Plant Operations Manager

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus structure

Medical aid

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Plant Operations Manager to lead the Mahikeng facility in North West. You will oversee production scheduling, budgets, safety, and continuous improvement initiatives, guiding supervisors and cross-functional teams to achieve efficiency and quality targets.

The role demands a strong engineering or business foundation, 10+ years in plant operations, and practical expertise with lean manufacturing and ERP systems. On-site work is required at the Mahikeng site.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical or Electrical) or Business Admin.
• MBA is a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years in plant operations management within manufacturing/heavy industry.
• Proven track record in leading large operational teams and complex processes.
• Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing, operational excellence and quality management systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in budgeting, cost control and financial management.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and operational software.
• Commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance.
• On-site work in Mahikeng and adherence to plant protocols.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day plant operations including production scheduling and resource allocation.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Lead and develop supervisors and operations staff.
• Monitor performance metrics and implement corrective actions.
• Oversee maintenance to minimize downtime and ensure equipment reliability.
• Develop and manage operational budgets and optimize costs.
• Enforce quality control standards across production.
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance and supply chain to hit plant goals.
• Drive continuous improvement using lean/Six Sigma principles.
• Maintain positive labor relations and foster high-performance culture.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Financial management

Cost control

Lean manufacturing

Quality management

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

MBA

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major industrial facility, is seeking an experienced and results-oriented Plant Operations Manager to lead their operations in Mahikeng, North West . This critical role involves overseeing all aspects of plant production, ensuring efficiency, safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness. The Plant Operations Manager will be responsible for managing production teams, optimizing processes, implementing best practices, and maintaining high standards of operational performance. This position requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and hands-on management skills within a demanding industrial environment. The successful candidate will be instrumental in driving operational excellence and achieving key business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day plant operations, including production scheduling, resource allocation, and workflow optimization.
• Ensure all operations comply with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of supervisors and operational staff.
• Monitor plant performance metrics, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions.
• Oversee maintenance activities to ensure equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
• Develop and manage operational budgets, controlling costs and maximizing efficiency.
• Implement and enforce quality control standards throughout the production process.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as engineering, maintenance, and supply chain, to achieve plant goals.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing or Six Sigma principles.
• Maintain positive labor relations and foster a high-performance work culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical) or Business Administration.
• An advanced degree (MBA) is a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in plant operations management within a manufacturing or heavy industrial environment.
• Proven track record of successfully managing large operational teams and complex production processes.
• Strong understanding of operational excellence principles, lean manufacturing, and quality management systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability in financial management, budgeting, and cost control.
• Proficiency in utilizing operational software and ERP systems.Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance.
• Must be willing to work on-site in Mahikeng and adhere to all plant protocols.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, attractive bonus structure, comprehensive medical aid, retirement benefits, and generous paid time off.

The company provides opportunities for significant professional development, including leadership training and exposure to diverse operational challenges. Employees benefit from a stable work environment, clear career progression paths, and the chance to lead critical operations within a key industrial hub.