Industrial Engineer - VKB Agri Processors (Pty) Ltd, Head Office Reitz

VKB Group; Vrystaat; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

VKB Group seeks an Industrial Engineer to improve operational performance across processing facilities by identifying opportunities to increase efficiency, reduce waste, optimise resources and support capital investment decisions.

You will collaborate with production teams, management, suppliers and project stakeholders to shape manufacturing performance, lead improvement initiatives and deliver measurable business results. This role offers growth within a leading South African agribusiness.

Qualifications

• Valid driver's licence and access to reliable transport.

Responsibilities

• Design and improve production processes to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
• Identify and evaluate improvement opportunities across processing operations.
• Manage assigned projects from planning through implementation.
• Monitor project budgets, timelines and deliverables to ensure successful outcomes.
• Prepare and distribute operational and performance reports to management.
• Conduct feasibility assessments for proposed projects and initiatives.
• Support the development and execution of short- and long-term capital expenditure plans.
• Lead and coordinate special projects within the processing environment.
• Facilitate operational impact assessments for new products and process changes.
• Conduct ergonomic and workflow reviews to improve operational effectiveness.
• Coordinate contractors and service providers involved in capital projects.
• Drive Continuous Improvement (20 Keys) implementation and performance tracking.
• Support key leaders with action plans, corrective actions and improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal departments, suppliers and stakeholders to maintain production and quality standards.
• Mentor and support employees in adopting best practices, processes and standards.

Skills

Production process analysis

Project planning

Data analysis

Advanced Excel & Office

Budget & timeline management

Operational performance monitoring

Presentation & reporting

Root cause analysis

Change & implementation

20 Keys methodology

Job description

The VKB Group is an agricultural company providing support to farmers and producing straight-from-the-farm foods for consumers. Apart from its various consumer brands, the VKB Group is also represented by its regional brands: VKB, GWK and NTK.

Our roots are firmly planted in agriculture, with farming at our core, continuously growing and evolving throughout the years. Starting with providing everything needed on the farm to produce food, we now operate across the entire food supply chain, including processing, logistics, storage, handling and national and international market channels.

This "house of brands", established with the support of our farmer shareholders, forms the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

More About VKB Agri Processors

VKB Agri Processors is the value-adding and agri-processing division of the VKB Group, transforming agricultural commodities into quality products that serve customers across South Africa. Through a strong focus on operational excellence, efficiency and innovation, the business plays a vital role in strengthening the agricultural value chain and creating sustainable growth opportunities.

As part of VKB Agri Processors, employees contribute directly to improving production performance, advancing processing capabilities and ensuring that agricultural products are converted into quality food products through world-class operational practices. This is an environment where continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making and practical problem-solving are valued and encouraged.

Why This Role Matters

The Industrial Engineer plays a critical role in improving operational performance across processing facilities by identifying opportunities to increase efficiency, reduce waste, optimise resources and support strategic capital investment decisions.

This opportunity is ideal for a technically minded professional who enjoys analysing operations, leading improvement initiatives and delivering measurable business results. Through collaboration with production teams, management, suppliers and project stakeholders, the successful candidate will help shape the future of manufacturing performance within VKB Agri Processors.

Why Join VKB?

At VKB, your work contributes to something bigger than a production process. You become part of an organisation that supports South African agriculture, creates opportunities for rural communities and strengthens the food value chain from farm to consumer.

We are committed to developing talented individuals, encouraging innovation and creating opportunities for employees to grow their expertise through meaningful projects and real business impact. You will have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, contribute to strategic initiatives and build a rewarding career within one of South Africa's leading agricultural businesses.

What Success Looks Like

• Drives continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable efficiency gains.
• Improves production processes through data-driven analysis and practical solutions.
• Coordinates capital and operational projects successfully within budget and timelines.
• Builds effective relationships across production, management and external stakeholders.
• Delivers accurate operational reporting and meaningful business insights.
• Supports the successful introduction of new products and process enhancements.
• Develops sustainable improvement plans that contribute to long-term operational excellence.
• Leads Continuous Improvement (20 Keys) activities that strengthen plant performance.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for a proactive and analytical individual who enjoys solving complex operational challenges and turning ideas into practical improvements. The ideal candidate is curious, detail-oriented and motivated by achieving measurable results.

You take ownership of your work, communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and are comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands‑on execution. You thrive in a team environment, willingly support others and continuously seek better ways of working. Most importantly, you embody the VKB values of being Humble, Hungry, Smart, Bold and playing as One Team.

Qualifications

• Valid driver's licence and access to reliable transport.

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of 1-2 year's experience in a production or manufacturing environment.
• Analytical thinking
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Project coordination
• Communication and influencing skills
• Relationship building
• Accountability and results orientation
• Team collaboration

Skills Required

• Production process analysis and optimisation
• Project planning and project coordination
• Data analysis and reporting
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office
• Budget and timeline management
• Operational performance monitoring
• Presentation and reporting skills
• Root cause analysis
• Change and implementation support
• 20 Keys methodology (advantageous)
  

Key Responsibilities

• Design and improve production processes to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
• Identify and evaluate improvement opportunities across processing operations.
• Manage assigned projects from planning through implementation.
• Monitor project budgets, timelines and deliverables to ensure successful outcomes.
• Prepare and distribute operational and performance reports to management.
• Conduct feasibility assessments for proposed projects and initiatives.
• Support the development and execution of short- and long-term capital expenditure plans.
• Lead and coordinate special projects within the processing environment.
• Facilitate operational impact assessments for new products and process changes.

Conduct ergonomic and workflow reviews to improve operational effectiveness.

Coordinate contractors and service providers involved in capital projects.

Drive Continuous Improvement (20 Keys) implementation and performance tracking.

Support key leaders with action plans, corrective actions and improvement initiatives.

Collaborate with internal departments, suppliers and stakeholders to maintain production and quality standards.

Mentor and support employees in adopting best practices, processes and standards.

Important Information for Applicants

VKB Group reserves the right to close or withdraw any vacancy at its discretion. All personal information submitted through the Career Portal will be used solely for recruitment purposes and, where applicable, for matters related to employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, VKB Group is committed to Employment Equity, transformation, and the inclusion of People with Disabilities. Our recruitment decisions are aligned with the VKB Group Employment Equity Plan and Transformation Strategy.

A Note on Honesty and Integrity

As part of the application process, you will be required to complete a screening questionnaire. We strongly encourage all candidates to answer every question honestly and accurately.

At VKB Group, our culture is rooted in the values of being Humble, Hungry, Smart, Bold, and Playing as One Team. We believe in building authentic relationships and making sound decisions based on trust and integrity. Misrepresenting qualifications, experience, competencies, criminal history, or any other information may result in your application being withdrawn or your employment being terminated should discrepancies be identified during verification processes.

We respect your time and ask that you respect ours by providing truthful information throughout the recruitment process. This helps ensure that we focus on candidates who are genuinely aligned with the requirements of the role and the values of our organisation.

About VKB Group

VKB is a South African agricultural enterprise with theunique vision to focus on alliances with industry related stakeholders. Thesealliances have developed into the dynamic utilisation of a wide range ofagricultural value chain solutions.

Producers in the areain which we conduct business, own and control the VKB Group. Our strategytherefore remains focused on keeping the company as an authentic agriculturalproducer business, which could also add value for a broader base of generalconsumers.

The VKB Groupcontinues to capitalize on its rich heritage of almost 100 years by applyingthe sound cooperative principles of the past. These principles ensure that anyassociation with the Group remains a valuable experience, not only for itsshareholders, but also for its suppliers, employees and customers.