Freezing Operations Management

–        Plan, coordinate, and monitor daily blast freezing operations.

–        Ensures correct product loading on freezing trays and racks.

–        Supervise product transfer between fresh storage, freezing and storage areas.

–        Ensures to maximize freezing output per day efficiently.

–        Freezer loss to be maintained within set target.

–        Liase with commercial planning team and processing manager and align on the daily, weekly and monthly frozen stock volume requirements.

–        Ensures that all SKUs are produced as per target volumes within the set standards,

–        Monitors blast freezer performance and ensure preventative and corrective maintenance are performed timely

–        Ensures that fresh stock is inspected before push-in and flags potential quality issues to processing manager.

–        Ensures freezer(s) are packed quickly and efficiently with minimal time available for drip and energy wastage

–        Ensures freezer cycles are arranged accordingly to not need pack out or loading at the same time and ensure a constant and efficient flow of work

–        Ensures packaged/packed out stock is immediately and continuously moved and packed appropriately in the storage units one pallet at a time so that quality is not compromised

–        Ensures packing of boxes is done quickly and accurately.

–        Generate daily, weekly and monthly freezing performance reports (freezing cycles, downtime, freezer loss, etc.

–        Ensure all packaging material required for pack-out is drawn appropriately and on time

–        Ensure stock levels of packaging material is monitored and orders are made well ahead of time to prevent shortage.

–        Align effectively with Further Processing and Primary Processing team on SKUs and quantities planned to be reserved for freezing to ensure efficient operations of the blast freezer.

Team Management

–        Responsible for supervising and training Freezing Supervisor and Attendants.

–        Ensures all direct reports have up to date, signed job descriptions.

–        Conducts regular team meetings to review performance, address improvement areas, and align on future targets.

–        Sets performance objectives and carries out routine reviews in line with company performance management guidelines.

–        Works with HR to identify skills gaps and implement appropriate training and development interventions.

–        Oversees effective attendance management, leave planning, and disciplinary processes.

–        Ensures 100% compliance with PPE requirements across all teams.

–        Leads process efficiency improvements and optimisation initiatives.

–        Oversees quarterly policy and SOP training sessions, ensuring proper documentation of all sessions.

–        Manages manpower effectively, efficient shift scheduling, keeping overtime costs below 2%.

Health, Safety & Environmental Management

–        Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental (HSE) legislation, regulations, codes of practice, and Yalelo’s Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) standards.

–        Maintain up-to-date knowledge of workplace health and safety matters relevant to operations, ensuring hazards are identified, eliminated, or minimised, and risks controlled as far as reasonably practicable.

–        Ensure all plant, equipment, substances, and structures are safe for use, and that workers are adequately trained and supervised to mitigate workplace risks.

–        Bachelor’s degree in food science, Production Management, Engineering, or a related field.

–        All academic qualifications must be certified by ZAQA

–        Must be an active member of the relevant professional body

–        Full Grade 12 Certificate

–        Additional training or certification in cold chain management, HACCP, or ISO standards is an advantage.

–        At least 3 years’ experience in production, processing, or cold chain operations within the food or FMCG sector.

–        Proven track record of managing blast freezing operations or large-scale cold storage facilities.

–        Demonstrated success in managing teams in a fast-paced production environment.

–        Experience in implementing performance management, efficiency improvements, and compliance initiatives.

Trainin