Senior Production Officer (Spinning, Preparation & Weaving, or Processing)

Job Description

Job summary
The Senior Production Officer provides operational oversight of all assigned production shifts, ensuring efficient
utilisation of labour, machines, and materials while maintaining compliance with quality, safety, and labour
standards. The role is responsible for planning, coordinating, and controlling manufacturing processes across all
shifts to achieve production targets, optimise workforce deployment, and uphold operational discipline. The
position ensures that all shifts run efficiently, safely, and in alignment with company policies, productivity goals,
and statutory labour provisions.
Key roles and responsibilities
• Shift Planning & Resource Management
– Develop and implement shift rosters and workforce deployment plans in compliance with the Kenyan
Employment Act 2007, working hours, and rest day regulations.
– Ensure optimal staffing levels across shifts to meet production demand, while controlling overtime and
labour costs.
– Coordinate shift handovers and ensure accurate communication of production priorities, targets, and
issues.
– Monitor time and attendance, leave schedules, and shift adherence to maintain workforce discipline and
fairness.
– Collaborate with Human Resources (HR) and Production Planning & Control (PPC) teams to forecast
manpower needs based on order volumes and capacity.
• Production Operations & Performance Management
– Oversee day-to-day shift operations, ensuring that production output meets set targets for volume,
quality, and timelines.
– Supervise and support Production and Maintenance Supervisors, Line leaders, and Machine Operators
to achieve efficiency and minimal downtime.
– Track production Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as efficiency, machine uptime, output variance,
and waste reduction.
– Review daily performance data and initiate corrective actions for deviations or bottlenecks.
– Ensure accurate shift documentation, including production logs, downtime reports, and incident records.
• Quality, Safety & Compliance
– Enforce strict adherence to quality standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs) across all
production lines.
– Work closely with Quality Assurance and Maintenance teams to prevent and resolve quality issues or
mechanical breakdowns.
– Ensure compliance with occupational health, safety, and environmental standards (OSHA, WIBA, and ISO
requirements).
– Promote a culture of safety awareness, including PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) use, incident
reporting, and hazard mitigation.
– Participate in safety audits, toolbox talks, and root cause investigations for any workplace incidents.
• Workforce Engagement, Training & Supervision
– Provide management, coaching, and performance feedback to shift teams, ensuring accountability and
motivation.                                                                                                                                                                           – Identify training needs and collaborate with HR to upskill Machine Operators, Supervisors, and Helpers.
– Conduct daily briefings to communicate shift objectives, performance updates, and policy reminders.
– Ensure that employee voice mechanisms (shift feedback sessions, suggestion boxes, mini “pulse”
meetings) are active and acted upon.
– Promote teamwork, discipline, and a positive work environment during all shifts.
• Operational Efficiency & Continuous Improvement
– Drive continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Lean, Kaizen, 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardise,
and Sustain) principles) to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and optimise line balancing.
– Collaborate with the PPC team to streamline workflow, minimise idle time, and improve throughput.
– Recommend process enhancements, technology upgrades, or layout changes to improve efficiency and
product flow.
– Monitor energy and resource utilisation to support cost control and sustainability initiatives.
• Reporting, Communication & Coordination
– Prepare daily shift performance reports highlighting production output, manpower utilisation,
downtime, and key incidents.
– Ensure effective coordination between shifts, maintenance, quality, and planning teams to maintain
workflow continuity.
– Report equipment faults, material shortages, or staffing gaps to the relevant departments for timely
resolution.
– Maintain accurate and auditable production records for management review and compliance purposes.
• Governance, Discipline & Compliance
– Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, inclusion, and operational excellence.
– Take proactive action to address poor performance and misconduct.
– Support enforcement of disciplinary procedures fairly and consistently across shift teams.
– Ensure all shift operations align with ethical, legal, and organisational governance principles.
– Assist in internal or external audits related to production, safety, and labour compliance.
• Compliance with Vistari’s Corporate Systems
– Apply the highest standards of internal controls and risk management practices and behaviours and
embed a positive risk and control culture.
– Demonstrate prudence, sound judgement, and appropriate and timely escalations in management of all
types of risk (including fraud risk) applicable to the role.
– Promote and adhere to Vistari’s core values and ensure compliance with organisational policies and
procedures, collective agreements, and statutory employment standards.
– Maintain zero tolerance to bribery, fraud, and corruption, and ensure the immediate reporting of any
corruption or suspect behaviour that threatens Vistari’s reputation.
– Adhere to safeguarding policies and procedures and immediately report any safeguarding concerns.
– Any other related responsibilities that may be assigned by the Line Manager from time to time.