Operations Excellence Manager

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with incentives

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Supportive work culture

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an Operations Excellence Manager in Mossel Bay, Western Cape to drive continuous improvement and optimize processes across facilities. You will implement Lean and Six Sigma, analyze performance data, and lead cross-functional teams to achieve breakthroughs in safety, efficiency and sustainability.

The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical mindset, exceptional problem-solving skills, and a track record of delivering measurable results in a complex industrial

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations management or related field.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred.
• 6+ years in operations management or continuous improvement in manufacturing or petrochemical sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of operations excellence programs.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma and CI methodologies to eliminate inefficiencies.
• Analyze data to identify trends, root causes and improvement opportunities.
• Facilitate cross‑functional Kaizen events and improvement projects.
• Develop dashboards and reports to track key metrics.
• Train and mentor staff on CI principles and tools.
• Champion a culture of safety, quality and ops excellence.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations and company policies.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Facilitation

Change management

Cross functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Operations Management or related field

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Tools

Data analysis software

Project management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the petrochemical industry, is seeking a results-driven Operations Excellence Manager to join their team in Mossel Bay, Western Cape. This role is integral to driving continuous improvement initiatives, optimizing operational processes, and ensuring the highest standards of safety and efficiency across the company's facilities. You will be responsible for implementing methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma, analyzing performance data, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve operational breakthroughs. The ideal candidate possesses a strong analytical mindset, exceptional problem-solving skills, and a passion for driving positive change within a complex industrial environment. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on operational performance and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of operations excellence programs across the organization.
• Utilize Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies to identify and eliminate inefficiencies.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, root causes of problems, and opportunities for improvement.
• Facilitate cross-functional teams in Kaizen events and improvement projects.
• Develop and maintain performance dashboards and reports to track progress on key operational metrics.
• Train and mentor employees at all levels on continuous improvement principles and tools.
• Champion a culture of operational excellence, safety, and quality throughout the organization.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant industry regulations and company policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt is highly preferred.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in operations management or continuous improvement roles, preferably within the manufacturing or petrochemical sector.
• Proven track record of successfully implementing operational excellence initiatives and achieving measurable results.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data.
• Excellent facilitation, coaching, and change management skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and project management software.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work effectively in a hybrid model, with a primary base in Mossel Bay, Western Cape.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, including performance-based incentives, comprehensive medical aid, and a retirement fund.
• Opportunities for professional development and advanced training are provided.
• Employees benefit from a supportive work culture and the chance to contribute to a significant industrial operation in the scenic region of Mossel Bay.