Lean Manufacturing Engineer - Hybrid Auto Ops Impact

Placements24; Richards Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 850,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical-aid

Retirement planning

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks a Lean Manufacturing Engineer to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence on the shop floor. You will implement Lean principles, identify waste, streamline processes, and mentor teams in standardized work.

Responsibilities include Gemba walks, leading Kaizen events, and tracking KPIs like lead time, cycle time, and defect rates to sustain gains in a fast-moving automotive supply environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years in Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement.
• Proven experience applying Lean tools to improve production efficiency and cost reduction.
• Strong understanding of value stream mapping, 5S, Kaizen, and Lean techniques.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Implement Lean Manufacturing principles across all production areas.
• Identify and eliminate waste in processes (Muda).
• Conduct Gemba walks and process analyses to identify root causes.
• Develop and lead Kaizen events and CI projects.
• Train and mentor staff on Lean methodologies and tools.
• Establish and track KPIs related to Lean initiatives (lead time, cycle time, defects).
• Collaborate with production management and engineering to integrate Lean into operations.
• Document best practices and ensure standardized work procedures.
• Support TPM initiatives.
• Contribute to safety culture in the manufacturing environment.

Skills

Lean principles

Continuous improvement

Gemba walks

Kaizen events

5S

Value stream mapping

JIT

Data analysis

Problem solving

Team coaching

Planning & KPIs

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

MS Excel

Statistical analysis

Job description

Placements24 in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks a Lean Manufacturing Engineer to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence on the shop floor. You will implement Lean principles, identify waste, streamline processes, and mentor teams in standardized work.

Responsibilities include Gemba walks, leading Kaizen events, and tracking KPIs like lead time, cycle time, and defect rates to sustain gains in a fast-moving automotive supply environment.