Dreaming big is in our DNA. It’s who we are as a company. It’s our culture. It’s our heritage. And more than ever, it’s our future. A future where we’re always looking forward. Always serving up new ways to meet life’s moments. A future where we keep dreaming bigger. We look for people with passion, talent, and curiosity, and provide them with the teammates, resources and opportunities to unleash their full potential. The power we create together – when we combine your strengths with ours – is unstoppable. Are you ready to join a team that dreams as big as you do?

The Key Purpose of this role is to lead the Strategic Business Unit in the execution of the malt production plan in order to meet production volume, quality, and performance efficiency targets. This role ensures prolonged equipment life and increased uptime through the application of VPO tools such as autonomous maintenance and problem solving to prevent accelerated wear and tear. The role further ensures the effective execution of logistics activities, including barley and malt storage, inter-silo movement, malt loading, and dispatch, in support of production and business objectives.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

Production Optimisation & Execution

• Lead the execution of the production plan across all shifts to meet volume, quality, and efficiency targets.
• Coordinate autonomous maintenance, cleaning, and inspection activities across all production equipment.
• Monitor and optimise production processes to achieve high throughput and best-in-class product quality.
• Prepare, communicate, and update production plans and plant availability schedules.
• Support production teams to improve process quality, productivity, and yield, including reduction of losses such as spillages and process inefficiencies.

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Apply structured problem-solving and decision-making techniques, including QFRs, 5 Whys, AB Reports, ITF, and PDCA methodologies.
• Ensure completion of root cause analyses and corrective actions for shift-related issues.
• Coach and develop production staff in effective problem-solving practices.
• Facilitate team-based problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives.

People Leadership & Team Performance

• Facilitate effective team dynamics through the use of autonomous teams.
• Implement performance management processes and conduct regular one-on-one engagements.
• Develop and coach front-line teams to improve operational execution and capability.
• Contribute to individual and team development through structured coaching and feedback.
• Ensure effective communication across teams and shifts, including structured shift handovers.

Human Resources & Industrial Relations

• Develop employees using structured development tools such as SKAP and Workday training programs.
• Ensure a healthy industrial relations climate within the production department.
• Manage and apply personnel practices in line with company policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with conditions of employment and people management standards.

Health, Safety, Environment & Risk Management

• Implement and enforce safety, health, and environmental legislation, standards, and procedures.
• Maintain safety, housekeeping, and risk-free working environments across production areas.
• Ensure availability and appropriate use of personal protective equipment by all production staff.
• Conduct safety inspections and ensure identification and reporting of unsafe conditions and practices.
• Ensure staff medical compliance and adherence to safety policies.

Logistics & Operational Support

• Execute malt loading and dispatch activities in line with the approved logistics plan.
• Manage barley and malt storage activities in accordance with storage plans and quality requirements.
• Support logistics performance through coordination of inter-silo movement and dispatch execution.

Administration, Governance & Financial Control

• Ensure application of administration systems, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Administer conditions of employment and support personnel administration processes.
• Prepare, manage, and control departmental budgets.
• Ensure adherence to VPO standards, routines, and governance requirements, including SOPs, KPI & PI trees, OWS, PAWS, and routine compliance.

Key Attributes & Competencies:

• Strong problem-solving and analytical capability.
• High attention to detail and ability to follow through.
• Proactive, energetic, and results-driven mindset.
• Strong leadership and coaching capability.
• Ability to work effectively in a matrix and team-based environment.
• Strong conceptual thinking and system aptitude.
• Customer-focused with a strong service ethic.
• Deadline-driven with the ability to manage operational pressure.
• Ability to learn new systems and technologies quickly.
• Demonstrated experience in driving commercial decisions in production across financial, operational, and people dimensions.
• Proven team leadership capability with experience developing and coaching front-line teams.
• Strong analytical ability with a demonstrated track record of converting data into actionable business insights.
• Superior performance track record with a disciplined work ethic and passion for maintaining quality.
• Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills with the ability to engage at multiple organisational levels.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering.
• At least 2 years of fast-moving consumer goods production experience.
• 2 to 3 years’ experience in the brewing or malting industry or a related field at middle management level. (Desirable)
• Completion of brewing or malting traineeship with relevant certification. (Desirable)

Additional Information

• Band: VII

ABInBev is an equal opportunity employer, and all appointments will be made in-line with ABInBev employment equity plan and talent requirements. We are a company that promotes gender equality. Internal applicants require Line manager approval. Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.