Plant Operations Director - Richards Bay Industrial Zone

Placements24; Richards Bay; In loco; ZAR 1.800.000 - 3.000.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

Competitive salary with performance‑dr

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Generous annual leave

Professional development opportunities

Relocation assistance

Housing assistance

Access to advanced manufacturing tech

Global company exposure

Descrizione del lavoro

Placements24 is seeking a senior Plant Operations Director to lead a state‑of‑the‑art facility in Richards Bay, KwaZulu‑Natal. You will direct all operations, drive safety excellence, and optimize production efficiency while balancing cost controls and environmental stewardship.

The role requires a chemical/ mechanical engineering background with at least 10 years in large‑scale plant management, and a track record of process optimization and team leadership in a chemical manufacturing setting.

Competenze

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field.
• Master's degree or MBA is a strong advantage.

Mansioni

• Oversee day-to-day plant operations in Richards Bay to ensure efficient production and quality.
• Develop and implement strategic operational plans to enhance productivity and reduce costs.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental (HSE) regulations and company policies.
• Lead a diverse team of managers, engineers, supervisors, and staff focusing on high performance.
• Implement KPIs to monitor performance and identify optimization opportunities.
• Oversee maintenance and ensure equipment reliability with proactive maintenance strategies.
• Manage budgets and control expenditures while maintaining safety and quality.
• Collaborate with R&D, sales, and supply chain to meet market demands.
• Drive Lean/Six Sigma initiatives to improve processes and efficiency.
• Champion a strong safety culture and training across plant personnel.

Conoscenze

Leadership

Strategic planning

HSE compliance

Team management

Problem‑solving

Data analysis

Formazione

Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree or MBA (advantage)

Strumenti

ERP software

Industrial automation systems

Data analysis tools

Descrizione del lavoro

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the chemical manufacturing industry, is seeking an accomplished and dynamic Plant Operations Director to lead their state-of-the-art facility located in the strategic Richards Bay industrial zone, KwaZulu-Natal.

This senior leadership role is responsible for the overall management of plant operations, ensuring optimal production output, stringent safety standards, and efficient resource utilization. The ideal candidate will possess a robust background in chemical engineering or a related field, coupled with extensive experience in large-scale plant management, process optimization, and team leadership. This is a critical position that demands a commitment to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and fostering a culture of safety and environmental responsibility. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving the plant's performance and strategic direction within the competitive KwaZulu-Natal market.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all day-to-day operations of the manufacturing plant in Richards Bay , ensuring efficient production and adherence to quality standards.
• Develop and implement strategic operational plans to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve overall plant performance.
• Ensure strict compliance with all health, safety, environmental (HSE) regulations and company policies, maintaining a safe and sustainable working environment.
• Manage and lead a diverse team of plant managers, engineers, supervisors, and operational staff, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Implement and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for plant operations, analyzing data to identify trends and areas for optimization.
• Oversee maintenance operations, ensuring equipment reliability and minimizing downtime through proactive maintenance strategies.
• Manage plant budgets, control operational expenditures, and identify cost‑saving opportunities without compromising safety or quality.
• Collaborate with other departments, including R&D, sales, and supply chain, to ensure seamless integration and meet market demands.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, such as Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma, to optimize processes and enhance efficiency.
• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure all plant personnel are adequately trained and adhere to safety protocols.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• A Master's degree or MBA is a strong advantage.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in plant operations management within the chemical manufacturing industry.
• Demonstrated experience in leading large-scale industrial plants, preferably in the Richards Bay area or similar industrial hubs.
• Proven expertise in process optimization, production planning, and resource management.
• Strong understanding of HSE regulations and best practices in the chemical industry.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency in industrial automation systems, ERP software, and data analysis tools.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management and cost control.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.
• Commitment to fostering a safe and environmentally responsible workplace.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package with performance‑based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Generous annual leave and paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement within a global organization.
• Relocation assistance for candidates moving to Richards Bay .
• Access to cutting‑edge manufacturing technology and facilities.
• Company‑provided housing allowance or assistance.
• Performance recognition programs.