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PLANT MANAGER

Gauteng, South Africa

Job ID: R-1179705

Job Type: Full time

Job Category: Supply Chain

 

Job Details

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Unilever is currently hiring for a Plant Manager

Function: Supply Chain

Reports to:S ourcing Unit Director

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Terms & Conditions: Full time, onsite

At Unilever, everything we do is driven by purpose. This is an opportunity to help shape a better business and a better world through the impact of your work.

We’re looking for a Plant Manager to lead end‑to‑end production and internal logistics operations, ensuring safe, efficient, cost‑effective, and high‑quality manufacturing performance. This role is critical in driving manufacturing excellence, continuous improvement, and operational reliability while building strong, capable teams.

You’ll be part of a team that believes in doing work that truly matters — for people and the planet.

 

Key Responsibilities

Plant Operations & Delivery

  • Lead all production and internal logistics operations from goods receipt, material storage, and internal handling through processing, packing, and dispatch
  • Deliver production commitments in line with agreed volume, quality, cost, and service targets
  • Review production progress daily and lead resolution of operational issues

Manufacturing Excellence & Continuous Improvement

  • Drive continuous improvement across production and internal logistics using TPM and Manufacturing Excellence methodologies
  • Achieve annual committed Manufacturing Excellence savings
  • Identify and address bottlenecks, constraints, and improvement opportunities to optimise asset utilisation and reduce waste
  • Review production performance KPIs weekly through structured Kaizen forums

Performance, Planning & Cost Control

  • Achieve operational performance (OP) targets for Volume, OEE, OR, and Cost
  • Define key capacity parameters and constraints to support short‑ and long‑term production planning
  • Prepare, manage, and control the factory operating plan and budget
  • Control manufacturing conversion and internal logistics costs (labour, waste, rework) against agreed targets
  • Partner with Supply Planning to manage production prioritisation, resource planning, and future growth requirements

Quality, Safety, Health & Environment

  • Ensure all products meet Unilever quality standards and specifications through robust operator‑based quality systems
  • Work closely with the Site Quality Manager to ensure ongoing quality compliance, reviewed through monthly quality circles
  • Ensure a clean, safe, and compliant working environment in line with Unilever Corporate and Business Unit SHEQ standards
  • Lead the implementation and maintenance of ISO 9000 / 14000 / 18000 systems
  • Design, implement, and monitor systems for safe chemical handling, process safety, and people safety
  • Ensure appropriate safety training programs are in place and fully embedded

Engineering, Maintenance & Asset Care

  • Partner with the Site Engineer to ensure factory capacity is sufficient to meet commitments and growth plans
  • Work closely with the Maintenance Manager to ensure high reliability and efficiency of production and internal logistics equipment
  • Maximise asset effectiveness through strong maintenance and reliability practices

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

  • Coordinate the availability of resources and inputs from internal functions and third‑party partners
  • Work in close liaison with Engineering, Quality, Supply Planning, and Maintenance teams to ensure operational alignment
  • Ensure timely and effective implementation of new product launches and innovations

Leadership & People Development

  • Lead and develop Production and Internal Logistics teams to deliver world‑class operations
  • Build strong team‑working through cross‑functional projects and team‑building initiatives
  • Identify, develop, and strengthen leadership capability within the plant
  • Delegate accountability appropriately to drive ownership and performance
  • Assess capability gaps and implement training and development programs across production and internal logistics teams
  • Manage performance effectively, including addressing poor performance through courageous conversations

 

Required Qualifications

  • Minimum 5 years’ management experience in Supply Chain or Manufacturing operations
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical or Mechanical)
  • Hands‑on experience in World Class Manufacturing (WCM) / TPM
  • Strong FMCG manufacturing or fast‑moving production environment experience
  • Experience working with SAP ERP systems
  • Strong budget and cost management capability
  • Experience with IR / EE practices
  • Capability in performance management and managing poor performance
  • Strong leadership presence with the ability to lead courageous conversations
  • Solid understanding of SHEQ standards and systems
  • Demonstrated application of the 7 Key Skills of Management Effectiveness

 

Why Join Unilever?

