Director – Production Operations (EMEA)

The Weir Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 2 051 000 - 2 736 000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering firm in Johannesburg is seeking a Director – Production Operations to lead and optimise manufacturing across EMEA. The ideal candidate will have over 15 years in manufacturing operations, a degree in a related field, and strong leadership capabilities. This role focuses on driving operational excellence, team development, and ensuring safe and effective production processes. Competitive benefits included.

Benefits

Health & Wellbeing initiatives

Career growth opportunities

Inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ experience in manufacturing operations, including senior leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing, maintenance, and process engineering.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management capability at a senior level.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations across EMEA facilities, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality products.
• Implement preventative and corrective maintenance strategies to maximise uptime.
• Direct regional process engineering and capital investment plans on time and within budget.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing regional team and standardise processes.
• Demonstrate commitment to zero harm behaviours for safety culture.

Skills

Manufacturing operations

Leadership

Process engineering

SAP/ERP systems

Operational reliability

Education

Degree in Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations or Business Administration

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

Director – Production Operations (EMEA)

Johannesburg

Onsite

Purpose of Role: Lead and optimise our Make & Maintain function across EMEA, driving operational excellence and continuous improvement. This role oversees all production and manufacturing operations, process engineering, maintenance, and capital projects across the region, ensuring throughput is accurate, efficient, and on time.

You’ll champion cost efficiency, quality, and customer experience while maintaining facilities for maximum uptime and delivering improvement projects on schedule and within budget.

As a key member of our ISC Enable function, you’ll support supply chain integration and enablement, including performance management, compliance, ESG, risk management, and technology adoption.

What we offer:

At Weir, we are proud to provide reward on a basis which is fair and attractive, including a competitive benefits package. Through our ‘We are Weir’ framework, we focus on the importance of our people and the contribution they make to our organisation.

• Health & Wellbeing: As a global organisation there isn’t one single solution that will enable us to take a proactive approach to our health and wellbeing. We have built a Health and Wellness framework focusing on Culture & Leadership, Safety & Environmental, Mental Wellbeing, Physical Wellbeing, Digital Wellbeing and Financial Wellbeing for different parts of the business to bring to life in a way that is most meaningful for them.

• Grow your Own Way: Everything moves fast in the dynamic world of Weir. This creates opportunities for us to take on new challenges, explore new areas, learn, progress and excel. Best of all, there is no set path that our people must go down. Instead, everyone is given the support and freedom to tailor‑make their own career and do the best work of their lives.

• Be You and Belong: Weir is a welcoming, inclusive place, where everyone's contribution is recognised and all employees are encouraged to innovate, collaborate and be themselves.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Manufacturing Excellence: Oversee day‑to‑day operations across EMEA facilities, ensuring consistent delivery of high‑quality, on‑time products while driving throughput and continuous improvement.
• Maintain Operational Reliability: Implement preventative and corrective maintenance strategies to maximise uptime, minimise disruption, and safeguard equipment effectiveness across manufacturing, assembly, and logistics.
• Optimise Processes & Capital Projects: Direct regional process engineering and capital investment plans, including equipment selection, facility design, and project delivery on time and within budget.
• Build & Harmonise Teams and Standards: Develop and mentor a high‑performing regional team, foster a culture of safety and accountability, and standardise processes to align with divisional best practices and governance frameworks.
• Safety First: Demonstrate 100% commitment to our zero harm behaviours in support of our drive towards developing a world class safety culture.

Job Knowledge/Education and Qualifications

• Degree in Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations or Business Administration (or equivalent qualification).
• 15+ years’ experience in manufacturing operations, including senior leadership roles.
• Preferred: 5+ years working with SAP/ERP systems and manufacturing/maintenance planning tools.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing, maintenance, and process engineering.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management capability at a senior level.

We are Weir!

Founded in 1871, Weir engineers solutions that improve safety, efficiency and sustainability – helping to provide the essential resources needed by a growing world. We are a global family. We are proud of our unique blend of talent, technology and culture. We are here to inspire you to do the best work of your life!

For additional information about what it’s like to work at Weir, please visit our Career Page.

Weir is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, age, or any other legally protected status.

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