Production Manager - Dates Production

About Us

Ever since we planted our first palm tree in 2010, Yousef Abdul Latif and Sons Agriculture Ltd. (YALA) had one mission: to provide the world with the highest quality, organically grown dates and date products.

Two hundred seventy thousand (270,000) palm trees later, we haven’t lost track of this goal.

Today, our expansive operations cover over two thousand six hundred (2,600) hectares of green farms in the cities of Al Qassim and Al Madinah across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We cultivate a wide selection of organic dates such as Safawi, Mejdool, Sagai, Anbarah, Khalas, Sukkari, Ajwa, Khudri and Mabroom.

Our team of dedicated farmers employs organic farming techniques with state-of-the-art agriculture technology to honour our promise and accompany each date from when they plant it to when it makes it into your hands. As we grew, we have incorporated bio-organic intelligence across all our production lines, securing full organic certifications for all our farms.

About the role:

• Oversee Production Operations: Manage all aspects of dates production, including harvesting, sorting, grading, processing, and packaging, ensuring optimal efficiency and quality.
• Ensure Product Quality: Implement and monitor quality control procedures to maintain high standards in product appearance, taste, and shelf life.
• Team Supervision: Lead and supervise production teams, providing training and support to enhance productivity and maintain safety standards.
• Production Planning: Develop and execute production schedules to meet customer demand and minimize waste.
• Equipment Maintenance: Coordinate maintenance and repair of production equipment to ensure smooth operations and minimize downtime.
• Compliance and Safety: Ensure all production processes comply with food safety, hygiene, and industry regulations.
• Inventory Management: Oversee raw materials and finished goods inventory, ensuring adequate stock levels and proper storage conditions.
• Process Optimization: Identify opportunities for cost-saving and process improvement to enhance overall operational efficiency.
• Supplier and Vendor Coordination: Liaise with suppliers to procure high-quality raw materials and packaging, ensuring timely deliveries.
• Reporting and Documentation: Maintain accurate records of production metrics, quality reports, and safety checks for audit and review purposes.

Requirements:

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Food Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; relevant certifications are a plus.
• Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in food production management, preferably within dates or similar agricultural/food products.
• Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with food processing equipment, production scheduling, and quality control systems.
• Regulatory Expertise: Strong knowledge of food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, ISO 22000) and compliance with industry regulations.
• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to manage, motivate, and lead production teams to achieve performance targets.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical and decision-making abilities to troubleshoot production issues and improve processes.
• Time Management: Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced production environment.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for coordinating with teams, suppliers, and senior management.
• Physical Stamina: Capability to work in production environments that may involve extended hours and physical activities.
• Technological Proficiency: Competence in using production management software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Flexibility: Willingness to adapt to seasonal production demands and work on-site in agricultural environments.