  • Work for one of the world’s most purpose-led and trusted brands.
  • Drive meaningful impact on business capability and performance.
  • Be part of a supportive, culture‑driven environment that values people and growth.
  • Enjoy opportunities for regional exposure and professional development.

 

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.

 

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PACK PLANT ENGINEER

Gauteng, South Africa

Job ID: R-1175564

Job Type: Full time

Job Category: Supply Chain

 

Job Details

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Join us as Packaging Engineer

Function: Supply Chain

Reports to: Site Engineering Manager

Scope: Local

Location: Gauteng, Boksburg Factory

Terms & Conditions: full time onsite and must have own transport

 

JOB PURPOSE

This role exists to Prioritize and allocate resources for maintenance of packing plant equipment in order to ensure safe and optimum machine reliability and availability. You’ll be part of a team that believes in doing work that matters — for people and the planet. Because here, we don’t just hire jobs. We invite you to be part of something bigger.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Safety:
  • Ensures that OHS Act and the company safety rules and procedures are adhered to within the area of responsibility.
  • Identifies risks for maintenance/factory activities and addresses them
  • Budget:
  • Controls and executes work against budget and authorize spending within authority limits.
  • Plans and proposes maintenance budget.
  • Finds opportunities for budget reduction and savings projects without an impact on Reliability
  • Projects:
  • Acts as Maintenance representative on site projects and conducts forward planning to help filter out the relevant and important projects in the department.
  • Guarantees Early Equipment Maintenance implementation at beginning of the project
  • Plant Availability:
  • Ensures that machines are maintained as required and according to the maintenance schedule (current improvement methodology on site is World Class Manufacturing)
  • Develops and implements maintenance projects and standards by sourcing and evaluating materials and allocating and staff.
  • Ensures that the spares required for maintenance are available and are procured according to quality specifications
  • Ensures that breakdowns/ adjustment losses are handled promptly and proper root cause analysis (RCA) is done
  • Manages action plans from maintenance activities (condition-based maintenance, Maintenance Tags, RCA)
  • Ensures that engineering-related losses are identified and eliminated/reduced
  • People:
  • Lead a team of approximately 20 artisans and apprentices.
  • This will include driving a professional Engineering culture that involves solving problems promptly and properly, at a high technical standard.
  • Team management also includes setting up targets, monitoring performance and motivating the team

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • BSc/ BTech in Electrical, Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering

 

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

  • Minimum 5 years Packaging Engineering experience within FMCG/ Manufacturing environments
  • Packaging background and working knowledge
  • Proficient leadership and management experience across strong Teams, Stakeholders and Suppliers/ Third Parties/ Contractors

 

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.  We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country, and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.  

We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents supporting this.

This is a factory-based role in Johannesburg (Boksburg Factory) and requires 100% of time attendance on site.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.

 

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UNIT MANAGER MAKE

Gauteng, South Africa

Job ID: R-1178611

Job Type: Full time

Job Category: Supply Chain

 

Job Details

 

APPLY

 

Unilever is currently hiring for Unit Manager Make

Function: Supply Chain

Reports to: Plant Manager

Scope: Local

Location: Boksburg

Terms & Conditions: Full-time


ABOUT UNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

 

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. The main job purpose is to ensure the production and packaging of company products, according to the production plan and within company’s quality and safety standards.

