Head Of Operations

HEAD OF OPERATIONS | SELECT PRODUCTS CATEGORY

Reporting to: Managing Executives

Location: Cape Town/Johannesburg/Vredenburg/Nelspruit

About the Libstar Select Products Category

The Select Products Category forms part of the Libstar Ambient Products Category, with operations as Rialto, Ambassador Foods and Cape Coastal Honey business sites, based in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Vredenburg, and White River. We are proud to be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking organization committed to innovation, sustainable growth, and a supportive, inclusive work culture.

As part of the broader Libstar team, our focus is on growing high-quality food brands and category solutions in a way that is both profitable and purpose driven. We place a strong emphasis on building trusted relationships with our customers and aspire to be South Africa’s leading producer and distributor in our categories.

The opportunity

The Head of Operations will provide strategic direction, leadership and oversight across the cluster’s manufacturing operations. The successful candidate will be accountable for building a high-performing, integrated operational function that consistently delivers on safety, quality, customer service, cost, capacity and profitability objectives.

This role requires an experienced operations leader who can operate effectively across multiple businesses and manufacturing sites, while maintaining strong accountability at Business Unit level.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement the cluster-wide operations strategy in support of the Select Products business strategy.
• Lead, support and hold Business Unit Operations leaders accountable for operational performance.
• Drive consistent operating disciplines, performance standards and governance across all Business Units.
• Deliver agreed manufacturing, service, cost, efficiency and profitability targets.
• Improve operational performance through disciplined management of OEE, yields, waste, labour, downtime, conversion costs and capacity utilisation.
• Lead continuous-improvement and operational-excellence programmes across the cluster.
• Ensure that manufacturing capacity, infrastructure and resources are aligned with current and future business requirements.
• Provide executive oversight of capital investment, plant optimisation and major operational projects.
• Partner with Commercial, Supply Chain, Technical, Finance, People and Innovation teams to support customer requirements and sustainable growth.
• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, product quality, occupational health and safety, environmental compliance and operational risk management.
• Strengthen operational capability through succession planning, talent development and the creation of high-performing leadership teams.
• Identify and manage material operational risks, escalating concerns and implementing effective corrective actions.
• Present consolidated operational performance, risks and improvement plans to the Select Products Executive Team and other governance structures.
• Support Business Units through periods of change, restructuring, growth and operational transformation.

Experience and qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Operations Management, Engineering, Production Management or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years’ senior operational leadership experience within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Significant experience leading multiple plants, sites or Business Units.
• Executive-level experience within food manufacturing or FMCG would be strongly preferred.
• A proven record of improving manufacturing performance, cost efficiency, service delivery and profitability.
• Strong experience in capital planning, operational transformation and continuous improvement.
• Sound commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to translate operational performance into business results.
• A thorough understanding of food safety, quality, health and safety, environmental and regulatory requirements.

The person we are looking for

We are seeking a credible and decisive leader who:

• Thinks strategically while maintaining a strong connection to operational realities.
• Sets clear expectations and creates accountability across diverse teams and businesses.
• Uses data and commercial insight to make sound decisions.
• Builds strong relationships and works effectively across functional and organisational boundaries.
• Remains calm, visible and solutions-focused in demanding operational environments.
• Challenges existing practices and drives sustainable improvement.
• Develops capable leaders and creates a strong performance culture.
• Demonstrates the Libstar values of being Consumer Inspired, Accountable, Agile, Performance Driven and a Champion for Good.

Application deadline:

30 September 2026. If you have not received a response within two weeks of the closing date for applications, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.

Note: To consider any application for employment, we will have to process your personal information. The Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA), provides that when one processes another’s personal information, such collection, retention, dissemination and use of that person’s personal information must be done in a lawful and transparent manner.

Select Products and Libstar are committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to suitably qualified candidates from designated groups in accordance with the applicable Employment Equity Plan