About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a leading fruit processing business within the Fruitvest group, a South African company operating large-scale fruit processing facilities in the Lowveld region. Fruitvest's operations focus on the production of citrus juice (NFC – Not From Concentrate), subtropical fruit pulps, concentrates, frozen products, citrus fruit cells, cold-pressed oils and other value-added fruit products for local and international markets.

The role requires a technically driven General Manager to lead and optimise a high-performance fruit processing facility. This is a technical-first leadership position suited to a hands-on operator capable of managing a complex processing environment focused on citrus and subtropical fruits, including puree production, concentration processes and aseptic packing operations.

The successful candidate will assume full responsibility for plant performance, production efficiency, maintenance strategy, food safety, quality standards and team leadership across a three-shift operation of up to 100 employees. A strong mechanical and operational background is essential, together with the ability to drive reliability, minimise downtime and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

The position will oversee a facility that incorporates fruit receiving, processing, extraction, concentration, packaging and aseptic production technologies, ensuring world-class operational standards while supporting the continued growth of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Optimization: Accurately assess and manage plant throughput and production yields to ensure maximum efficiency.
• Bottleneck Resolution: Proactively identify and resolve technical or process-related bottlenecks within the processing lines.
• Performance Analysis: Apply a strong mathematical and analytical mindset to monitor and improve overall operational performance.
• Quality Standards: Ensure that all products consistently meet established quality benchmarks.
• Strategic Planning: Oversee all plant administration and planning to maintain smooth daily operations.
• Procurement Management: Coordinate fruit procurement to ensure it is strictly aligned with production needs.
• Operational Execution: Manage the day-to-day execution of all facility activities with a focus on technical depth.

Requirements

• Red Seal - Millwright
• Strong mechanical knowledge is required.
• Significant experience in leading large teams and managing complex industrial operations.
•  A working understanding of cold storage and refrigeration systems (down to -25°C) is essential.
• You must be able to "get your hands dirty" and show a clear preference for being on the factory floor rather than being purely managerial.
•  Experience managing a 24-hour, three-shift operation of up to 100 personnel.
• On-site presence is essential; candidates must be willing to relocate to the Hoedspruit area if not already local.

What We Offer

• A very good competitive salary package structured according to market-related benchmarks.
• A 5-bedroom house is provided as part of the package.