Plant Operations Director — Lean, Safety & Growth

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 2,500,000 - 4,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary

Annual bonus

Medical coverage

Pension

Life assurance

Professional development

International assignments

Relocation assistance

Generous annual leave

Wellness programs

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a visionary Head of Plant Operations to lead a major Rustenburg facility in North West, driving production, maintenance, quality, and safety at scale. The candidate will implement strategic plans to meet targets, budget discipline, and cost efficiencies while mentoring a team of plant leaders.

Required is a strong background in manufacturing with 12+ years in ops, plus expertise in lean principles, Six Sigma, ERP/MES, and health & safety compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical) or related field.
• Master's degree or MBA is highly advantageous.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in manufacturing and operations management, with at least 5 years in a senior plant leadership role.
• Proven experience in managing large-scale industrial plants, preferably within the manufacturing sector.
• In-depth knowledge of manufacturing processes, lean principles, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management and capital investment planning.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive change and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Solid understanding of health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Experience with ERP systems and manufacturing execution systems (MES).

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee all aspects of plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality control, and safety.
• Develop and implement strategic operational plans to meet production targets, cost efficiencies, and quality benchmarks.
• Manage the plant's budget, capital expenditure, and operational costs effectively.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of plant managers, supervisors, and operational staff.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations and company policies.
• Drive initiatives for process optimization, lean manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Oversee the maintenance and repair of plant machinery and equipment to ensure optimal uptime.
• Collaborate with supply chain, engineering, and R&D departments to support new product introductions and process improvements.
• Implement and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for plant operations.
• Foster a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement throughout the facility.
• Manage external relationships with suppliers, contractors, and regulatory bodies.
• Champion technological advancements and automation within the plant.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Strategic thinking

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical) or related field

Master's degree or MBA (advantageous)

Tools

ERP systems

MES

Job description

Placements24 seeks a visionary Head of Plant Operations to lead a major Rustenburg facility in North West, driving production, maintenance, quality, and safety at scale. The candidate will implement strategic plans to meet targets, budget discipline, and cost efficiencies while mentoring a team of plant leaders.

Required is a strong background in manufacturing with 12+ years in ops, plus expertise in lean principles, Six Sigma, ERP/MES, and health & safety compliance.