Job Description: Production Manager (Stainless Steel Fabrication & Manufacturing)
Position Overview:
The Production Manager oversees the end-to-end manufacturing, fabrication, and assembly of high-grade stainless steel products. This role requires maximizing operational efficiency, minimizing material scrap, and maintaining flawless surface finish and weld integrity.
Operating within the South African heavy manufacturing sector, the successful candidate ensures strict compliance with the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) main agreement, maintaining labor harmony, managing shift allocations, and driving continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities & Scope:
1. Production Planning & Scheduling:
- Organize and execute daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules based on ERP outputs and project deadlines.
- Allocate floor resources (human capital, machinery, and raw materials) to meet variable client contracts.
- Manage machine capacity and reduce changeover times between different material gauges or product runs.
2. Stainless Steel Technical Oversight:
- Supervise processing specific to stainless steel, including laser cutting, CNC bending, TIG/MIG welding, pickling and passivating, and polishing.
- Prevent cross-contamination between carbon steel and stainless steel on the shop floor.
- Enforce proper handling and storage techniques to avoid surface scoring and structural imperfections.
3. Labor & MEIBC Relations:
- Manage shop-floor workers, artisans, and operators in strict compliance with MEIBC regulations regarding grading, hours of work, overtime limitations, and shift allowances.
- Liaise with shop stewards and handle first-line disciplinary steps and grievance procedures according to the MEIBC Main Agreement.
- Coordinate skill development and trade test routing for apprentices and lower-grade workers.
4. Quality Assurance & H&S Compliance:
- Uphold ISO 9001:2015 quality standards, ensuring all products pass stringent weld and surface inspections on the first attempt.
- Maintain a safe working environment under the OHS Act, emphasizing the correct usage of PPE during hazardous processes like chemical pickling or heavy grinding.