Packaging

About the role

The Shift Manager – Packaging will lead the shop‑floor team in Durban to meet customer demands for quality, quantity and on‑time delivery while maintaining the highest standards of housekeeping and equipment cleanliness. The role combines operational oversight, continuous‑improvement leadership and people development to ensure a high‑performance production environment.

Key responsibilities

• Supervise and develop a high‑performing production team to achieve operational KPIs.
• Manage shift schedules, resource utilisation and cost control to minimise waste.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety, ISO, OHSAS and BRC food‑safety standards.
• Oversee equipment maintenance, inspections and cleanliness to reduce downtime.
• Drive continuous‑improvement projects using problem‑solving methodologies.
• Investigate customer complaints, determine root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Handle employee performance, attendance, disciplinary matters and competency development in partnership with HR and technical trainers.
• Support apprenticeship, internship and learnership programmes.

Required profile

• Matric (Grade 12) with relevant trade test.
• N5‑6 qualification in Production/Operations Management.
• 3‑5 years experience as a Flexo or Gravure operator in a production environment.
• 1‑2 years supervisory experience in manufacturing.
• Experience facilitating Africomms and leading continuous‑improvement initiatives.

Required skills

• Flexo and Gravure operation expertise.
• Equipment maintenance and inspection procedures.
• Knowledge of ISO, OHSAS and BRC standards.
• Continuous‑improvement methodologies (e.g., Kaizen, Six Sigma).
• Root‑cause analysis and corrective‑action implementation.
• Resource planning and cost‑control techniques.
• Labour‑legislation compliance and competency‑matrix management.