Continuous Improvement Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible remote work arrangement

Leadership development opportunities

Bonuses and incentives

Annual leave and PTO

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Continuous Improvement Lead for our client in Rustenburg, South Africa. The role focuses on driving lean manufacturing excellence, Six Sigma projects, and data-driven process optimization across operations. Remote-first with occasional travel to sites.

Ideal candidates hold a Master's in Industrial Engineering with 8+ years in CI, Black/Master Black Belt, and strong leadership and facilitation skills to influence stakeholders at all levels.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years progressive experience in industrial engineering and continuous improvement roles.
• Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification in Six Sigma is essential.
• Experience implementing lean manufacturing tools (Kaizen, 5S, VSM, TPM).
• Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional improvement projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of the continuous improvement strategy.
• Champion lean and Six Sigma across operations.
• Identify optimization opportunities via data analysis, value stream mapping, root cause analysis.
• Design and implement improvement projects with sustained results.
• Facilitate workshops and training on CI tools and techniques.
• Develop and monitor KPIs for CI initiatives.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, and supply chain to drive change.
• Mentor teams working on improvement projects.
• Stay updated on industry best practices and new tech in process improvement.
• Ensure successful implementation and integration of new processes and systems.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Data analysis

Leadership

Communication

Facilitation

Cross-functional

ERP familiarity

Education

Master's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

MES familiarity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in mining equipment manufacturing, is seeking an innovative and driven Continuous Improvement Lead to join their expanding operations in Rustenburg, North West. This role is critical for spearheading initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, streamline processes, and foster a culture of ongoing improvement across the organization. The ideal candidate will leverage their deep understanding of industrial engineering principles to identify and implement best practices, driving significant value and competitive advantage. This position offers an exceptional career opportunity within a company committed to technological advancement and sustainable practices. We are looking for a strategic thinker with a proven track record in implementing successful lean manufacturing and Six Sigma projects. The ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and drive change effectively will be key to success. This is a remote-first position, allowing for flexibility while requiring occasional travel to operational sites as needed to collaborate with teams and oversee project implementation. The focus will be on driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the company's continuous improvement strategy.
• Champion lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies across all operational departments.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization through data analysis, value stream mapping, and root cause analysis.
• Design and implement improvement projects, ensuring successful adoption and sustained results.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions on continuous improvement tools and techniques.
• Develop and monitor KPIs to track the effectiveness of improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including operations, engineering, and supply chain, to drive change.
• Mentor and coach team members involved in improvement projects.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices and emerging technologies in process improvement.
• Ensure the successful implementation and integration of new processes and systems.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in industrial engineering and continuous improvement roles.
• Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification in Six Sigma is essential.
• Extensive experience in implementing lean manufacturing tools (e.g., Kaizen, 5S, VSM, TPM).
• Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional improvement projects and achieve significant results.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in statistical analysis and data visualization tools.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Experience working in a remote or hybrid environment is preferred.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and manufacturing execution systems (MES).
• Must be eligible to work in South Africa and willing to undertake occasional travel to Rustenburg and other company sites.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive salary package.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement savings plan.
• Significant opportunities for leadership development and career progression.
• Performance-driven bonuses and incentives.
• Flexible remote work arrangement.
• Annual leave and paid time off.