Operations Excellence Manager

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Leadership development

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 in Port Elizabeth is seeking an Operations Excellence Manager to drive continuous improvement across the business. This hybrid role blends on-site leadership with remote strategic planning to deliver measurable efficiency and cost reductions.

The ideal candidate has Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, 8+ years in operations or CI, and strong change-management and stakeholder skills to mentor teams and implement best practices city-wide.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, MBA, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in operations management or continuous improvement.
• Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma preferred.
• Proven track record delivering complex operational improvements.
• Strong change management and stakeholder leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the operations excellence strategy aligned with business goals.
• Lead Lean Six Sigma projects (DMAIC, Kaizen) to improve performance.
• Maintain a robust continuous improvement framework and culture.
• Analyze data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities.
• Develop and deliver training on Lean Six Sigma and other methods.
• Collaborate with department heads to set and monitor performance metrics.
• Manage change initiatives with stakeholder buy-in and adoption.
• Benchmark best practices and drive innovative operational solutions.
• Report progress and impact of initiatives to senior management.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Change management

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or MBA

Tools

DMAIC tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a strategic Operations Excellence Manager to drive continuous improvement initiatives across their business operations in **Port Elizabeth**. This **hybrid** role will involve significant interaction with various departments, requiring a blend of on-site leadership and remote strategic planning. You will be responsible for developing and implementing programs that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, improve quality, and foster a culture of operational excellence. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of Lean Six Sigma methodologies, change management, and process re‑engineering. You will lead cross‑functional teams, mentor operational staff, and champion best practices throughout the organization. This is an exciting opportunity to shape operational strategy and deliver measurable results in the vibrant industrial landscape of **Port Elizabeth**.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's operations excellence strategy, aligning with overall business goals.
• Lead and facilitate Lean Six Sigma projects (DMAIC, Kaizen) to achieve significant improvements in operational performance.
• Implement and maintain a robust continuous improvement framework and culture across the organization.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and deliver training programs on Lean Six Sigma and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Collaborate with department heads to establish performance metrics and monitor progress.
• Manage change initiatives effectively, ensuring buy-in and adoption from stakeholders.
• Benchmark best practices and drive the implementation of innovative operational solutions.
• Report on the progress and impact of operations excellence initiatives to senior management.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in operations management, continuous improvement, or a related field.
• Master Black Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in leading and delivering complex operational improvement projects.
• Strong understanding of change management principles and experience in managing organizational change.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to influence and motivate teams at all levels.
• Experience with data analysis and performance management tools.
• Must be able to commute to **Port Elizabeth** regularly for on-site work.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with a significant performance-based bonus.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund.
• Opportunities for leadership development and executive training.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility.
• Significant impact on company-wide operational strategies.
• Generous paid time off.