Lean Manufacturing Specialist (Remote)

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 520,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development (Lean)

Flexible work-life balance

Remote work tools

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a dedicated Lean Manufacturing Specialist to join a fully remote team in South Africa. You will drive process improvements across sites by applying Lean principles, facilitating waste reduction, and implementing durable changes with production and cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in Lean manufacturing, strong facilitation and coaching skills, and a track record of measurable results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience implementing Lean Manufacturing principles and tools.
• Proven track record of successful Lean project implementation with measurable results.
• Strong understanding of Lean methodologies; Six Sigma is a plus.
• Excellent facilitation, training, and coaching skills.
• Certification in Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Identify and eliminate waste in all forms (e.g., overproduction, waiting, transport, inventory, motion, defects, over-processing).
• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events and continuous improvement workshops.
• Develop and implement Lean tools such as 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Kanban, and SMED.
• Train and coach employees at all levels on Lean principles and practices.
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of implemented Lean initiatives.
• Collaborate with site management to set Lean objectives and action plans.
• Support the development and implementation of standardized work procedures.
• Analyze operational data to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement.
• Benchmark best practices and share knowledge across the organization.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Data analysis

Training & coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

5S

Value Stream Mapping

Kanban

SMED

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in continuous improvement within the manufacturing sector, is seeking a dedicated Lean Manufacturing Specialist to join their fully remote team. This role is crucial for driving efficiency and optimizing processes across all operational sites by applying Lean principles and methodologies. You will work closely with production teams, management, and cross-functional departments to identify waste, improve workflows, and implement sustainable changes. The ideal candidate is a passionate advocate for Lean thinking, possesses strong analytical skills, and has a proven track record of successfully implementing Lean initiatives in manufacturing environments. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute significantly to operational excellence from anywhere in South Africa, offering the ultimate flexibility. Your expertise will be instrumental in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and driving measurable results in waste reduction and productivity enhancement.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and eliminate waste in all forms (e.g., overproduction, waiting, transport, inventory, motion, defects, over-processing).
• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events and continuous improvement workshops.
• Develop and implement Lean tools such as 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Kanban, and SMED.
• Train and coach employees at all levels on Lean principles and practices.
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of implemented Lean initiatives.
• Collaborate with site management to set Lean objectives and action plans.
• Support the development and implementation of standardized work procedures.
• Analyze operational data to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement.
• Benchmark best practices and share knowledge across the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience implementing Lean Manufacturing principles and tools.
• Proven track record of successful Lean project implementation and achieving measurable results.
• Strong understanding of various Lean methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma is a plus).
• Excellent facilitation, training, and coaching skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, comfortable working with diverse teams remotely.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and drive projects to completion in a remote setting.
• Certification in Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma is highly desirable.
• Passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package.
• Our client provides comprehensive medical aid and a retirement fund.
• Opportunities for professional development, including advanced Lean training and certifications.
• Our client supports a flexible work-life balance and provides the necessary tools for remote work.
• You will be part of an innovative and forward-thinking company culture focused on growth and efficiency.
• This role offers significant autonomy and the opportunity to influence operational strategies across multiple sites.
• Potential for career advancement within the operational excellence domain.