Industrial Lean Manufacturing Specialist

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Holidays

Lean training

Career growth

Wellness program

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein, South Africa seeks an Industrial Lean Manufacturing Specialist to drive hands-on lean implementations on-site across the plant.

You will identify waste, streamline processes, develop 5S, Kaizen, and VSM, train staff, and collaborate with engineering and production to embed lean thinking into daily operations and new product introductions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Business.
• Minimum 4 years of lean manufacturing experience in industrial settings.
• Lean/Six Sigma certification desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and sustain lean initiatives across the plant.
• Identify waste and implement continuous improvements.
• Develop and deploy 5S, Kaizen, VSM, Kanban, and Poka-Yoke tools.
• Train staff and mentor teams on lean principles.
• Monitor KPIs and drive process standardization.
• Collaborate with engineering and production during new introductions.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Training & mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Business

Tools

5S

Kaizen

Value Stream Mapping

Kanban

Poka-Yoke

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic industrial manufacturer, is looking for a dedicated Industrial Lean Manufacturing Specialist to join their team in **Bloemfontein, Free State**. This role is critical in driving the implementation and continuous improvement of lean manufacturing principles across all operational areas. The Specialist will be responsible for identifying waste, streamlining processes, and fostering a culture of efficiency and operational excellence. You will work closely with production teams, management, and other departments to ensure the successful application of lean tools and methodologies. This is an on-site position focused on hands-on implementation and process improvement within the **Bloemfontein** facility. The ideal candidate is passionate about lean principles and has a proven ability to achieve tangible results in a manufacturing environment. This is a significant opportunity to contribute to the operational success of a growing company.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and sustainment of lean manufacturing initiatives across the plant.
• Identify and eliminate waste (muda) in all forms within production and support processes.
• Develop and deploy lean tools such as 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Kanban, and Poka-Yoke.
• Conduct process analysis and implement improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and throughput.
• Train and mentor employees at all levels on lean principles and problem-solving techniques.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and continuous improvement workshops.
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to lean initiatives.
• Support the development of standard work procedures and visual management systems.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to integrate lean principles into new product introductions and process changes.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement in lean practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in applying lean manufacturing principles in an industrial setting.
• Demonstrated experience in leading successful lean implementation projects.
• Proficiency with various lean tools and methodologies (5S, Kaizen, VSM, etc.).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and training skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Experience in data analysis and KPI tracking.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and operations.
• Certification in Lean or Six Sigma is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary.
• Performance-based incentive program.
• Health insurance coverage.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Training and development opportunities focused on lean methodologies.
• Opportunities for career growth within the company.
• A positive and collaborative work environment in **Bloemfontein**.
• Exposure to diverse manufacturing processes.
• Employee wellness programs.