Factory Manager

University of Fort Hare; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution is seeking an experienced Factory Manager to lead a dynamic manufacturing facility in Cape Town. The ideal candidate will have 8–10 years of senior management experience in manufacturing, overseeing daily operations and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Responsibilities include managing large teams, ensuring compliance with regulations, and refining production processes. If you are a solution-focused leader with strong numerical and planning skills, we encourage you to apply.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of senior management experience in manufacturing.
• 5–8 years' experience in a factory or CMT production environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing systems and resource management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations to meet quality, delivery, and efficiency goals.
• Implement and refine production processes for optimal performance.
• Drive initiatives for continuous improvement using manufacturing systems.

Skills

Leadership

Team Management

Conflict Management

Analytical Skills

Planning

Education

National Diploma in Clothing Manufacturing or equivalent

Tools

Excel

FastReact

Sewing Network

LECTRA

Sage

Job description

Monthly Cost To Company (Market related)

Are you a dynamic and experienced Factory Manager ready to take on a pivotal leadership role in a high-performance manufacturing environment? We are seeking a motivated individual with a proven track record in factory operations to join our senior management team and lead a world-class production facility. In this role, you’ll be responsible for the full scope of factory operations, from daily production management to strategic planning and continuous improvement. You’ll lead large teams, drive innovation, and ensure compliance with health, safety, and regulatory standards while delivering high-quality products on time and within budget.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all daily operations of the factory to meet quality, delivery, and efficiency goals.
• Implement and refine production processes, policies, and procedures for optimal performance.
• Lead cost estimation and ensure production remains within financial targets.
• Manage resources across facilities, equipment, and staff to support sustainable growth.
• Ensure compliance with OHSA, labour laws, and Bargaining Council regulations.
• Drive initiatives for continuous improvement using LEAN, Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen, or similar systems.
• Maintain and improve the quality assurance process and output standards.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a workforce of 100+ team members.
• Monitor performance, conduct training needs assessments, and plan for succession.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and operational excellence.

Requirements:

• National Diploma in Clothing Manufacturing, B.Tech Industrial Engineering, BSc Textile/Polymer, or similar qualification.
• 8–10 years of senior management experience in manufacturing.
• 5–8 years' experience in a factory or CMT production environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing systems, planning, productivity, and resource management.
• Proficient in production and planning systems (e.g., Excel, FastReact, Sewing Network, LECTRA, Sage).
• Experienced in working with unionized environments and understanding labour legislation.
• Exceptional leadership, organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage conflict, motivate teams, and deliver results under pressure.

What We’re Looking For:

• A solution-focused leader who inspires trust and motivates people.
• A hands‑on manager with strong numerical, planning, and reporting capabilities.
• A professional with a balanced approach to people and processes.
• A proactive, optimistic leader with a track record in building high-performance teams.

Please note that only suitable candidates will be contacted.