BBF Safety Group is inviting suitably qualified candidates to apply for four Production Learner vacancies at its Port Elizabeth plant. The opportunity is aimed at candidates who have a Grade 12/Matric qualification and relevant experience in a production environment or stores-related work.

The successful candidates will report to the Senior Production Supervisor and will be responsible for supporting various production activities while ensuring that manufacturing procedures, quality standards, workplace safety requirements and daily production targets are followed.

The closing date for applications is 15 September 2026.

Vacancy Details

Position: Production Learner
Number of Vacancies: 4
Location: Port Elizabeth
Closing Date: 15 September 2026

BBF Safety Group Production Learner Vacancies

BBF Safety Group operates in the manufacturing industry, where attention to detail, product quality, safety and adherence to production procedures are important. Production Learners appointed to the Port Elizabeth plant may be required to perform different duties across the production process.

The role requires candidates who can work carefully and consistently while following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Successful candidates will also need to identify and report defects, maintain a clean working environment and contribute towards achieving daily production targets.

The advertised vacancies are for four Production Learners.

Job Purpose

The main purpose of the Production Learner position is to ensure that assigned work is completed correctly and that Standard Operating Procedures are followed in full.

The Production Learner may perform duties in different areas of the manufacturing process. Each production function has specific quality and operational requirements that must be followed to ensure that finished shoes and boots meet the required standards before being sent to the next stage or to quality control.

Attention to detail is therefore an important part of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Production Learners may be required to perform duties in several production functions, depending on operational requirements.

Repairer

The Repairer is responsible for ensuring that defective or poor-quality shoes and boots do not proceed to the quality department.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring that defective or poor-quality shoes and boots are identified before being sent to quality.
• Using the correct crayon or paste for the relevant shoe or boot.
• Following the required production and quality procedures.

Trimmer

The Trimmer is responsible for removing excess material from the upper of the shoe or boot.

Duties include:

• Ensuring that knives are at the correct temperature before removing excess SPU.
• Removing all excess SPU from the upper.
• Checking that tickets correspond with the number of shoes on the trolley.

Accuracy is particularly important because incorrect quantities or ticket information can affect production records and workflow.

Dome Attacher

The Dome Attacher is responsible for attaching the correct components to shoes and boots.

Duties include:

• Wiping the dome area with solvent before placing the magic wood.
• Ensuring that the correct dome is placed on the relevant shoes or boots.
• Following the prescribed production process and quality requirements.

Sock Inserter

The Sock Inserter ensures that the correct socks are placed inside shoes or boots.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring that the correct socks are inserted into the shoes or boots.
• Checking that the shoe or boot size corresponds with the sock size.
• Maintaining accuracy throughout the production process.

Edge Stain and Iron

Employees working in this function may be responsible for finishing the raw edges of uppers and preparing leather counters.

Duties include:

• Staining raw edges on uppers.
• Ironing backers onto leather counters.
• Following the required quality standards for the finished product.

Lacing

The Lacing function requires careful checking of the laces used on shoes and boots.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring that the correct lacing is used.
• Checking that the correct colour is used for the relevant shoe or boot.
• Ensuring that the correct lace sizes are used.

Dresser

The Dresser is responsible for applying the appropriate dressing to shoes and boots.

Duties include:

• Ensuring that the correct dressings are placed on shoes and boots.
• Using the correct colour of dressing.
• Ensuring that the correct number of uppers is placed on the trolley for dressing.
• Ensuring that tickets are booked correctly for dressing.

Upper Cleaner

The Upper Cleaner is responsible for preparing the upper for quality inspection.

Responsibilities include:

• Removing excess glue from uppers.
• Removing markings from uppers.
• Ensuring that a clean and properly finished upper is sent to quality.

Top Spray

The Top Spray function involves applying spray to shoes and boots to achieve the required finishing.

The successful candidate must:

• Spray shoes and boots correctly.
• Ensure that the finished product meets the required quality standards.
• Follow the applicable production and safety procedures.

Boxer

The Boxer is responsible for packing completed shoes and boots.

Duties include:

• Ensuring that quality shoes and boots are packed into boxes.
• Checking that the correct sizes are packed.
• Ensuring that the correct colour boxes are used.

Accuracy is essential when packing products because incorrect sizes or packaging can result in product errors.

Box Maker

The Box Maker prepares boxes for production and packaging.

Responsibilities include:

• Making and stamping boxes correctly according to the line number.
• Ensuring that the correct date is stamped on the boxes.
• Inserting the correct pamphlets into boxes.
• Checking packaging information before boxes are used.

