Industrial Engineering Manager - Factory Operations

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

About the Role

Our client, a renowned leader in the consumer goods manufacturing sector, is looking for an experienced Industrial Engineering Manager to lead their operational excellence initiatives at their facility in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This leadership role is crucial for driving continuous improvement, optimizing production processes, and ensuring the highest standards of efficiency and quality. You will manage a team of industrial engineers, providing guidance, mentorship, and strategic direction. The position involves a hybrid work arrangement, combining essential on-site leadership with the flexibility of remote work. We seek a candidate with a strong background in lean manufacturing, robust project management skills, and a proven ability to foster a culture of innovation and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will have a strategic vision for manufacturing operations and the ability to translate it into actionable plans that deliver measurable results in a key South African economic center.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the daily operations and strategic direction of the industrial engineering department.
• Develop and implement comprehensive plans for process optimization, waste reduction, and productivity enhancement across all manufacturing lines.
• Lead and mentor a team of industrial engineers, setting performance goals and fostering professional development.
• Direct the design and implementation of new production layouts, workflows, and equipment installations.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for manufacturing efficiency, throughput, quality, and cost.
• Drive the adoption of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies throughout the plant.
• Collaborate with senior management to align engineering strategies with overall business objectives.
• Manage capital expenditure projects related to facility upgrades and equipment modernization.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members.
• Facilitate root cause analysis for production issues and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and manage the departmental budget effectively.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or a related field.
• A Bachelor's degree with extensive relevant experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in industrial engineering, with at least 3-5 years in a management or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading large-scale continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma Black Belt highly preferred).
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production planning, and supply chain principles.
• Proven ability to manage and develop engineering teams.
• Excellent project management skills with experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Proficiency in simulation software, CAD, and data analysis tools.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing departmental budgets.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Benefits

• Executive-level salary and comprehensive bonus structure.
• Premium health insurance coverage including family benefits.
• Generous retirement fund contributions.
• Extensive paid vacation and leave entitlements.
• Significant investment in employee training and career advancement.
• Flexible hybrid work arrangement.
• Opportunity to lead operations in a major industrial hub.
• Collaborative and growth-oriented company culture in Durban.