Factory Manager

JenRecruitment; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 850,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

JenRecruitment in Cape Town is seeking a mature, hands-on Factory Manager with a strong mechanical/technical background to lead a busy production facility. The role supervises 20–25 semi-skilled staff, ensures production targets, quality standards and workplace discipline are maintained, and takes ownership of factory operations with a firm but fair management style.

You will oversee safety procedures, document production processes, report to the owner, and drive continuous improvement in

Qualifications

• Minimum requirement: Fitter & Turner qualification or equivalent mechanical/technical background.
• Strong practical experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Proven experience managing and leading factory personnel.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to command respect while building a positive team environment.
• Ability to work independently and take full ownership of responsibilities.
• Valid Code 08 / Class B driver’s license.
• Clear criminal record.
• Valid South African residency is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the daily running of the factory.
• Open and close the factory as required.
• Oversee production workflow and ensure operational targets are achieved efficiently.
• Work Saturdays only when operationally required.
• Manage, motivate and lead a team of 20–25 semi-skilled employees.
• Take responsibility for attendance, time-keeping and workplace discipline.
• Identify and troubleshoot mechanical and operational issues.
• Maintain a safe, disciplined and well-organised factory floor.
• Ensure production paperwork, job cards and related documentation are completed accurately.
• Maintain clear and transparent communication with the company owner regarding production, progress and challenges.
• Monitor production quality and attention to detail.

Skills

Mechanical troubleshooting

Team leadership

Operational discipline

Documentation accuracy

Education

Fitter & Turner qualification

Job description

Factory Manager position available in Cape Town.

We are looking for a mature, highly accountable and hands‑on Factory Manager with a strong mechanical/technical background and the confidence to take charge of a busy factory environment.

The successful candidate will manage a team of approximately 20–25 semi‑skilled employees, ensuring production targets, quality standards, workplace discipline and operational procedures are consistently maintained.

This is a hands‑on leadership role suited to someone who is organized, firm but fair, technically capable and comfortable taking ownership of factory operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Factory Operations
  • Take overall responsibility for the daily running of the factory
  • Open and close the factory as required
  • Oversee production workflow and ensure operational targets are achieved efficiently
  • Work Saturdays only when operationally required
• Staff Management & Discipline
  • Manage, motivate and lead a team of 20–25 semi‑skilled employees
  • Take responsibility for attendance, time‑keeping and workplace discipline
  • Build a productive team environment while maintaining firm operational standards
• Technical & Process Compliance
  • Ensure employees consistently follow written technical, operational and safety procedures
  • Identify and troubleshoot mechanical and operational issues
  • Maintain a safe, disciplined and well‑organised factory floor
• Administration & Reporting
  • Ensure production paperwork, job cards and related documentation are completed accurately
  • Ensure documentation is submitted to the Accounts Department time‑ously
  • Maintain clear and transparent communication with the company owner regarding production, progress and challenges
• Quality Control
  • Monitor production quality and attention to detail
  • Ensure completed work meets the company’s required quality standards before leaving the factory

Minimum Requirements:

• Fitter & Turner qualification or equivalent mechanical/technical background
• Strong practical experience in a manufacturing or production environment
• Proven experience managing and leading factory personnel
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and problem‑solving ability
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to command respect while building a positive team environment
• Ability to work independently and take full ownership of responsibilities
• Valid Code 08 / Class B driver’s license
• Clear criminal record
• Valid South African residency is mandatory

Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate will be:

• Mature, responsible and highly dependable
• Hands‑on and technically minded
• Firm, fair and confident in managing people
• Highly organised and task‑oriented
• Comfortable making decisions independently
• Able to maintain discipline and enforce procedures
• A strong problem‑solver
• Detail‑oriented and quality-conscious
• Comfortable reporting directly to the company owner

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced technical professional looking to take full ownership of a factory operation and make a measurable impact on production, people and performance.