Continuous Improvement Lead

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional growth opportunities

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a highly motivated Continuous Improvement Lead to drive lean manufacturing initiatives at the Mahikeng facility in North West. The role blends on-site leadership in Mahikeng with strategic remote planning to sustain operational excellence and efficiency.

The ideal candidate will have 7+ years in CI/lean engineering, strong facilitation skills, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred. Hybrid work setup enables on-site collaboration and data-driven planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, or industrial engineering, with a proven track record of leading initiatives.
• Lean Six Sigma expertise (Black Belt certification highly preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events, Lean workshops, and CI projects across departments.
• Develop strategies to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and enhance productivity using Lean Six Sigma.
• Conduct process analyses, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), and root cause investigations to identify opportunities.
• Develop and deploy standard work procedures and best practices for consistency.
• Train and coach employees on CI tools and principles across levels.
• Monitor KPIs related to efficiency, cost savings, and quality.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to sustain improvement initiatives.
• Champion adoption of new technologies and methodologies supporting CI goals.
• Report progress, outcomes, and challenges of CI projects to senior management.
• Ensure CI initiatives align with company strategic objectives.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Change management

Project leadership

Data analysis

Facilitation & training

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Operations Management degree

Business Administration degree

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in industrial solutions, is seeking a highly motivated Continuous Improvement Lead to spearhead operational excellence initiatives at their facility in Mahikeng, North West . This critical role involves driving the adoption and sustainment of lean manufacturing principles, optimizing workflows, and fostering a culture of ongoing improvement throughout the organization. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of process optimization techniques, and a passion for driving change. This position offers a Hybrid work model, blending essential on-site engagement in Mahikeng with strategic remote planning and analysis, providing both flexibility and impactful collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events, Lean workshops, and continuous improvement projects across various departments.


• Develop and implement strategies to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and enhance productivity using Lean Six Sigma methodologies.


• Conduct process analyses, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), and root cause investigations to identify improvement opportunities.


• Develop and deploy standard work procedures and best practices to ensure consistency and operational excellence.


• Train and coach employees at all levels on CI tools and principles, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.


• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to operational efficiency, cost savings, and quality.


• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement and sustain improvement initiatives.


• Champion the adoption of new technologies and methodologies that support CI goals.


• Report on progress, outcomes, and challenges of CI projects to senior management.


• Ensure that all CI initiatives align with the company's strategic objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.


• A minimum of 7 years of experience in continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, or industrial engineering, with a proven track record of leading successful initiatives.


• Expertise in Lean Six Sigma methodologies (Black Belt certification highly preferred).


• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.


• Excellent facilitation, training, and communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.


• Experience leading change management efforts and building high-performing teams.


• Ability to work effectively in a Hybrid environment, requiring regular on-site presence in Mahikeng, North West .


• Proficiency in data analysis tools and process mapping software.


• A proactive and results-oriented mindset.


• Leadership experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting is essential.

Benefits

• An excellent annual salary up to R .


• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.


• Significant opportunities for professional growth and advanced certifications.


• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.


• Exposure to cutting-edge operational improvement strategies.


• A dynamic and collaborative work culture in Mahikeng .


• The flexibility of a Hybrid work arrangement.


• Play a key role in shaping the future of operational efficiency.