Background

Bollard was established in September 2016, to provide professional HR support for SMEs through tailormade solutions. We work with our clients through need identification, solution design and deployment. In this Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous business environment, we believe in close partnership with our clients. This has enabled us walk with t...

The role fosters a lean, hands-on, entrepreneurial mindset driven by ownership, data-backed execution, transparency, and high performance. The Production Manager will take full operational ownership of factory floor production during facility commissioning and full-scale commercial operations. This role ensures maximum yield, cost efficiency, daily output, and continuous adherence to international food safety and quality standards.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Production Planning & Execution

• Lead daily factory operations, shift scheduling, machine utilization, and frontline workforce deployment to meet daily production targets.
• Monitor and optimize key performance indicators (KPIs), including yield or recovery rates, WIP tracking, downtime reduction, waste minimization, and production cost per kilogram.
• Establish structured daily shift handovers and submit disciplined operational reports to executive leadership.

Quality, Food Safety & Compliance

• Enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP standards, sanitation, traceability, and foreign-matter or segregation controls across all processing lines.
• Collaborate closely with Quality Assurance to prepare the plant for upcoming BRCGS certification within three months of operational launch.

Team Leadership & Operational Management

• Directly manage the Assistant Production Manager, Production Supervisors, Line Leaders, Machine or Dryer Operators, Maintenance team, Packing Teams, and seasonal casual labor.
• Foster a culture of discipline, accountability, safe work practices, and high productivity on the factory floor.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Sourcing, Warehouse or Stores, Maintenance, HR, and Finance teams to ensure seamless factory operations.

Key Requirements & Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Food Science or Technology, Production Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive production experience within food or agro-processing manufacturing, including at least 3 years directly managing shifts and frontline teams.
• Hands-on experience in dried fruit, fresh-produce packhouses, juice or pulp, canning, dairy, beverages, or snacks is required.
• Strong practical knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and foreign-matter controls within BRCGS, FSSC 22000, or ISO 22000 operating environments.
• Demonstrable track record of managing yield, waste, equipment utilization, and labor productivity using structured daily KPI data.
• Business fluency in spoken and written English and Kiswahili.
• Must reside within or be willing to relocate to Thika, with full availability for shift-based schedules, weekend coverage, and extended hours during peak mango season and plant commissioning.

• Lead daily factory operations, shift scheduling, machine utilization, and frontline workforce deployment to meet daily production targets.
• Monitor and optimize key performance indicators (KPIs), including yield or recovery rates, WIP tracking, downtime reduction, waste minimization, and production cost per kilogram.
• Establish structured daily shift handovers and submit disciplined operational reports to executive leadership.
• Enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP standards, sanitation, traceability, and foreign-matter or segregation controls across all processing lines.
• Collaborate closely with Quality Assurance to prepare the plant for upcoming BRCGS certification within three months of operational launch.
• Directly manage the Assistant Production Manager, Production Supervisors, Line Leaders, Machine or Dryer Operators, Maintenance team, Packing Teams, and seasonal casual labor.
• Foster a culture of discipline, accountability, safe work practices, and high productivity on the factory floor.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Sourcing, Warehouse or Stores, Maintenance, HR, and Finance teams to ensure seamless factory operations.

• Strong practical knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and foreign-matter controls within BRCGS, FSSC 22000, or ISO 22000 operating environments.
• Demonstrable track record of managing yield, waste, equipment utilization, and labor productivity using structured daily KPI data.
• Business fluency in spoken and written English and Kiswahili.

• Degree or Diploma in Food Science or Technology, Production Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive production experience within food or agro-processing manufacturing, including at least 3 years directly managing shifts and frontline teams.
• Hands-on experience in dried fruit, fresh-produce packhouses, juice or pulp, canning, dairy, beverages, or snacks is required.