Lead Industrial Engineer: Lean Ops Leader

Placements24; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration package

Performance-based bonuses

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement fund contribution

Professional certifications & training

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Industrial Engineer to drive operations improvement at the Tembisa, Gauteng facility. You will lead a team of engineers, develop strategic solutions, and ensure optimal resource use while advancing safety and quality standards.

The role requires 8+ years in industrial engineering with leadership experience, strong lean and Six Sigma expertise, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable business insights.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or closely related field.
• Minimum 8 years progressive experience in industrial engineering, with at least 3 years in leadership/supervisory roles.
• Proven success in large-scale process improvement projects.
• Expertise in lean, Six Sigma (Black Belt preferred), and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong understanding of supply chain, logistics, and operations management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of industrial engineers with guidance and technical expertise.
• Develop and execute long-term strategies for operational efficiency and cost reduction.
• Oversee analysis of production systems to identify improvement opportunities and implement solutions.
• Design and implement advanced layout and material handling systems to optimize plant flow.
• Champion lean manufacturing, Kaizen, and Six Sigma projects to drive measurable improvements.
• Develop business cases for capital investments in new equipment and technologies.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for operational performance and process control.
• Collaborate with senior management to set operational goals and align engineering with business strategy.
• Ensure all engineering activities comply with safety, environmental, and quality standards in Tembisa, Gauteng.
• Manage multiple projects, ensuring timely and budget-compliant delivery.
• Facilitate cross-functional team collaboration for integrated problem-solving.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma (Black Belt preferred)

Team mentoring

Strategic thinking

Education

Master's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

Simulation software

Project management software

Statistical analysis tools

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Industrial Engineer to drive operations improvement at the Tembisa, Gauteng facility. You will lead a team of engineers, develop strategic solutions, and ensure optimal resource use while advancing safety and quality standards.

The role requires 8+ years in industrial engineering with leadership experience, strong lean and Six Sigma expertise, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable business insights.