Operations Excellence Engineer

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive health and retirement/保险

Job summary

Placements24 in Upington, South Africa, seeks an Operations Excellence Engineer to drive strategic improvements in operational performance at the facility. You will apply Lean and Six Sigma principles to identify opportunities, lead improvement projects, and embed a culture of continuous improvement.

The role requires strong analytical and leadership skills, cross‑functional collaboration, and the ability to deliver measurable gains in efficiency, quality, and cost.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Advanced degree or certification is a plus.
• Lean Six Sigma certification is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an Operations Excellence strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead cross-functional projects to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and raise quality using Lean Six Sigma.
• Analyze data to identify trends and root causes across manufacturing, logistics, and support.
• Develop standard work, best practices, and performance metrics for consistent operations.
• Coach teams on continuous improvement tools and techniques.
• Collaborate with senior management to set goals and track progress.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Change management

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly motivated Operations Excellence Engineer to drive strategic improvements in operational performance at their facility in Upington . This role is pivotal in developing and executing programs aimed at optimizing efficiency, productivity, and quality across all operational facets. You will leverage industrial engineering principles, advanced analytical tools, and methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma to identify opportunities, lead improvement projects, and embed a culture of continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a proven ability to lead complex change initiatives and deliver measurable results in a demanding operational environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Operations Excellence strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead and manage cross-functional projects focused on improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing product quality, utilizing Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, root causes of issues, and opportunities for improvement across manufacturing, logistics, and support functions.
• Develop and implement standard work, best practices, and performance metrics to ensure consistent and efficient operations.
• Coach and mentor teams and individuals on continuous improvement tools and techniques, fostering an environment of proactive problem-solving.
• Collaborate with senior management to set operational goals and track progress towards achieving them.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering , Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree or certification is a plus.
• Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in operations management , continuous improvement, or industrial engineering.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in leading large-scale operational improvement projects with tangible results.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and change management capabilities.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and insurance benefits.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and leadership development.
• A challenging and rewarding work environment focused on innovation and excellence.
• Generous paid time off and professional development budget.