Production Manager - International Seafood Company

Job description

Position Summary

The Production Manager is responsible for delivering safe, efficient and cost-effective production across ISFC's canned tuna and sardine operations. The role drives manufacturing excellence by maximizing Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), optimizing raw fish yield, improving labour productivity, reducing unit production costs, minimizing waste, ensuring accurate inventory control, and achieving production targets while maintaining the highest food safety and quality standards. The position will report to the Operations Director

Key Responsibilities

Production Leadership

Lead daily production of canned tuna and sardines to achieve safety, quality, output and cost objectives.
Deliver the production plan in coordination with Planning, Supply Chain and Maintenance.
Ensure compliance with food safety, GMP, HACCP and regulatory requirements.

Yield Optimisation

Maximise fish recovery and edible yield throughout thawing, cleaning, cooking, loining, filling and packing.
Monitor yield losses by process step and implement corrective actions.
Benchmark yield against international seafood manufacturing best practice.

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

Improve OEE through higher availability, performance and quality.
Reduce downtime, changeover losses, micro-stoppages and speed losses.
Work with Maintenance to implement TPM and preventive maintenance.

Labour Productivity

Improve worker efficiency through line balancing, work measurement and standard operating procedures.
Develop productivity KPIs and incentive programmes.
Optimise manpower utilisation while maintaining safety and quality.

Material Optimisation

Optimise consumption of fish, oil, brine, sauces and other additives.
Reduce consumption of cans, lids, cartons, labels, shrink film and pallets.
Minimise giveaway, damage, scrap and rework.

Cost Management

Drive continuous reduction in manufacturing cost per case and cost per tonne.
Identify productivity and waste reduction projects.
Prepare weekly and monthly production cost reports with variance analysis.

Inventory Management

Maintain accurate WIP, packaging and finished goods inventory.
Ensure FIFO/FEFO compliance and stock accuracy.
Support monthly stock counts and inventory reconciliation.

Continuous Improvement

Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and Kaizen initiatives.
Implement root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Promote a culture of operational excellence.

People Leadership

Coach supervisors and develop production talent.
Promote safety, teamwork, accountability and high performance.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Production

Production plan attainment (%)
Output per shift
Capacity utilisation (%)

Yield

Fish yield (%)
Raw material loss (%)
Giveaway (%)

OEE

Overall Equipment Effectiveness
Availability
Performance
Quality rate

Labour

Cases per labour hour
Labour productivity
Overtime control

Materials

Packaging consumption variance
Additive consumption variance
Waste & scrap reduction

Cost

Manufacturing cost per case
Conversion cost per tonne
Energy & utility efficiency

Inventory

Inventory accuracy
WIP accuracy
Stock losses
Cycle count compliance

Quality & Safety

First-pass quality
Customer complaints
Food safety compliance
Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Food Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing or related discipline.
10+ years of food or seafood manufacturing experience.
Minimum 5 years leading high-volume production operations.
Experience with OEE, Lean Manufacturing, TPM and continuous improvement.
Knowledge of ERP/MES production reporting systems.

Core Competencies

Production planning and scheduling
Yield optimisation
Manufacturing cost control
Inventory management
Lean Manufacturing
OEE improvement
Root cause analysis
Leadership and coaching
Data-driven decision making
Cross-functional collaboration

Success Profile

Consistently achieves production targets safely and efficiently.
Maximises fish yield and minimises waste.
Improves OEE and labour productivity year after year.
Reduces manufacturing cost per unit while protecting quality.
Maintains accurate inventories and reliable production reporting.
Builds a disciplined, high-performing production team that supports ISFC's global growth ambitions.