Operations Manager

Weir Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global engineering firm is seeking an Operations Manager in Johannesburg. The role involves leading and managing production operations to ensure optimal performance in safety, quality, and delivery. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in mechanical or industrial engineering, with 8–10 years of manufacturing experience, including leadership roles. Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma is essential. The position offers a chance to contribute to a company focused on sustainability and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• 5 years of experience in a leadership position.
• Experience in pump assembly or polyurethane processing is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production operations to meet quality and delivery targets.
• Implement safety policies and ensure compliance.
• Cultivate a high-performance culture in the team.
• Monitor key performance indicators for improvement.
• Demonstrate commitment to a zero harm culture.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Production Planning

Team Leadership

Continuous Improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or industrial engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Title

Operations Manager

Division

Weir Minerals

Location

Alrode – Onsite

Purpose of Role

To lead and manage all production operations across the Pump assembly, Polyurethane manufacturing, and Paint Plant, ensuring optimal performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and continuous improvement. The incumbent will drive operational excellence, develop high-performing teams, and ensure alignment with strategic business goals.

Why Choose Weir

Be part of a global organization dedicated to building a better future. At Weir, the growing world depends on us constantly reinventing, quickly adapting, and continually finding better, faster, more sustainable ways to access the resources it needs to thrive. And it depends on each of us doing the best work of our lives. It’s a big challenge – but it is exciting.

An opportunity to grow your own way: Everything moves fast in the dynamic world of Weir. This creates opportunities for us to take on new challenges, explore new areas, learn, progress, and excel. Best of all, there is no set path that our people must take. Instead, everyone is given the support and freedom to tailor‑make their own career and do the best work of their lives.

Feel empowered to be yourself and belong: Weir is a welcoming, inclusive place, where each individual’s contribution is recognized and all employees are encouraged to innovate, collaborate and be themselves. We continually focus on people and their wellbeing. We believe in fairness and choose to be honest, transparent and authentic in everything we do.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Management & Operational Excellence: Lead and oversee daily production operations to meet output, quality, and delivery targets. Manage production planning, shift coordination, resource allocation, and operational budgets including labor, overtime, raw materials, and consumables. Direct performance through the Production team, ensuring accountability and alignment with policy deployment.
• Safety, Compliance & Continuous Improvement: Implement and monitor safety, health, and environmental policies with zero tolerance for non‑compliance. Ensure full compliance with all company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Drive the adoption of lean principles and foster a continuous improvement culture through effective management controls and employee training.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead training and development of production and assembly teams. Cultivate a high‑performance culture built on teamwork, accountability, and aligned values. Promote ongoing development of staff and support the organizational culture across internal and external stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and partners.
• Performance Tracking & Cross‑functional Collaboration: Monitor and improve key performance indicators such as recovery rates, defect rates, rework, and scrap reduction. Attain quality improvement targets and support cross‑functional collaboration on new and existing projects to ensure timely and successful execution.
• Safety First: Demonstrate 100% commitment to our zero harm behaviors in support of our drive towards developing a world class safety culture.

Job Knowledge/Education and Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in mechanical or industrial engineering.
• 8–10 years of experience within a manufacturing environment, including a minimum of 5 years in a leadership position. Experience in pump assembly, polyurethane processing, or industrial painting is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proficient in production planning tools, ERP systems, and the Microsoft Office Suite. Knowledge of mechanical systems, chemical processes, and industrial coatings.

About Weir

Founded in 1871, Weir is a world leading engineering business with a purpose to make mining operations smarter, more efficient and sustainable. Thanks to Weir’s technology, our customers can produce essential metals and minerals using less energy, water and waste at lower cost. With the increasing need for metals and minerals for climate change solutions, Weir colleagues are playing their part in powering a low carbon future. We are a global family of 11,000 uniquely talented people in over 60 countries, inspiring each other to do the best work of our lives.

EEO Statement

Weir is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, age, or any other legally protected status.