Manufacturing Plant Manager

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus and long-term incentives

Relocation assistance

Health insurance and retirement plan

Company car and executive perks

Paid time off and leadership training

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa seeks a strategic Manufacturing Plant Manager to lead a large-scale production facility in Tembisa, Gauteng. You will oversee production, maintenance, quality, safety, and environmental compliance while driving efficiency and cost reduction.

The role requires a strong engineering or business background, 10+ years in manufacturing operations, and at least 5 years as a Plant Manager, with lean/Six Sigma expertise and proven P&L oversight.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
• Master's degree or MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations management, with at least 5 years in a Plant Manager role.
• Experience with large, complex facilities and unionized workforces is a plus.
• Strong financial acumen with P&L, budgets, and capital expenditures.
• Expertise in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of EHS regulations and best practices.
• Experience with various manufacturing processes and technologies.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage all plant operations including production, maintenance, quality assurance, logistics, and HR.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to achieve targets, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Lead and develop a high-performing plant management team and hourly workforce.
• Oversee capital expenditure budgeting, planning, and execution for improvements and upgrades.
• Implement lean manufacturing and continuous improvement across all functions.
• Manage the plant's financial performance including budgeting and cost control.
• Foster a culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with supply chain, sales, and R&D to align with business objectives.
• Drive innovation and adoption of new manufacturing technologies.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

P&L management

Leadership

Communication

Change management

Unionized workforce experience

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering or related field

Master's degree or MBA preferred

Tools

ERP/BI tooling

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading entity in the manufacturing and production industry, is seeking a strategic and results-oriented Manufacturing Plant Manager to spearhead operations in Tembisa, Gauteng . This pivotal role involves overseeing all aspects of plant operations, from production and quality control to health, safety, and environmental compliance. The successful candidate will be instrumental in driving operational efficiency, cost reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives. We are looking for a visionary leader with a deep understanding of large-scale manufacturing processes and a proven ability to manage complex operations and diverse teams. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of a significant production facility within a company dedicated to excellence and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct and manage all plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality assurance, logistics, and human resources.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to achieve production targets, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing plant management team and hourly workforce.
• Oversee the capital expenditure process, including budgeting, planning, and execution of plant improvements and equipment upgrades.
• Implement and champion lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies across all plant functions.
• Manage the plant's financial performance, including budget development, cost control, and profitability analysis.
• Foster a culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence throughout the plant.
• Collaborate with corporate functions, including supply chain, sales, and R&D, to ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Drive innovation and implement new technologies to enhance manufacturing capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field; Master's degree or MBA preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations management, with at least 5 years in a Plant Manager role.
• Demonstrated experience in managing large, complex manufacturing facilities and unionized workforces is a plus.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing P&Ls, budgets, and capital expenditures.
• Expertise in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans and drive operational excellence.
• Comprehensive knowledge of EHS regulations and best practices.
• Experience with various manufacturing processes and technologies.
• Must reside in or be willing to relocate to the Tembisa, Gauteng region.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive executive compensation package, including an annual bonus, long-term incentives, and relocation assistance if needed.
• Comprehensive health insurance, a generous retirement plan, and life insurance are provided.
• This role comes with significant autonomy and the opportunity to directly impact business success.
• Professional development opportunities, including leadership training and external courses, are readily available.
• Employees also enjoy a company car, substantial paid time off, and access to executive perks.
• Join a forward-thinking organization that invests in its leaders and fosters a culture of innovation and growth.