Manufacturing Operations Manager | Engineering

TalentFuse (Pty) Ltd; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Job summary

TalentFuse (Pty) Ltd is seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Operations Manager (Plant) to own Gauteng's overall performance and drive KPI attainment. You will lead day-to-day production using lean practices while managing engineering projects, maintenance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

You will mentor a multidisciplinary team, collaborate with commercial teams to meet customer needs, and foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 10 years' manufacturing experience.
• At least 4 years' experience in a senior leadership or General Management role within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, engineering, maintenance, and continuous improvement.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams and deliver operational results.
• Experience within industrial packaging or a related manufacturing industry will be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Leading all day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure optimal plant performance.
• Driving operational KPIs, productivity, quality, safety, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Managing engineering projects, plant maintenance, and technical improvements.
• Supporting new product development and manufacturing innovation.
• Working closely with commercial teams to support customer requirements and business growth.
• Leading, mentoring, and developing a multidisciplinary team.
• Driving a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiencies, reduce costs, and optimise manufacturing processes.
• Building strong relationships across operations, engineering, sales, and executive leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Excel

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication

Team development

Commercial acumen

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

Duties & Responsibilities

As the Manufacturing OperationsManager (Plant), you will take ownership of the overall performance of the Gauteng operation, including:

• Leading all day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure optimal plant performance.
• Driving operational KPIs, productivity, quality, safety, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Managing engineering projects, plant maintenance, and technical improvements.
• Supporting new product development and manufacturing innovation.
• Working closely with commercial teams to support customer requirements and business growth.
• Leading, mentoring, and developing a multidisciplinary team.
• Driving a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiencies, reduce costs, and optimise manufacturing processes.
• Building strong relationships across operations, engineering, sales, and executive leadership.

Desired Experience & Qualification

• Degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 10 years' manufacturing experience.
• At least 4 years' experience in a senior leadership or General Management role within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, engineering, maintenance, and continuous improvement.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams and deliver operational results.
• Experience within industrial packaging or a related manufacturing industry will be advantageous.

The Ideal Person

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a hands-on leader who enjoys being involved in the day-to-day operation.
• Thinks strategically while remaining operationally focused.
• Has strong commercial acumen and understands how operational decisions impact profitability.
• Inspires and develops people while creating a positive working culture.
• Is adaptable, resilient, and thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Takes ownership, solves problems proactively, and follows through to successful completion.
• Enjoys building businesses rather than simply maintaining them.