Production & Operations Manager

Key Responsibilities

Production & Operations

• Plan and manage daily production schedules to meet customer orders and deadlines.

• Ensure efficient utilization of processing equipment (injectors, tumblers, forming lines, smoking/cooking ovens, slicers, grinders, portioning lines).

• Monitor yield performance and implement corrective actions to minimize losses.

• Collaborate with Planning and Sales to align production capacity and demand forecasts.

Product Development & R&D

• Lead development of new poultry value-added products (marinated, smoked, breaded, formed, cooked, ready-to-eat).

• Conduct trials for new recipes, processes, spices, ingredients, packaging formats.

• Optimize existing recipes to improve yield, shelf life, quality, cost, and consistency.

• Work closely with QA and Sales to understand market trends, customer feedback, and regulatory requirements.

• Oversee technical documentation—specifications, process flows, ingredient declarations, allergen statements, nutritional information.

• Validate new equipment, technologies, or processes related to new product introduction.

• Plan and execute pilot trials for new products on the production line.

• Coordinate product roll-out teams (QA, Production, Sales, Procurement) for a smooth rollout.

• Set production parameters, yields, cooking curves, marination percentages, and process controls for new products.

• Conduct sensory evaluations and refine formulations on new prototypes and commercial batches.

• Ensure scale-up from pilot to commercial production is efficient and cost-effective.

People Management

• Supervise production supervisors, machine operators, and R&D technicians.

• Develop training programs on hygiene, safety, new technologies, and new product procedures.

• Handle performance reviews and manage staff discipline, attendance, and competency development.

Cost & Efficiency

• Control usage of raw materials, ingredients, spices, and packaging to minimize wastage.

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• Monitor KPIs such as yield, throughput, labour efficiency, OEE, and cost per kg produced.

• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Kaizen, root-cause analysis).

Equipment & Maintenance

• Work with Maintenance to schedule preventive maintenance and ensure equipment reliability.

• Troubleshoot breakdowns and support maintenance teams to reduce downtime.

• Recommend new equipment or upgrades to support product innovation and increased capacity.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure adherence to health and safety regulations.

• Prepare daily/weekly/monthly production and development reports.

• Maintain updated documentation for audits, certification bodies, and export requirements.

• Support customer visits, regulatory inspections, and certification renewals.

Qualification, Experience and Competencies

• Degree/Diploma in Food Science, Meat Science, Food Technology, Production Management, or related field.

• Strong understanding of marination, injection technology, tumbling, forming, smoking/cooking processes, freezing, and packaging.

• 5+ years hands-on experience with R&D, formulation, and pilot/industrial trials.

• Familiarity with HACCP, FSSC, GMP, and food safety standards.

• Strong project management, leadership, and analytical/problem-solving skills.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Creative and technical mindset for product innovation.

• Strong communication and cross-functional coordination capability.

• Ability to balance quality, cost, and operational feasibility.

• Strong attention to detail and understanding of market trends.

• Data-driven approach, with strong sensory analysis and yield optimization skills.

Send your CV & Cover letter to
employment@interchick.co.tz

DEADLINE
20TH NOVEMBER 2025