Continuous Improvement Engineer

Placements24; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonuses

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a proactive Continuous Improvement Engineer in Vereeniging (Gauteng) to lead initiatives optimizing production processes and boosting efficiency. You will drive lean implementations, Kaizen events, and SOP development, partnering with production, engineering, and management to sustain improvements.

Responsibilities include identifying waste, mapping processes, and establishing KPIs to monitor impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or Mechanical Engineering is required.
• 3+ years in a continuous improvement or process engineering role in manufacturing.
• Proven lean experience with 5S, VSM and Poka-Yoke.
• Strong data analysis, problem-solving, and process mapping skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze current processes to identify waste and bottlenecks using lean tools.
• Develop and implement optimization strategies for efficiency and waste reduction.
• Lead Kaizen events and cross-functional improvement workshops.
• Establish KPIs to track progress and report results.
• Create and update SOPs and training materials.
• Champion a continuous improvement culture across all levels in Vereeniging.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

5S

VSM

Poka-Yoke

Data analysis

Process mapping

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant player in the manufacturing sector in Vereeniging , is seeking a proactive Continuous Improvement Engineer to spearhead initiatives aimed at optimizing production processes and enhancing overall operational efficiency. You will be instrumental in identifying opportunities for improvement, implementing lean methodologies, and fostering a culture of quality and productivity throughout the plant. This hands-on role requires close collaboration with production staff, management, and engineering teams to drive sustainable changes. Your contributions will be vital to maintaining our client's competitive advantage and commitment to excellence within the Gauteng industrial hub.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze current manufacturing processes and systems to identify waste, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement using lean manufacturing tools.
• Develop and implement strategies for process optimization, waste reduction, and efficiency enhancement across production lines.
• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events and continuous improvement workshops with cross-functional teams.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the effectiveness of improvement initiatives and report on progress.
• Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training materials to ensure consistent application of best practices.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by engaging and motivating employees at all levels of the operation in Vereeniging .

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering , Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven experience (3+ years) in a continuous improvement or process engineering role, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding and practical application of lean manufacturing principles (e.g., 5S, VSM, Poka-Yoke).
• Proficiency in data analysis, problem-solving techniques, and process mapping.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to influence and drive change across different departments and levels of the organization.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for annual bonuses.
• Opportunity to lead impactful improvement projects in a key industrial region.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Support for professional development and advanced training programs.
• A collaborative work environment focused on operational excellence.