Lean Manufacturing Systems Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Lean Manufacturing Systems Engineer to drive lean across the Paarl plant in the Western Cape. You will lead Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Kanban, and Kaizen events, collaborating with production teams to remove waste and improve flow.

This hands-on, on-site role requires strong leadership, change management, and data-driven problem solving. You will mentor staff, monitor KPIs, and ensure alignment with quality, safety, and environmental standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in lean manufacturing implementation or continuous improvement in a manufacturing setting.
• Proven expertise in applying lean tools and methodologies including Kaizen, VSM, 5S, Kanban.
• Experience leading Kaizen events and cross-functional improvement teams.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and training skills.
• Hands-on on-site work in Paarl, Western Cape.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and sustainment of lean manufacturing initiatives (VSM, 5S, Kanban, Kaizen).
• Analyze production processes to identify and eliminate muda (waste).
• Develop and deploy standard work procedures for consistency and efficiency.
• Collaborate with production teams to achieve targets and foster a lean culture.
• Train and mentor employees on lean principles and tools.
• Monitor and report KPI effectiveness of lean initiatives.
• Facilitate continuous improvement workshops and problem-solving sessions.
• Identify opportunities for process automation and integration to support lean goals.
• Ensure lean practices align with quality, safety, and environmental systems.
• Drive root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Kaizen events

Data analysis

Change management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Mechanical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic manufacturing enterprise, is seeking an experienced Lean Manufacturing Systems Engineer to join their dedicated team in Paarl, Western Cape . This role is essential for driving the implementation and continuous improvement of lean principles across all manufacturing operations. You will be responsible for optimizing workflows, reducing waste, enhancing productivity, and fostering a culture of operational excellence. This is a hands‑on, on-site position requiring a deep commitment to improving efficiency within our Paarl facility. If you are passionate about lean methodologies and have a proven track record of success, this is an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and sustainment of lean manufacturing initiatives, including Value Stream Mapping (VSM), 5S, Kanban, and Kaizen events.
• Analyze production processes to identify and eliminate waste (muda) in all its forms (overproduction, waiting, transport, inventory, motion, over‑processing, defects).
• Develop and deploy standard work procedures to ensure consistency and efficiency in operations.
• Collaborate with production teams, supervisors, and management to achieve operational targets and foster a lean culture.
• Train and mentor employees at all levels on lean principles and tools.
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of lean initiatives using key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Facilitate continuous improvement workshops and problem‑solving sessions.
• Identify opportunities for process automation and technological integration to support lean objectives.
• Ensure that lean practices are integrated with quality, safety, and environmental management systems.
• Drive root cause analysis for production issues and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in lean manufacturing implementation, continuous improvement, or industrial engineering within a manufacturing setting.
• Demonstrated expertise in applying various lean tools and methodologies effectively.
• Proven ability to lead Kaizen events and cross‑functional improvement teams.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and training skills.
• Experience in managing change and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Ability to work effectively on‑site in Paarl, Western Cape , and engage directly with plant floor personnel.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma principles is a plus.
• Hands‑on approach and strong leadership presence.

Benefits

• A competitive annual salary of up to R .
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and advanced training in lean methodologies.
• Generous paid leave and company holidays.
• Access to modern manufacturing facilities and equipment.
• A challenging and rewarding work environment focused on excellence.
• Be a key driver of operational efficiency in Paarl .
• Potential for career advancement within the organization.