Management Consultant - Operations Excellence

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package

Performance bonus

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

PD & certifications

Diverse challenging projects

Travel opportunities within KwaZulu-Nt

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a results-oriented Management Consultant specializing in Operations Excellence in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The role focuses on diagnosing operational challenges, redesigning core processes, and implementing best practices across supply chain, manufacturing, and service delivery.

You will lead cross-functional teams, apply Lean and Six Sigma, and develop dashboards to track impact, with travel within KwaZulu-Natal as needed. A strong analytical mindset is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Master's degree or professional certifications (e.g., Lean Six Sigma Black Belt) highly advantageous.
• Minimum 5 years in management consulting, operations management, or process improvement.
• Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical, quantitative skills and data-driven insights.
• Excellent PM and change management capabilities.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder influence across levels.
• Willingness to travel to client sites within Pietermaritzburg and KwaZulu-Natal as needed.

Responsibilities

• Assess clients' current operations to identify inefficiencies.
• Design and implement process optimization strategies.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and other CI methods.
• Streamline supply chain, manufacturing, and service delivery.
• Lead cross-functional teams and manage adoption.
• Develop performance metrics and dashboards.
• Facilitate client workshops on operational best practices.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and within scope.
• Travel to client sites within KwaZulu-Natal as needed.

Skills

Lean

Six Sigma

Analytical skills

Project management

Change management

Stakeholder comms

Education

Bachelor's degree (Engineering/OM/BA)

Master's degree or Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (adv.)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished management consultancy, is seeking a results-oriented Management Consultant specializing in Operations Excellence to join their growing practice in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. This role is critical for helping clients optimize their operational performance, enhance efficiency, and reduce costs. You will be deeply involved in diagnosing operational challenges, redesigning core processes, and implementing best practices across supply chain, manufacturing, service delivery, and administrative functions. The ideal candidate possesses a strong analytical mindset, a practical understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies, and a passion for driving sustainable operational improvements. This position offers a unique opportunity to work with a variety of clients within Pietermaritzburg and the broader KwaZulu-Natal region, contributing to their competitive edge and long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess clients' current operational performance, identifying inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement.
• Develop and implement strategies for process optimization, cost reduction, and quality enhancement.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies to drive operational excellence.
• Design and streamline supply chain, manufacturing, and service delivery processes.
• Lead cross-functional teams in implementing operational changes and ensuring successful adoption.
• Develop performance metrics and dashboards to track progress and measure the impact of interventions.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions for client teams on operational best practices.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to clients on best practices in operations management.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and meet client expectations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A Master's degree or relevant certifications (e.g., Lean Six Sigma Black Belt) are highly advantageous.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in management consulting, operations management, or process improvement roles.
• Demonstrated expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proven track record of successfully diagnosing and resolving complex operational issues for clients.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Excellent project management and change management capabilities.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Willingness to travel to client sites within Pietermaritzburg and the KwaZulu-Natal province as needed.

Benefits

• An attractive salary package, benchmarked against industry standards and your expertise.
• Opportunities for performance-related bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Access to continuous professional development, including advanced training and certifications in operations excellence.
• A stimulating work environment that fosters collaboration, learning, and career advancement.
• The chance to work on diverse and challenging operational improvement projects for prominent clients in KwaZulu-Natal.