Further Processing Plant Manager at Interchick | November 2025
Production & Operations
- Plan and manage daily production schedules to meet customer orders and deadlines.
- Ensure efficient utilization of processing equipment (injectors, tumblers, forming lines, smoking/cooking ovens, slicers, grinders, portioning lines).
- Monitor yield performance and implement corrective actions to minimize losses.
- Collaborate with Planning and Sales to align production capacity and demand forecasts.
Product Development & R&D
- Lead development of new poultry value-added products (marinated, smoked, breaded, formed, cooked, ready-to-eat).
- Conduct trials for new recipes, processes, spices, ingredients, packaging formats.
- Optimize existing recipes to improve yield, shelf life, quality, cost, and consistency.
- Work closely with QA and Sales to understand market trends, customer feedback, and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee technical documentation—specifications, process flows, ingredient declarations, allergen statements, nutritional information.
- Validate new equipment, technologies, or processes related to new product introduction.
- Plan and execute pilot trials for new products on the production line.
- Coordinate product roll-out teams (QA, Production, Sales, Procurement) for a smooth rollout.
- Set production parameters, yields, cooking curves, marination percentages, and process controls for new products.
- Conduct sensory evaluations and refine formulations on new prototypes and commercial batches.
- Ensure scale-up from pilot to commercial production is efficient and cost-effective.
People Management
- Supervise production supervisors, machine operators, and R&D technicians.
- Develop training programs on hygiene, safety, new technologies, and new product procedures.
- Handle performance reviews and manage staff discipline, attendance, and competency development.
Cost & Efficiency
- Control usage of raw materials, ingredients, spices, and packaging to minimize wastage.
- Monitor KPIs such as yield, throughput, labour efficiency, OEE, and cost per kg produced.
- Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Kaizen, root-cause analysis).
Equipment & Maintenance
- Work with Maintenance to schedule preventive maintenance and ensure equipment reliability.
- Troubleshoot breakdowns and support maintenance teams to reduce downtime.
- Recommend new equipment or upgrades to support product innovation and increased capacity.
Compliance & Reporting
- Ensure adherence to health and safety regulations.
- Prepare daily/weekly/monthly production and development reports.
- Maintain updated documentation for audits, certification bodies, and export requirements.
- Support customer visits, regulatory inspections, and certification renewals.
- Qualification, Experience and Competencies
- Degree/Diploma in Food Science, Meat Science, Food Technology, Production Management, or related field.
- Strong understanding of marination, injection technology, tumbling, forming, smoking/cooking processes, freezing, and packaging.
- 5+ years hands-on experience with R&D, formulation, and pilot/industrial trials.
- Familiarity with HACCP, FSSC, GMP, and food safety standards.
- Strong project management, leadership, and analytical/problem-solving skills.
Key Skills & Attributes
- Creative and technical mindset for product innovation.
- Strong communication and cross-functional coordination capability.
- Ability to balance quality, cost, and operational feasibility.
- Strong attention to detail and understanding of market trends.
- Data-driven approach, with strong sensory analysis and yield optimization skills.
Send your CV & Cover letter to: employment@interchick.co.tz
DEADLINE: 20TH NOVEMBER 2025