Industrial Engineer - Operational Efficiency & Cost Reduction

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 64,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work arrangement

Health insurance package

Retirement fund contributions

Travel expenses covered for siteVisits

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Industrial Engineer for a primarily remote role with about 20% travel to SA operational sites. The incumbent will drive efficiency, reduce costs, and implement Lean and Six Sigma initiatives across multiple business units.

You will analyze processes, build business cases, and lead change through data-driven insights, collaborating with site teams to sustain improvements and share best practices company-wide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in industrial engineering focusing on efficiency and cost reduction.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills; proficient in data analysis tools.
• Excellent problem-solving, project management, and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Analyze operational workflows and resource utilization across business units.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, waste elimination, and efficiency improvements.
• Lead Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma projects; quantify savings.
• Develop business cases for improvements and present to senior management.
• Collaborate with site managers to implement changes and standardize best practices.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Project management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

Excel

Minitab

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a diversified industrial group with operations across South Africa, is seeking a results-oriented Industrial Engineer to drive operational efficiency and cost reduction initiatives. This role is primarily remote, allowing for flexibility while requiring occasional travel to operational sites. You will be responsible for analyzing operational processes, identifying areas of waste and inefficiency, and implementing solutions that enhance productivity and profitability. The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of lean methodologies, and a proven ability to lead change within complex organizations. Your contributions will directly impact the bottom line by optimizing resource utilization and streamlining workflows. This is an excellent opportunity to leverage your expertise in industrial engineering to make a tangible impact across various business units, working remotely with our client's operations based near Queenstown, Eastern Cape.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze operational workflows, production processes, and resource utilization across various business units.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, waste elimination, and efficiency improvements.
• Develop and implement lean manufacturing and Six Sigma projects.
• Utilize data analysis and modeling to quantify potential savings and operational gains.
• Create and present business cases for improvement initiatives to senior management.
• Collaborate with site managers and operational teams to implement recommended changes.
• Develop and standardize operational best practices across the organization.
• Monitor the performance of implemented solutions and ensure sustained improvements.
• Provide training and guidance to operational staff on efficiency methodologies.
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices in operational excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial engineering, focusing on operational efficiency and cost reduction.
• Proven experience in leading lean and Six Sigma projects (Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred).
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Minitab).
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
• Strong project management and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects effectively in a remote setting.
• Willingness to travel to operational sites as required (estimated 20% travel).
• Experience in diverse industrial sectors is a plus.
• Proficiency in creating clear and persuasive reports and presentations.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-based incentives.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexibility.
• Comprehensive health insurance package.
• Retirement fund contributions.
• Generous paid time off (PTO).
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• Company-provided laptop and necessary software.
• Exposure to a wide range of industrial operations.
• Travel expenses covered for site visits.