Industrial Engineer - Lean Manufacturing and Waste Reduction

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 450,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in East London, Eastern Cape is seeking an experienced Industrial Engineer to lead lean manufacturing initiatives and drive waste reduction across production lines. You will optimize processes, perform value stream mapping, and champion Kaizen events to deliver measurable efficiency gains and cost savings on site.

You will collaborate with production, engineering and quality teams, mentor staff, and establish KPIs to sustain improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial engineering, with a strong emphasis on Lean Manufacturing and waste reduction.
• Demonstrated expertise in applying Lean tools such as VSM, 5S, Kaizen, Poka-Yoke, and Kanban.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and implementing waste reduction projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and drive action.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and training skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and engage with all levels of the organization.
• Experience in a manufacturing setting is essential.

Responsibilities

• Implement and champion Lean Manufacturing principles and tools across all production areas.
• Conduct Value Stream Mapping (VSM) exercises to identify waste and opportunities for process optimization.
• Lead Kaizen events and other continuous improvement initiatives to drive rapid process enhancements.
• Develop and implement strategies for waste reduction, focusing on improving efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Analyze production data to identify root causes of waste and inefficiencies, and implement effective solutions.
• Collaborate with production, engineering, and quality teams to ensure successful implementation and sustainability of lean practices.
• Train and mentor employees at all levels on lean principles and waste reduction techniques.
• Establish and monitor KPIs related to waste reduction and process efficiency.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and employee involvement in problem-solving.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

VSM

5S

Kaizen

Poka-Yoke

Kanban

Waste reduction

Data analysis

Training

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

SAP

Excel

Minitab

Job description

About the Role Our client, a dynamic manufacturing company based in **East London, Eastern Cape**, is looking for an experienced Industrial Engineer to lead their lean manufacturing and waste reduction initiatives. This on-site role is focused on optimizing production processes, eliminating inefficiencies, and cultivating a culture of continuous improvement. You will be instrumental in identifying and implementing strategies to reduce waste in all its forms (e.g., overproduction, waiting, transport, inventory, motion, over-processing, defects), thereby enhancing overall operational performance and profitability. This is a key position for driving tangible improvements in **East London**.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement and champion Lean Manufacturing principles and tools across all production areas.
• Conduct Value Stream Mapping (VSM) exercises to identify waste and opportunities for process optimization.
• Lead Kaizen events and other continuous improvement initiatives to drive rapid process enhancements.
• Develop and implement strategies for waste reduction, focusing on improving efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Analyze production data to identify root causes of waste and inefficiencies, and implement effective solutions.
• Collaborate with production, engineering, and quality teams to ensure successful implementation and sustainability of lean practices.
• Train and mentor employees at all levels on lean principles and waste reduction techniques.
• Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to waste reduction and process efficiency.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and employee involvement in problem-solving.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial engineering, with a strong emphasis on Lean Manufacturing and waste reduction.
• Demonstrated expertise in applying Lean tools such as VSM, 5S, Kaizen, Poka-Yoke, and Kanban.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and implementing waste reduction projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and drive action.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and training skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and engage with all levels of the organization.
• Experience in a manufacturing setting is essential.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, and opportunities for professional development and certification in Lean methodologies. This role provides a significant opportunity to contribute to operational excellence within a well-established company in **East London, Eastern Cape**. Our client is committed to creating a productive and supportive work environment.