Senior Industrial Engineer - Quality & Efficiency

Placements24; Queenstown (MD); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive salary

Medical & retirement benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Industrial Engineer to drive quality and efficiency improvements in a manufacturing setting in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. You will lead Lean and Six Sigma initiatives, analyze production data, and develop SOPs to optimize processes, ergonomics, and safety.

The role blends strategic oversight with hands-on problem-solving, requiring 6+ years in industrial engineering, ISO 9001 and SPC expertise, and strong leadership. Hybrid on-site with flexible analytics tasks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 6+ years experience in industrial engineering with focus on quality improvement and process optimization.
• Strong knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies with practical applications.
• Ability to analyze complex data and translate findings into improvements.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and SPC practices; project management and leadership skills.
• Experience with MS Office and ERP/MES systems; cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead initiatives to improve production efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product quality.
• Apply Lean and Six Sigma to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Analyze production data to establish trends and drive data-based decisions.
• Develop SOPs and work instructions to ensure consistency and quality.
• Collaborate with QC, production, and engineering to meet standards.
• Optimize factory layouts and workflows for safety and ergonomics.
• Support new product development with process design and validation.
• Train and mentor junior engineers and production staff.
• Manage process-improvement projects from conception to completion.
• Stay current with IE and quality management advancements.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Data analysis

ISO 9001

SPC

ERP/MES

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MS Office

ERP/MES systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent manufacturer of agricultural equipment, is seeking a Senior Industrial Engineer with a strong focus on Quality and Efficiency to join their team in **Queenstown, Eastern Cape**. This role is integral to driving continuous improvement initiatives, optimizing production processes, and ensuring the highest standards of product quality. The successful candidate will play a key role in enhancing operational performance and contributing to the company's reputation for excellence within the **Eastern Cape** manufacturing sector. This position offers a blend of strategic oversight and hands‑on problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and implement initiatives to improve production efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product quality across manufacturing operations.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to identify root causes of defects and inefficiencies and implement corrective actions.
• Analyze production data to establish trends, monitor performance, and drive data-based decision‑making.
• Develop and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and work instructions to ensure consistency and quality.
• Collaborate with quality control, production, and engineering teams to ensure compliance with quality standards and specifications.
• Optimize factory layouts and workflows for improved material handling, ergonomics, and safety.
• Support new product development by contributing to process design and validation.
• Train and mentor junior engineers and production staff on quality and efficiency best practices.
• Manage projects related to process improvement and quality enhancement from conception to completion.
• Stay current with advancements in industrial engineering and quality management techniques.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in industrial engineering, with a significant focus on quality improvement and process optimization in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong expertise in Lean Manufacturing principles and tools (e.g., Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen) and Six Sigma (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred).
• Proven ability to analyze complex data sets and translate findings into actionable improvements.
• Excellent understanding of quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001) and statistical process control (SPC).
• Strong project management and leadership skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in relevant software, including MS Office Suite and potentially ERP/MES systems.
• Experience in the agricultural equipment or heavy manufacturing sector is advantageous.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary of ** R per annum**, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, performance-based incentives, and opportunities for professional growth and development.
• This **hybrid** role allows for effective on‑site engagement in **Queenstown** while offering flexibility for remote work on specific analytical or planning tasks, supporting a productive work‑life balance.