LEAD Associate

Avery Dennison; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Avery Dennison invites applications for the LEAD Associate, Operations program in Cape Town. This two-year accelerated growth program emphasizes leadership and career development through on-the-job training, rotations, stretch projects, and mentorship.

Starting with two-week onboarding and ongoing guidance from managers and a senior mentor, you will build technical and leadership capabilities across core Operations and later cross-functional areas such as Supply Chain, Marketing, or Sales.

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Automation, or Production Engineering.
• Open to new graduates or those with up to two years of professional history.
• Fluency in English and the local language (both oral and written) is essential.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills and relationship-building abilities.
• Basic knowledge of essential generative AI and digital tools is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Begin with rotations through core Operations sub-functions, including Engineering, Production, and Process.
• Rotate into cross-functional areas such as Supply Chain, Marketing, or Sales.
• Rotations each last 2 to 6 months depending on project scope.
• A dedicated manager will provide guidance in each rotation.
• A senior mentor will support your career development and navigate the organization.
• Develop technical, functional, and leadership skills within Operations.

Skills

English fluency

Local language fluency

Communication skills

Analytical problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Mechanical/ Chemical/ Electrical/ Automation/ Production Engineering

Tools

Generative AI basics

Job description

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science and digital identification solutions company. We are Making Possible™ products and solutions that help advance the industries we serve, providing branding and information solutions that optimize labor and supply chain efficiency, reduce waste, advance sustainability, circularity and transparency, and better connect brands and consumers. We design and develop labeling and functional materials, radio-frequency identification (RFID) inlays and tags, software applications that connect the physical and digital, and offerings that enhance branded packaging and carry or display information that improves the customer experience. Serving industries worldwide — including home and personal care, apparel, general retail, e-commerce, logistics, food and grocery, pharmaceuticals and automotive — we employ approximately 35,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Our reported sales in 2024 were $8.8 billion. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.

AVERY DENNISON IS PROUD TO BE CERTIFIED GREAT PLACE TO WORK IN AUSTRALIA, CHINA, INDIA, INDONESIA, SINGAPORE, THAILAND AND VIETNAM, AND RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR IN ASIA IN GREATER CHINA AND VIETNAM.

AVERY DENNISON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science and digital identification solutions company. We are Making Possible™ products and solutions that help advance the industries we serve, providing branding and information solutions that optimize labor and supply chain efficiency, reduce waste, advance sustainability, circularity and transparency, and better connect brands and consumers. We design and develop labeling and functional materials, radio-frequency identification (RFID) inlays and tags, software applications that connect the physical and digital, and offerings that enhance branded packaging and carry or display information that improves the customer experience. Serving industries worldwide — including home and personal care, apparel, general retail, e-commerce, logistics, food and grocery, pharmaceuticals and automotive — we employ approximately 35,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Our reported sales in 2024 were $8.8 billion. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.

AVERY DENNISON IS PROUD TO BE CERTIFIED GREAT PLACE TO WORK IN AUSTRALIA, CHINA, INDIA, INDONESIA, SINGAPORE, THAILAND AND VIETNAM, AND RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR IN ASIA IN GREATER CHINA AND VIETNAM.

AVERY DENNISON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Job Description

ABOUT LEAD:

The LEAD program is an accelerated growth career program that takes two years on average and emphasizes your experience in leadership and career development. The program has a comprehensive framework, depending on your chosen field, that covers on-the-job training through sub-functional and cross-functional rotations, stretch assignments and learning and training.

When you embark on your journey with us, you will participate in two-week onboarding programs to learn about the company and all important areas of the organization. You will also be guided by various managers at different stages of the program and coached by a mentor who is usually a leader of the organization.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be assessed on your overall performance and, if performing well, will be offered a job placement. You will also be paired with a program associate who will serve as a buddy to provide mutual support throughout the journey.

As LEAD Associate, Operations, you will:

• Begin with rotations through core Operations sub-functions, including Engineering, Production, and Process.
• Following the initial Operations rotations, you will have the opportunity to rotate into cross-functional areas such as Supply Chain, Marketing, or Sales. This provides a holistic view, equipping you with business knowledge essential for excelling in Operations.
• Each rotation will vary in length, typically lasting between 2 to 6 months, depending on the scope of the assigned projects and tasks.
• In each rotation, a dedicated manager, in addition to your line manager, will be assigned to provide direct guidance.
• A senior mentor, often a member of the leadership team, will be assigned to support your career development and help you navigate the organization.
• Develop technical, functional, and leadership skills within Operations.

WHAT WE OFFER AFTER THE PROGRAM:

The LEAD program is designed exclusively to develop future leaders who will drive Avery Dennison's business and market growth at all levels. Exceptional performance during the initial 6-month review period and before program completion could lead to an accelerated permanent position, equivalent to 3–4 years of professional experience.

WHAT WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR IN YOU:

We are looking for ambitious and intelligent young talents who graduate recently or with less than two years of professional experience.

Qualifications

YOU WILL NEED TO DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING DESIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Embrace Challenges: You thrive on the impossible, turning hurdles into opportunities.
• Unleash Innovation: Innovation is your playground, where unconventional ideas come to life.
• Mindsponge for Knowledge: You're a quick absorber, dissecting problems with original solutions.
• Fuelled by Determination: Challenges fuel your drive, overcoming odds with unwavering resolve.
• Team Dynamo: Collaboration ignites your energy, amplifying strength within teams.
• Influential Aura: Your credibility inspires and guides and your ability to get along with others builds connections.

Essential skills and qualifications:

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Automation, or Production Engineering.
• Open to new graduates or those with up to two years of professional history.
• Fluency in English and the local language (both oral and written) is essential.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skill and relationship‑building skills, analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Basic knowledge of essential generative AI and digital tools is advantageous.

Additional Details:

• Successful applicants must be prepared to start the program in July.
• We will contact only those candidates selected for an interview.

Additional Information

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or other protected status. EEOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.