Permanent - Manufacturing Executive - Ekurhuleni (East Rand) - South Africa

REPORTING TO THE MANAGING DIRECTOR

JOB PURPOSE:

To lead and optimise the end-to-end manufacturing and operational performance of the business, ensuring world-class standards in safety, quality, cost, delivery, and people capability. The role is accountable for driving sustainable profitability, operational excellence, and strategic execution across all manufacturing functions.

JOB FUNCTION:

Business Performance:

Drive profitability through operational effectiveness and cost control. Own and manage full operational Gross Profit margin. Ensure that the region’s Divisions achieve plans that are optimised for a product mix that ensures delivery as promised while achieving on budget invoicing

Compliance/Risk Management:

Sound corporate governance and adherence to principles of internationally accepted environmental, health and quality standards. Ensures manufacturing operations comply with relevant legislative, quality, environmental, safety, and corporate governance requirements while proactively identifying and mitigating operational risks.

Continuous Improvement:

Lead the evaluation, design, and implementation of Industry 4.0, automation, digital manufacturing, and data-driven technologies that enhance productivity, quality, visibility, and decision-making. Implement and sustains Lean Manufacturing (MDW), and other continuous improvement methodologies to reduce waste, improve productivity, and optimise operational performance. Drive productivity improvements and waste reduction.

Customer and Delivery Excellence:

Oversee the implementation of operational policies and procedures to ensure that products that comply to the required quality specifications are delivered. Drive an end-to-end operational mind-set that begins upon receipt of the customer order and ends on successful delivery to the customer.

Leadership and Strategic Management:

Through collaboration with the senior leadership team, develop and execute the Operations Functional strategy aligned to business goals. Provide visionary leadership to the operations function, setting clear objectives and strategies to achieve company goals.

Operational Leadership:

Lead all manufacturing operations to deliver on safety, quality, cost, and customer satisfaction targets as they relate to reliably delivering on time. Ensure optimal manufacturing performance, capacity utilisation, and throughput. Drive implementation of best-in-class manufacturing practices.

People Leadership:

Plan, select, and develop manpower capabilities while ensuring compliance with company HR and disciplinary policies. Develop and implement a strategy to meet (EE) and (BBB-EE) targets through recruitment, training, and development. Live and promote the company’s values and culture in all actions and decisions. Ensure that the practices aimed at developing competencies that instill the company culture are practiced by all in the operations functional area, especially convened spaces where employees gather.

SHEQ Management:

Ensure compliance with occupational health, safety and environmental laws, including Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), guidelines and other industry standards.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Collaborate with supply chain, commercial, finance, HR and other enabling and supporting functions. Represent operations in executive decision-making forums. Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including internal stakeholders, the company’s international and regional companies, global partners, clients, suppliers and industry partners.

QUALIFICATION & REQUIREMENTS:

At least 8-10 years in senior leadership roles with extensive experience (15 years+) in manufacturing leadership and proven success leading overseeing multiple plants (8 Plants) and/or production lines simultaneously, and large capacity staff compliment i.e. 800+

The key expectations for this position include:

• Providing strategic leadership and overall management of manufacturing operations to achieve production, quality, safety, and cost objectives.
• Developing and implementing manufacturing plans, budgets, and resource allocation strategies aligned with business goals.
• Leading, coaching, and developing management teams while collaborating with other departments to support business growth, customer satisfaction, and profitability.

Hands on experience in plastics or polymer-based manufacturing is preferred.

Demonstrated success in implementing and running lean manufacturing operational principles, Mission Directed Work Teams is preferred, and driving productivity and cost effectiveness.

Advanced Diploma (BTech equivalent or higher) in Mechanical, Industrial, or Chemical Engineering is a minimum requirement.

Mechanical Engineering qualification will be a distinct advantage.

Postgraduate qualification is advantageous (MBA / Eng Mgt).

Aligning performance for success, builds strategic working relationships, continuous learning, customer focused, developing others, facilitates change, leads through vision, values and strategic decision making. Applies advanced manufacturing expertise.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (MS Word, Excel and Outlook)