Junior Industrial Engineer - Plant Operations

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Structured training and mentorship

Career growth opportunities

Paid annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a motivated Junior Industrial Engineer for their Tembisa, Gauteng facility. This entry‑level role suits new graduates or engineers with 1–2 years of experience aiming to gain hands‑on exposure in a fast‑paced production environment.

You will support senior staff in optimizing workflows, reducing waste, and implementing process improvements while developing essential engineering skills on the shop floor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 0-2 years in industrial engineering or manufacturing support.
• Basic knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and tools (5S, Kaizen).
• Familiarity with data analysis and process mapping.
• Proficiency in Excel and MS Office.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Eagerness to learn in a plant environment.
• Basic statistical methods are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist senior engineers in analyzing production data to identify inefficiencies.
• Support implementation of process improvements and lean techniques on the shop floor.
• Participate in time and motion studies to optimize workflow and workstation design.
• Help develop and maintain work instructions and SOPs.
• Conduct data collection and basic analysis for improvement projects.
• Support KPI tracking and reporting related to production output and efficiency.
• Collaborate with supervisors and operators to understand challenges and implement solutions.
• Contribute to plant layout design and material flow analysis.
• Ensure safety protocols and quality standards are followed on the production floor.
• Assist in inventory management and material handling initiatives.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

Excel

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a motivated Junior Industrial Engineer to join their manufacturing facility in **Tembisa, Gauteng**. This is an excellent entry‑level opportunity for a recent graduate or an engineer with 1-2 years of experience to gain hands‑on experience in a fast‑paced production environment. The Junior Industrial Engineer will support senior engineering staff in optimizing production workflows, improving operational efficiency, and implementing process improvements. The role is focused on supporting the day‑to‑day operations and contributing to projects aimed at enhancing productivity and reducing waste. We are looking for an individual with a strong desire to learn and grow within the field of industrial engineering, possessing a keen eye for detail and a problem‑solving mindset.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist senior engineers in analyzing production data and identifying inefficiencies in manufacturing processes.
• Support the implementation of process improvements and lean manufacturing techniques on the shop floor.
• Participate in time and motion studies to optimize workflow and workstation design.
• Help in the development and maintenance of work instructions and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Conduct data collection and preliminary analysis for process improvement projects.
• Assist in the tracking and reporting of key performance indicators (KPIs) related to production output and efficiency.
• Collaborate with production supervisors and operators to understand challenges and implement solutions.
• Participate in plant layout design and material flow analysis.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and quality standards within the production area.
• Support inventory management and material handling optimization initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 0-2 years of experience in an industrial engineering or manufacturing support role.
• Basic understanding of lean manufacturing principles and tools (e.g., 5S, Kaizen).
• Familiarity with data analysis and process mapping techniques.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team.
• Eagerness to learn and adapt to new challenges in a plant environment.
• Knowledge of basic statistical methods is a plus.
• Must be able to work full‑time onsite at our **Tembisa, Gauteng** facility.

Benefits

• Competitive entry‑level salary and potential for performance‑based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid and provident fund contributions.
• Structured training and mentorship program designed for career growth.
• Opportunity to work with experienced professionals in the manufacturing sector.
• Exposure to a wide range of industrial engineering applications.
• Company‑provided safety equipment and work attire.
• Paid annual leave and sick leave benefits.
• A supportive team environment focused on collaboration and skill development.