Box Labeler

The Box Labeler is responsible for ensuring that boxes are correctly labelled and recorded.

Duties include:

• Making and labelling boxes correctly.
• Ensuring that the ticket corresponds with the label.
• Ensuring that the correct number of boxes is placed in the carton.
• Scanning tickets correctly into the warehouse system.

Cementing

The Cementing function involves preparing and attaching toe caps to uppers.

Responsibilities include:

• Cementing and fitting toe caps after receiving them from the Force Laster.
• Applying cement to toe caps using a brush.
• Fitting the toe caps to the uppers according to the required procedure.

General Responsibilities

In addition to the specific duties assigned to each production function, Production Learners will be expected to perform general workplace responsibilities.

These include:

• Reporting all faults, rejects and defects to the Supervisor.
• Practising good housekeeping at all times.
• Keeping the workplace neat, tidy and clean.
• Following workplace health and safety requirements.
• Working towards achieving daily production targets.
• Following Standard Operating Procedures.
• Undertaking other duties assigned by the Supervisor from time to time.

Candidates should understand that the position involves working in a production environment where quality, safety, productivity and accuracy are important.

Qualification Requirements

Applicants interested in the BBF Safety Group Production Learner vacancies must meet the stated minimum qualification requirement.

Grade 12 / Matric

The minimum educational requirement is:

• Grade 12 / Matric

Candidates should ensure that the qualification information included in the application is accurate and supported by the required documentation if requested.

Experience Requirements

BBF Safety Group states that candidates must have worked in a production environment in a similar position or have stores-related experience.

Previous exposure to manufacturing, production, warehousing or stores operations can therefore be relevant to the position.

Candidates with experience in environments where accuracy, stock handling, production targets, quality control, packaging or workplace safety are important may find the role suitable, provided all other requirements are met.

Health and Safety Requirements

Health and safety forms an important part of the Production Learner role.

Successful candidates will be expected to:

• Adhere to applicable Health and Safety regulations.
• Wear protective clothing where necessary.
• Follow workplace safety procedures.
• Maintain a clean and safe working area.
• Report faults, defects and unsafe conditions to the relevant Supervisor.

Candidates should be comfortable working in an environment where safety rules and protective equipment requirements must be followed.

Competencies

Applicants should have an understanding of manufacturing quality standards.

BBF Safety Group also indicates that Advanced Excel is an added advantage. Advanced Excel is not listed as the minimum qualification requirement, but candidates with strong Excel skills may have an advantage.

Other useful attributes for the role include attention to detail, accuracy, reliability, the ability to follow instructions and the ability to work towards production targets.

Location

The Production Learner vacancies are based at the BBF Safety Group Port Elizabeth plant.

Candidates should take the work location into consideration before applying and ensure that they can reasonably report to the plant if selected.

How to Apply

Candidates who meet the requirements should submit an application to Shannen Japtha or apply via email using:

Email: [email protected]

The application must include:

• A CV
• Completed application form

Applicants should ensure that the CV clearly reflects their educational qualifications and relevant production or stores experience.

It is also advisable to check that contact details are correct and that the application contains all information requested by the employer before submission.

Closing Date

The closing date for the BBF Safety Group Production Learner vacancies is: 15 September 2026

Applications should be submitted before the closing date. Candidates are encouraged not to wait until the final day to submit their applications, as incomplete applications or applications submitted after the closing date may not be considered.

Who Should Apply?

The opportunity may be suitable for candidates who have completed Grade 12/Matric and have previous experience in a production environment, a similar position or stores-related work.

Candidates interested in manufacturing and production work may benefit from this opportunity, particularly those who are comfortable following detailed procedures and working in a target-driven environment.

The role requires careful attention to product quality. Tasks can include repairing products, trimming, attaching components, inserting socks, lacing, dressing, cleaning uppers, spraying, boxing, labelling and cementing. Employees may therefore be expected to work across different production activities depending on operational requirements.

Important Application Information

Before submitting an application, candidates should make sure that the CV is up to date and clearly presents relevant experience. Production, manufacturing, warehouse or stores experience should be described accurately, including the type of duties performed.

The application should also demonstrate an understanding of workplace safety and quality requirements where applicable.

The four Production Learner positions provide an opportunity for suitably qualified candidates to gain or continue building experience within a manufacturing environment at the BBF Safety Group Port Elizabeth plant.

Candidates who meet the minimum requirements are encouraged to submit their applications before 15 September 2026.