Lean Manufacturing Engineer

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Annual bonus

Health & life insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement plan

Paid vacation & sick leave

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a highly skilled Lean Manufacturing Engineer to join their Richards Bay operations. You will drive continuous improvement initiatives, optimize production processes, and embed Lean principles across manufacturing teams to sustain peak performance.

With 5+ years in manufacturing and a strong Lean toolkit (SMED, Poka-Yoke, Kanban, JIT), you will train staff, lead cross-functional projects, and collaborate with quality and production to deliver tangible efficiency gains and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment with a strong Lean Manufacturing focus.
• Proven track record of leading continuous improvement projects with measurable results.
• Expertise in Lean tools such as SMED, Poka-Yoke, Kanban, and JIT.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities to influence change.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and sustainment of Lean Manufacturing principles across production areas (5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping).
• Analyze processes to identify waste, bottlenecks, and opportunities for efficiency improvements.
• Develop and execute continuous improvement projects with clear objectives, timelines and measurable results.
• Train and mentor production staff and supervisors on Lean methodologies.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and production teams to implement process enhancements.
• Standardize work processes and develop visual management tools to support operational excellence.

Skills

Lean implementation

Continuous improvement

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

SMED

Poka-Yoke

Kanban

JIT

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Lean Manufacturing Engineer to join their established operations in Richards Bay . This role is crucial for driving continuous improvement initiatives, optimizing production processes, and fostering a culture of efficiency and waste reduction. You will work hands-on with manufacturing teams to implement Lean principles and methodologies, ensuring that our production lines operate at peak performance. This is an excellent opportunity to apply your expertise in a vital industrial hub and contribute directly to the company's operational success and competitive advantage.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and sustainment of Lean Manufacturing principles across all production areas, including 5S, Kaizen, and Value Stream Mapping.
• Analyze manufacturing processes to identify waste, bottlenecks, and opportunities for efficiency improvements.
• Develop and execute continuous improvement projects, setting clear objectives, timelines, and measurable results.
• Train and mentor production staff and supervisors on Lean methodologies and best practices.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and production teams to develop and implement process enhancements.
• Standardize work processes and develop visual management tools to support operational excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment, with a strong focus on Lean Manufacturing implementation.
• Proven track record of successfully leading continuous improvement projects and achieving measurable results.
• Expertise in Lean tools and techniques such as SMED, Poka-Yoke, Kanban, and JIT.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically and analytically.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence change.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus.
• Comprehensive health, life, and disability insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with employer contribution.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Opportunities for professional development and advanced Lean certifications.
• Stable work environment in a key industrial location.