Industrial Engineer - Lean and Continuous Improvement Lead

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive salary package

Medical aid and retirement plan

Life insurance

Professional growth and lean/Six Sigma

Remote work flexibility

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Lean and Continuous Improvement Lead to drive operational excellence in our Sandton-based manufacturing group. You will champion lean methodologies, guiding teams to higher productivity, quality and efficiency while shaping the culture of continuous improvement.

You will lead VSM and Kaizen events, coach staff, and establish KPIs to sustain gains. The role offers remote work flexibility within a dynamic, results-driven environment and strong career growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Business Admin, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement programs.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification; Master Black Belt is a plus.
• Proven Kaizen leadership and significant operational improvements.
• Strong knowledge of lean tools (5S, VSM, JIT, Kanban).
• Excellent facilitation, coaching, and training skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and ability to influence change.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive lean manufacturing strategies.
• Lead value stream mapping events to identify and eliminate non-value-added activities.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and continuous improvement workshops.
• Coach and mentor employees on lean principles and problem-solving techniques.
• Establish and track KPIs for continuous improvement.
• Drive 5S, standardization, visual management, and Poka-Yoke.
• Analyze process data to identify opportunities for waste reduction and efficiency gains.
• Support the implementation of new technologies and process improvements.
• Develop and deliver training programs on lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement.
• Ensure improvements are sustained and integrated into daily operations.
• Report on progress to senior management.

Skills

Facilitation

Coaching

Training

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

Data analysis tools

Lean Six Sigma tools

Job description

About the Role

A progressive manufacturing group with operations in Sandton, Gauteng , is seeking an experienced Lean and Continuous Improvement Lead to drive a culture of operational excellence. This role is responsible for championing lean methodologies across the organization, identifying waste, and implementing sustainable improvement initiatives. The successful candidate will be a hands-on facilitator and coach, guiding teams to achieve higher levels of productivity, quality, and efficiency. This is a strategic position for a dedicated professional committed to fostering a mindset of constant improvement and innovation within a results-driven environment. You will play a key part in shaping the operational future of the company.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive lean manufacturing strategies and programs.
• Lead value stream mapping (VSM) events to identify and eliminate non-value-added activities.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and continuous improvement workshops across different departments.
• Coach and mentor employees at all levels on lean principles and problem-solving techniques.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for continuous improvement efforts.
• Drive initiatives related to 5S, standardization, visual management, and Poka-Yoke.
• Analyze process data to identify opportunities for waste reduction and efficiency gains.
• Support the implementation of new technologies and process improvements.
• Develop and deliver training programs on lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement.
• Ensure that implemented improvements are sustained and integrated into daily operations.
• Report on progress and outcomes of improvement initiatives to senior management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in implementing lean manufacturing and continuous improvement programs.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification is required; Master Black Belt is a plus.
• Proven track record of successfully leading Kaizen events and driving significant operational improvements.
• Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing tools and methodologies (e.g., 5S, VSM, JIT, Kanban).
• Excellent facilitation, coaching, and training skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence change.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools.
• Experience in a manufacturing or service environment.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of operational excellence.

Benefits

• Our client offers an attractive salary package, with additional incentives tied to performance and project success.
• Comprehensive medical aid, a retirement savings plan, and life insurance are provided.
• Excellent opportunities for professional growth and development, including advanced lean and Six Sigma training, are available.
• This role, based in Sandton, Gauteng , offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment with the flexibility of remote work arrangements.
• Employees enjoy generous annual leave and access to wellness resources.