Lead Production Engineer

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Life insurance

Retirement annuity

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Production Engineer in George to oversee daily production operations, drive schedules, and lead a team of engineers and technicians. The role focuses on optimizing efficiency, quality, and safety within a growing manufacturing environment.

The successful candidate will bring extensive industrial engineering expertise, a track record in production management, and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in production engineering with leadership experience.
• Experience with production planning, scheduling and process optimization.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage daily production operations.
• Develop and implement production schedules to meet demand.
• Lead and mentor the production engineering team for high performance.
• Address bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and ensure quality.
• Enforce safety protocols and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with QA to maintain product integrity.
• Manage budgets and control production costs.
• Drive adoption of new technologies and automation.
• Analyze data to forecast needs and report to management.
• Oversee maintenance to minimize downtime.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Master's or Bachelor's in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

MES

ERP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and expanding manufacturing enterprise located in George , is actively seeking to recruit a Lead Production Engineer. This pivotal role will oversee and optimize all aspects of the production process, ensuring maximum efficiency, quality, and safety. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of industrial engineering principles and extensive experience in production management. You will be responsible for leading a team of engineers and technicians, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring that production targets are met or exceeded. This is an exceptional opportunity to take on a leadership position within a growing company in the scenic Western Cape region, contributing significantly to our client's operational excellence and market growth. Your expertise will directly influence our client's manufacturing capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct and manage the daily operations of the production department.
• Develop and implement production schedules and strategies to meet demand and optimize resource utilization.
• Lead and mentor the production engineering team, fostering a culture of collaboration and high performance.
• Identify and address production bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and quality issues.
• Implement and enforce safety protocols and ensure compliance with all regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with quality assurance teams to maintain product integrity and customer satisfaction.
• Manage budgets and control costs associated with production operations.
• Drive the adoption of new technologies and automation to enhance production capabilities.
• Analyze production data to identify trends, forecast needs, and report on performance to senior management.
• Oversee the maintenance and repair of production machinery and equipment to minimize downtime.

Requirements

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in production engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.
• Demonstrated experience with production planning, scheduling, and process optimization techniques.
• Strong knowledge of quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001) and safety regulations.
• Proficiency in using manufacturing execution systems (MES) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation abilities.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with all levels of the organization.
• Experience in the George manufacturing sector is highly preferred.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, including performance-based bonuses and comprehensive benefits such as medical aid, life insurance, and a retirement annuity.
• Professional development opportunities, including specialized training and conference attendance, are readily available.
• This is a permanent, full-time position based in George , with a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration.
• We are committed to employee well-being and offer excellent leave policies.