Operations Excellence Lead — Food Processing (Relocation)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical aid and retirement fund

Generous annual leave

Training and career development

Relocation assistance

Employee wellness programs

Access to cutting-edge tools

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an Operations Excellence Lead based in Bloemfontein, SA, to drive lean and Six Sigma programs across a premier food processing organization.

You will lead cross-functional teams, shape improvement strategies, and develop training to build internal capabilities in continuous improvement tools and methodologies. A strong background in GMP and food safety is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or related field.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred.
• 6+ years in operations management with Lean/Six Sigma focus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of operational excellence programs and strategies across all plant functions.
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement to drive efficiency, quality, and cost reduction.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization, waste elimination, and performance enhancement through data analysis and plant assessments.
• Develop and facilitate training programs to build internal capabilities in continuous improvement tools and techniques.
• Manage cross-functional project teams to execute improvement initiatives, ensuring timely and successful completion.
• Establish and monitor KPIs related to operational performance, reporting results to senior management.
• Conduct regular site visits and audits to ensure adherence to best practices and identify areas for further development.
• Facilitate problem-solving sessions and root-cause analysis for operational challenges.
• Promote a culture of operational excellence, safety, and continuous learning across the organization.
• Collaborate with site leadership to integrate operational excellence into daily operations and strategic planning in Bloemfontein.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Change management

Leadership

Facilitation/Training

Project management

GMP knowledge

Minitab

Excel

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering / Operations Management

Tools

Minitab

MS Excel

PM software

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an Operations Excellence Lead based in Bloemfontein, SA, to drive lean and Six Sigma programs across a premier food processing organization.

You will lead cross-functional teams, shape improvement strategies, and develop training to build internal capabilities in continuous improvement tools and methodologies. A strong background in GMP and food safety is required.