Industrial Engineer - Plant Operations & Efficiency

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 27,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical aid and retirement benefits

Paid annual leave

Professional development and training

Growth into leadership roles

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting an Industrial Engineer for a Welkom, South Africa plant to optimize operations and drive efficiency. The role blends hands-on plant work with on-site and remote flexibility, focused on reducing waste, improving quality, and sustaining high standards.

The ideal candidate will apply Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, lead improvement projects, and collaborate with operators to implement practical, measurable gains in productivity and safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in industrial engineering in manufacturing or plant operations.
• Strong Lean Manufacturing knowledge (5S, Kaizen, VSM).
• Experience with Six Sigma and SPC.
• Proficiency in data analysis/visualization tools (Excel, Minitab).
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze manufacturing processes and data to identify efficiency, throughput, and cost improvements.
• Develop and implement Lean/Six Sigma process improvements.
• Conduct capacity planning and resource allocation studies to optimize output.
• Design improvements to material handling, workflow, and plant layout.
• Monitor KPIs and report trends in production, quality, and efficiency.
• Collaborate with supervision and operators to troubleshoot and implement solutions.
• Develop and maintain SOPs for production processes.
• Lead cross-functional process improvement teams.
• Ensure safety and environmental compliance within the plant.
• Evaluate equipment upgrades or new technologies to boost performance.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Value Stream Mapping

SPC

Data analysis (Excel, Minitab)

Problem solving

Effective communication

Capacity planning

Production scheduling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

Excel

Minitab

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key industrial manufacturer based in Welkom , is seeking to appoint a dedicated Industrial Engineer to optimize plant operations and drive efficiency improvements. This role involves hands-on involvement in the day-to-day operations of the plant, with a blend of on-site and remote work flexibility. You will be responsible for analyzing production processes, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing robust solutions to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve product quality. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in maintaining and elevating operational standards within a demanding production environment in the Free State . This position requires a practical approach, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with operational teams to achieve tangible results.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze manufacturing processes and operational data to identify areas for improvement in efficiency, throughput, and cost reduction.
• Develop and implement process improvements using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Conduct capacity planning and resource allocation studies to optimize plant output.
• Design and implement improvements to material handling, workflow, and plant layout.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to production, quality, and efficiency, and report on trends.
• Collaborate with production supervisors and line operators to troubleshoot operational problems and implement sustainable solutions.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all production processes.
• Lead cross-functional teams on process improvement projects.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and environmental standards within the plant.
• Evaluate and recommend equipment upgrades or new technologies to enhance operational performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in industrial engineering within a manufacturing or plant operations setting.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and tools (e.g., 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping).
• Experience with Six Sigma methodologies and statistical process control (SPC).
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Minitab).
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with operational staff.
• Experience in capacity planning and production scheduling is beneficial.
• Familiarity with safety and environmental regulations in industrial settings.
• Ability to balance strategic analysis with practical, on-the-ground implementation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package, reflecting your expertise and contribution.
• Company-provided medical aid and retirement benefits.
• Paid annual leave and holiday leave.
• Opportunities for professional development and on-the-job training.
• Exposure to diverse operational challenges and problem-solving scenarios.
• A stable and supportive working environment within a reputable company.
• Potential for growth into leadership roles within operations.