Lead Industrial Engineer - Manufacturing Excellence

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Executive compensation

Health & retirement benefits

Leadership training

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein seeks a highly experienced Lead Industrial Engineer to head manufacturing excellence. You will lead a team of engineers, set strategic direction, and drive initiatives across productivity, quality, and cost improvement.

The role emphasizes Lean, Six Sigma, Industry 4.0 adoption, and a culture of continuous learning. You will partner with senior leaders to shape manufacturing strategy and deliver measurable gains in throughput and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in industrial engineering.
• At least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and TQM.
• Proven track record leading large-scale process improvement projects.
• Expertise in manufacturing systems, automation, and SPC.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of industrial engineers.
• Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for manufacturing excellence.
• Oversee Lean, Six Sigma, and TQM implementations.
• Drive throughput, yield, and cost reductions via data analysis.
• Champion workplace safety, quality standards, and engagement.
• Collaborate with senior management to align strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Team mentorship

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Total Quality Management

Job description

Our client is looking for a highly experienced Lead Industrial Engineer to spearhead their manufacturing excellence initiatives in Bloemfontein. This senior role involves leading a team of engineers and driving strategic projects focused on enhancing productivity, quality, and cost-effectiveness within their manufacturing operations. You will be responsible for setting the direction for process improvement, implementing advanced manufacturing techniques, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and operational discipline. The ideal candidate will have a strong leadership background, a deep understanding of modern manufacturing principles, and a passion for innovation and driving significant operational improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of industrial engineers, providing technical guidance and performance management.
• Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for manufacturing excellence, including the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Oversee the implementation of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma programs across all production facilities.
• Drive significant improvements in production throughput, yield, and cost reduction through data-driven analysis.
• Champion initiatives to enhance workplace safety, quality standards, and employee engagement.
• Collaborate with senior management to align manufacturing strategies with overall business objectives.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in industrial engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Extensive experience implementing Lean Manufacturing , Six Sigma, and Total Quality Management (TQM).
• Demonstrated success in leading large-scale process improvement projects and managing engineering teams.
• Expertise in manufacturing systems, automation, and statistical process control.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, leadership, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Executive-level compensation package, including bonus and stock options.
• Significant autonomy and influence in shaping manufacturing strategy.
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and insurance benefits.
• Generous professional development budget and leadership training.
• Opportunity to make a substantial impact on a leading company's operations.