Hybrid IE Manager: Lead Operational Excellence

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive pay

Premium health insurance

Retirement plan

Generous leave

Career development

Hybrid work

Durban hub

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Industrial Engineering Manager to lead operational excellence at a Durban facility. You will manage a team of industrial engineers, drive process optimization, and advance Lean/Six Sigma initiatives to deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, and cost.

You will oversee production layouts, budgets, and capital projects while collaborating with senior leadership. A hybrid work arrangement supports site leadership with remote capability.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or related field.
• Bachelor's degree with extensive relevant experience.
• 10+ years progressive experience in industrial engineering, incl. 3–5 years in a leadership role.
• Expertise in Lean and Six Sigma initiatives; Black Belt preferred.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, planning, and supply chain.
• Proven ability to develop and mentor engineering teams.
• Excellent project management and cross-disciplinary leadership.

Responsibilities

• Oversee strategic direction of the industrial engineering department.
• Develop plans for process optimization, waste reduction, and productivity across lines.
• Lead and mentor engineers, set performance goals.
• Design and implement new layouts, workflows, and equipment.
• Set KPIs for efficiency, throughput, quality, cost.
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma and CI across the plant.
• Collaborate with senior management to align strategies.
• Manage capital expenditure projects for upgrades.
• Ensure safety, environmental, quality standards.
• Conduct performance reviews and provide feedback.
• Facilitate root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Develop and manage departmental budget.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Project Management

Leadership

Data Analysis

Education

Master's degree in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor's degree (with extensive relevant experience)

Tools

Simulation software

CAD

Data analysis tools

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Industrial Engineering Manager to lead operational excellence at a Durban facility. You will manage a team of industrial engineers, drive process optimization, and advance Lean/Six Sigma initiatives to deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, and cost.

You will oversee production layouts, budgets, and capital projects while collaborating with senior leadership. A hybrid work arrangement supports site leadership with remote capability.