Industrial Automation Project Lead — On-Site Richards Bay

Placements24; Richards Bay; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with annual bonus

Medical aid and retirement fund

On-site role in Richards Bay

Career development and training

PPE and safety equipment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Project Manager to oversee industrial automation and process-improvement initiatives in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. You will drive projects from concept through to handover, coordinating with engineering, production and maintenance teams on site.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong manufacturing process knowledge, and experience with PLC/SCADA/HMI systems. PMP is a plus and a commitment to safety and quality is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years' experience in project management within industrial/manufacturing settings.
• Proven experience in automation, robotics, or process control projects.
• Knowledge of PLC, SCADA, HMI, and other automation technologies.
• Familiar with MS Project or Primavera.
• PMP certification is a strong asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and closure of industrial automation projects.
• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in line with business needs.
• Develop detailed project plans, schedules, resource allocation, and budgets.
• Manage cross-functional teams including engineers, technicians, and contractors.
• Oversee selection, procurement, and implementation of automation hardware/software.
• Ensure projects are on time, within budget, and meet quality standards.
• Manage risks, issues, and changes with mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate with production, maintenance, and quality teams for integration.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and industry standards.
• Provide regular status reports and document lessons learned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Project Manager to oversee industrial automation and process-improvement initiatives in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. You will drive projects from concept through to handover, coordinating with engineering, production and maintenance teams on site.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong manufacturing process knowledge, and experience with PLC/SCADA/HMI systems. PMP is a plus and a commitment to safety and quality is essential.