Head of Manufacturing & Production

The Key Recruitment Group; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Systems Engineering Company in Parow, Cape Town is seeking a Head of Manufacturing & Production to lead and optimise all fabrication, machining, assembly and finishing operations. The role focuses on translating sales requirements into practical production plans while balancing capacity, labour, machinery and lead times.

The candidate will drive productivity, reduce waste and ensure strict quality standards while collaborating with Engineering, Sales, Procurement and Logistics to maintain a

Qualifications

• Must have tertiary qualification (N5 minimum).
• Experienced in senior production, manufacturing or factory management.
• Strong background in manufacturing and metal fabrication environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and overall management of manufacturing and production operations, including fabrication, machining, assembly and finishing.
• Develop, manage and improve production planning and scheduling to meet targets and deadlines.
• Translate sales requirements into realistic production plans considering capacity, labour, machinery, materials and lead times.
• Monitor production progress against schedules, identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement to increase productivity, reduce waste, and optimise processes.
• Ensure outputs meet quality standards and identify opportunities for quality improvement.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Sales, Procurement and Logistics for effective planning.
• Ensure resources are available to support the production schedule.
• Oversee manufacturing processes and maintain procedures and controls.
• Lead and mentor factory managers and production teams with clear accountability.
• Promote communication, teamwork, and employee engagement across manufacturing.

Skills

Senior leadership

Production planning

ERP systems

Metal fabrication

Education

N5 minimum

Tools

ERP software

Job description

Head of Manufacturing & Production

An established Air Systems Engineering Company, specialising in large turnkey projects, is seeking a Head of Manufacturing & Production to join their dynamic team based in Parow, Cape Town.

Qualifications and Experience Required:

Tertiary qualification (N5 minimum)

Proven experience in a senior production, manufacturing or factory management role.

Strong experience in manufacturing and metal fabrication environments.

Proven experience in production planning, scheduling and capacity management.

Experience managing complex production environments with multiple projects, competing priorities and deadlines.

Experience with production management systems, ERP systems or manufacturing software will be advantageous.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and overall management of manufacturing and production operations, including fabrication, machining, assembly and finishing.

• Develop, manage and continuously improve production planning and scheduling to ensure work is prioritised effectively and production targets and customer deadlines are achieved.

• Translate sales requirements into realistic production plans, considering capacity, labour, machinery, materials and lead times.

• Monitor production progress against schedules, identify bottlenecks and delays, and implement corrective action to keep production on track.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives aimed at increasing productivity, improving efficiencies, reducing waste and optimising manufacturing processes.

• Ensure manufacturing processes and outputs meet required quality standards and identify opportunities for ongoing quality improvement.

• Work closely with Engineering, Sales, Procurement and Logistics to ensure effective planning and seamless operational flow.

• Ensure appropriate materials, drawings, labour, machinery and other resources are available to support the production schedule.

• Oversee manufacturing processes and ensure that operational procedures, policies and controls are implemented and maintained.

• Lead, develop and mentor factory managers, supervisors, artisans and production teams, ensuring clear accountability and performance standards.

• Promote effective communication, teamwork, employee engagement and accountability throughout the manufacturing environment.

• Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements and actively promote a strong safety culture.

• Take ownership of production related challenges and provide timely, practical and commercially sound solutions.