 

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

  • Agrees and implements production plan with production manager.
  • Support, guide and direct within the production plan. (e.g. if a production line breaks down, prioritize production requirements and re-allocates labour accordingly)
  • Analyses shift results and implements any necessary changes to increase production.
  • Ensures that quality standards are implemented and adhered to and diagnoses plant problems (fault finding) and liaises with Engineering Foreman for plant repairs and interprets fault finding to optimize production.
  • Ensure that shift repairs and maintenance is carried out by the Team Leaders and operators to reduce the impact of downtime .
  • Conduct daily production meetings with the different production disciplines to analyze previous shift results and implements any necessary changes to meet demand.
  • Responsible for ensuring sufficient staff and adequate raw materials.
  • Identifies causes and costs of waste, contamination and inefficiencies and takes appropriate action to reduce these amounts.
  • Monitor and reduce wastes such as product, raw materials, packaging, steam, air, water and electricity.
  • Application of mass balance for Raw material usage control. Understanding of SAP system to conduct Stock take activities and daily SAP compliance activities.
  • Monitors and ensures adherence to Company standards and SOP’s. Ensures that Plant is maintained in a high level of engineering, cleaning and Safety standard.
  • Implements total productive maintenance to improve PQCDSMI (Production, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Safety, Morale, and Innovation) to deliver against set Factory targets.
  • Implement recommendations from SHE, Quality or engineering.
  • Ensures responsible management of SHE, Quality and Engineering using the SHE, Quality and Engineering Teams as Subject Matter Experts

Operational Systems:

  • Ensure that all employees adhere to the operational systems standards (SAP, Time keeper, ABC quality, ESS, Clock cards etc) and manages the business processes defined within these operational systems
  • Identifies reasons for staff non-conformance (e.g. training required, managing poor performance, refusal to obey lawful instruction, absenteeism) and takes appropriate action.
  • Monitors processes and changes and ensures that corrective action has been taken in the event of a non-conformance.
  • Co-ordinates the implementation of TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) and world class principles in the factory

Safety:

  • As a section 16.2 appointee is required to ensure that the OHS act and company SHE regulations and standards are implemented and adhered to within the sphere of his/her responsibilities.
  • Takes corrective action in the case of non-compliance as per the Section 16.2 requirements.
  • Prepares for quarterly and annual Audits.
  • Ensures adequate level compliance with the said policies, procedures and standards to meet all certification requirements at any given time.
  • Ensures Business and Factory strategy for Safety is executed at a tactical level.

Cost Management:

  • Drives a cost-conscious culture
  • Monitors and ensures MUC losses and conversion cost losses are eliminated against budgets.
  • Ensures budget constraints are complied with and variances are actioned
  • Identifies sources of waste and takes action to minimize waste.
  • Monitors Rand per Ton costs and shares info with teams
  • Monitor and Control sundry costs such as PPE, telephone, tearoom etc

People Development:

  • Identify training gaps for subordinates based on losses/ business need and execute plan together with HR/Training to close them
  • Develop Personal Development Plans for subordinates and monitor progress

Industrial Relations:

  • Initiates disciplinary action/enquiries and recommends dismissals
  • Resolve conflicts within immediate team and facilitates conflict resolution within subordinate teams
  • Builds and maintains levels of trust with the Union Leadership and Shop Floor to facilitate win/win situations
  • Eliminates industrial action

Training and development:

  • Performance management and Human Resources coordination
  • Projects Management and re-engineering project management.
  • Manage ad hoc projects related to continuous improvements as detailed in PDP targets

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

  • Completed Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain or Commerce
  • Must have both *Making and Packaging experience
  • Must have optimization experience
  • Strong leadership and management experience of a large team who work shifts
  • Sound strategic and operational Production management experience
  • Budget and cost reduction experience
  • Expert project management experience
  • Compilation of training manuals, coordinate and facilitate training
  • Strong Industrial Relations experience, this must be in a unionized environment right through to CCMA
  • Support, guide and drive OHS and SHE regulations and standards and ensure compliance
  • Manage multiple stakeholders and numerous re-engineering projects
  • Knowledge and understanding of the following will be an advantage:
  • WCM (World Class Manufacturing)
  • High precision packaging robots

 

Skills

  • Production Planning & scheduling
  • Supply Chain Agility
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Manufacturing Technology
  • Business Acumen
  • Project Management

 

Leadership

You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.

As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.

 

Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviours

  • PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
  • PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience.
  • CONSUMER LOVE: Whatever their role, always looks for better ways to serve consumers. Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers.
  • PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.
  • AGILITY: Explores the world around them, continually learning and developing their skills.

