Principal Industrial Engineer - Strategic Operations Planning

Placements24; Riverton (UT); Remote; USD 54,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Industrial Engineer to lead strategic operations planning in a remote-first capacity. The role focuses on developing long-term strategies to improve efficiency, scalability, and competitiveness through advanced modeling and simulation.

The ideal candidate has a PhD or Master’s in Industrial Engineering or Operations Research and 12+ years in senior-level industrial engineering roles, with strong leadership and communication skills for executive engagement.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in industrial engineering with focus on strategic planning and operations optimization at a senior level.
• Extensive experience with advanced modeling, simulation (discrete-event, agent-based), and optimization techniques.
• Proven ability to develop and implement long-term strategic plans that deliver significant business impact.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing complex projects and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Exceptional analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills for remote collaboration and executive engagement.
• Deep understanding of industry best practices in operations management and supply chain.
• Experience with digital transformation initiatives in an industrial context is a plus.
• Must be authorized to work in South Africa; remote role.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute long-term strategic plans for operational excellence across the organization.
• Lead design and optimization of complex systems including supply chains, production networks, and logistics.
• Use advanced modeling and simulation to forecast future operational requirements and identify risks.
• Conduct business case analyses for major strategic initiatives and capital investments.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align operational strategies with business objectives.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, technology adoption, and process re-engineering.
• Develop frameworks to evaluate performance and drive continuous improvement at a strategic level.
• Mentor and guide other engineers and analysts on strategic planning projects.
• Present complex strategic findings to executive leadership.
• Ensure alignment of operational plans with sustainability and efficiency goals.

Skills

Analytical skills

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Leadership

Communication

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Strategic thinking

Education

PhD or Master’s in Industrial Engineering / Operations Research

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in its sector with significant operations across South Africa, is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Principal Industrial Engineer to lead Strategic Operations Planning. This is a senior, remote-first role responsible for developing and implementing long-term strategies to enhance operational efficiency, scalability, and competitiveness across the organization. You will leverage advanced analytical techniques, simulation modeling, and strategic foresight to identify future operational needs, optimize resource allocation, and drive transformational change. The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with a proven track record in strategic planning, complex problem-solving, and leading high-impact initiatives. This role demands exceptional leadership, communication, and analytical capabilities to shape the future of our client's operations from a remote capacity.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute long-term strategic plans for operational excellence across the organization.
• Lead the design and optimization of complex operational systems, including supply chains, production networks, and logistics.
• Utilize advanced modeling and simulation techniques to forecast future operational requirements and identify potential risks.
• Conduct comprehensive business case analyses for major strategic initiatives and capital investments.
• Collaborate with senior leadership across departments to align operational strategies with overall business objectives.
• Identify and champion opportunities for innovation, technology adoption, and significant process re-engineering.
• Develop frameworks and methodologies for evaluating operational performance and driving continuous improvement at a strategic level.
• Mentor and guide other engineers and analysts involved in strategic planning projects.
• Present complex strategic recommendations and findings to executive leadership.
• Ensure alignment of operational plans with sustainability and efficiency goals.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in industrial engineering, with a significant focus on strategic planning and operations optimization at a senior level.
• Extensive experience with advanced modeling, simulation (e.g., discrete-event simulation, agent-based modeling), and optimization techniques.
• Proven ability to develop and implement long-term strategic plans that have delivered significant business impact.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing complex projects and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Exceptional analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, vital for remote collaboration and executive engagement.
• Deep understanding of various industry best practices in operations management and supply chain.
• Experience with digital transformation initiatives in an industrial context is a plus.
• Must be authorized to work in South Africa . This position is fully remote.

Benefits

Our client offers an executive-level compensation package, including a base salary of R per annum , substantial performance bonuses, and comprehensive executive benefits. As a fully remote Principal Industrial Engineer, you will enjoy unparalleled flexibility while working on strategically critical projects for a global organization. Our client is dedicated to supporting remote employees with the necessary tools, resources, and professional development opportunities to excel in their roles.