 

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.  We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.  

We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents supporting this.

This is an factory-based role in Johannesburg and requires 100% of time attendance on site.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.

 

APPLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROCESS ENGINEER

Gauteng, South Africa

Job ID: R-1180085

Job Type: Full time

Job Category: Supply Chain

 

Job Details

APPLY

Unilever is currently hiring for PROCESS ENGINEER


Function: Supply Chain

Reports to:SUIT Manager

Scope: Local

Location: Boksburg

Terms & Conditions: Full-time


ABOUT UNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.


JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. The Process Engineer role is critical to the development of our factories to World Class Manufacturing, which means zero defects, zero waste and zero losses. You will lead Quality Improvement methods and tools to counter losses identified in the areas of Safety, Quality, Cost Deployment, Customer Service and Logistics. The Cost Deployment pillar will be populated with data built up through application of the Managing Manufacturing Performance Code, which is key to ensuring focus on key losses.


Working directly with the line crews on a daily basis, act as the technical trainer for line teams and provide coaching in phenomena identification, root cause analysis and the establishment of counter-measures. You will be responsible for the validation of all process improvements and the establishment of revised basic conditions on the line. A core deliverable is eliminating losses and wastes and increasing the stability of the line to support the transition of traditional line teams to semi-autonomous teams.


WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

  • Eliminate Waste and Loss according to the WCM prioritization process using AM, PM, FI and QC pillar tools and methodologies.
  • Create Technical and Quality Standards to ensure process stability on the line.
  • Identify and extend good practice to other lines: Application and accuracy of MMP Code data
  • Consumer and Customer Focus: Building world class factories will eliminate losses and ensure that we do not pass on the cost of inefficiencies to our customers and consumers
  • Bias for Action: By providing consistent and near real time information, decisions can be taken quickly which leverage our resources
  • Building Talent and Teams: Our vision is to move to semi-autonomous teams, passion for achieving results, transferring knowledge and skills across the team and leverage team strengths
  • Accountability and Responsibility: Drive continuous improvements.
  • Growth Mindset: Building world class factories essential to set the standards.
  • WCM: Apply the full set of WCM methods and tools.
  • Process and Organisational Design: Ensure factory lines and processes are optimally resourced (e.g. manpower ratios are efficient and sustainable)
  • Analytical capability: Collect and analyse and interpret complex data, understanding and implementation of process safety requirements for combustible dusts.


WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

  • Degree/ BTech Mechanical/ Chemical/ Industrial Engineering/ National Diploma Chemical Engineering
  • Experience from a Continuous Processing background within FMCG or Manufacturing environment will be advantageous
  • Experience in AM, PM, Quality and FI tools and processes
  • HAZOPs and Safety Approval Systems working knowledge and experience is essential
  • Able to visualize clearly what the ideal production system should be.
  • Clearly understand operating principles and establish correct operating standards
  • Experience in statistics and process control tools. Drive decision making based on data


Skills

  • Process Engineering
  • Design & Automation
  • Process Safety & Control
  • Innovation & improvement


Leadership

You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.

As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.

 

Unilever Behaviours

  • Care deeply: caring deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, everywhere; about our people’s growth and development, and our impact on the planet. You care about your performance, to a point where it hurts when you don’t win. Always brings their best self. Has emotional intelligence to take feedback, manage mood and motivations and build empathy for others. Sets high standards for themselves. Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside of Unilever.
  • Focus on what counts: we set clear and stretching goals and recognize maximum performance impact. Generates intensity and focus to motivate people to deliver results at speed.
  • Stay three steps ahead: we think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident – anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends to beat the competition. Approaches delivery with an iterative and incremental, test - do - learn approach. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
  • Deliver with excellence: we deliver everything we do with excellence and pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we said we will do. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results.

 

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.  We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.  

 

We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents supporting this.

 

This is a factory - based role in Johannesburg (Boksburg Factory) and requires 100% of time attendance on site.

 

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.

 

APPLY