Plastics Production Shift Leader

Oxyon People Solutions; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 223,000 - 279,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxyon People Solutions is seeking an experienced Production Shift Supervisor for the Kempton Park area. You will oversee the converting production process, ensuring targets are met with zero defects, while maintaining SHERQ, safety and quality standards.

The role requires hands-on leadership to manage production resources, coach staff, and maintain data reporting. You will drive improvements, manage changeovers, and promote a culture of accountability and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Grade 12/Matric is required and a National Diploma or NQF6 is preferred.
• Minimum 5 years manufacturing experience with shift supervision.
• Experience with KPI metrics like OEE, downtime, scrap and productivity.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise all production activities during the allocated shift.
• Ensure production targets are achieved while maintaining quality and safety standards.
• Coordinate manpower, machinery, materials, and production schedules to maximize efficiency.
• Monitor production performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity, reduce downtime, and eliminate waste.
• Ensure compliance with ISO standards, company policies, and health and safety regulations.
• Investigate production issues, identify root causes, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Work closely with Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain departments to optimize plant performance.
• Conduct daily shift meetings, toolbox talks, and performance reviews.
• Mentor, coach, and develop production staff to improve capability and performance.
• Ensure accurate production reporting, shift handovers, and documentation.
• Manage labour performance, attendance, discipline, and employee engagement.
• Support lean manufacturing initiatives including 5S, Kaizen, TPM, and continuous improvement projects.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Safety compliance

Process improvement

Time management

Coaching & mentoring

Education

Matric/Grade 12

National Diploma or NQF Level 6

Mechanical/Electrical/Operations/Production Management

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

• Lead and supervise all production activities during the allocated shift.
• Ensure production targets are achieved while maintaining quality and safety standards.
• Coordinate manpower, machinery, materials, and production schedules to maximize efficiency.
• Monitor production performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity, reduce downtime, and eliminate waste.
• Ensure compliance with ISO standards, company policies, and health and safety regulations.
• Investigate production issues, identify root causes, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Work closely with Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain departments to optimize plant performance.
• Conduct daily shift meetings, toolbox talks, and performance reviews.
• Mentor, coach, and develop production staff to improve capability and performance.
• Ensure accurate production reporting, shift handovers, and documentation.
• Manage labour performance, attendance, discipline, and employee engagement.
• Support lean manufacturing initiatives including 5S, Kaizen, TPM, and continuous improvement projects.
• BTech Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Engineering.
• 58 years' experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 23 years' experience leading production teams or supervising shifts.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, manufacturing processes, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience working with KPIs such as OEE, downtime reduction, scrap reduction, and productivity improvement.
• Good understanding of quality systems and health & safety legislation.
• Experience with ERP or manufacturing management systems will be advantageous.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and people management abilities.

Location: Chloorkop, Kempton Park, Gauteng
Remuneration: Market-related monthly Cost to Company of R20,000 – R25,000

About the Company

The company operates its head office and manufacturing facilities from Kempton Park, Gauteng, and is seeking an experienced Production Shift Supervisor to join its Converting Production team in Chloorkop.

Purpose of the Role

Reporting to the Production & Factory Manager, the Shift Supervisor will play an important role in supporting operational objectives, driving productivity and maintaining a strong culture of accountability, quality and operational excellence within the converting factory.

The successful candidate will take ownership of day-to-day shift operations, including managing production resources, maintaining product quality, enforcing safety and housekeeping standards, leading production personnel and ensuring that daily production targets are achieved.

The role also requires a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for process improvement and improved operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

Overseeing the full converting production process and ensuring that shift targets are achieved with zero defects.

Maintaining required product quality, safety and SHERQ compliance standards.

Leading and managing production personnel, including attendance, discipline and on-shift coaching.

Ensuring that the required raw materials are available to support production schedules.

Assisting with machine changeovers and supporting Short Interval Control to maintain stable production processes.

Maintaining required housekeeping standards throughout the production environment.

Ensuring that CIL – Cleaning, Inspection and Lubrication – routines are completed.

Accurately updating and managing all required production data and reporting.

Operating as a mini business manager, encouraging proactive maintenance practices and ownership of production equipment.

Promoting adherence to Manufacturing Excellence practices, including DMS, intranet tools and check sheets.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have:

Grade 12 / Matric

A National Diploma or NQF Level 6 qualification in one of the following:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Operations Management
• Production Management

The following will be considered advantageous:

• Supervisory Development Programme

Experience

A minimum of 5 years’ experience within a manufacturing environment.

Skills and Attributes

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• A self-driven approach with a strong sense of accountability
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability
• Strong adherence to procedures and process control
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to work effectively with repetitive tasks while maintaining consistency and quality
• A strong work ethic
• Excellent attention to detail

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is an experienced manufacturing professional who is comfortable taking ownership of an operational shift and leading production employees in a structured, process-driven environment. They should combine strong production discipline, people supervision, problem-solving ability and attention to quality, while maintaining high standards of safety, housekeeping and process control.

They will be hands-on, accountable and self-driven, with the ability to keep production processes stable, support equipment and changeover activities and consistently drive the team towards daily production targets.

Our client is looking for an experienced and motivational Production Team Leader to guide their manufacturing team in Sandton. You will be responsible for overseeing the daily activities of a production unit, ensuring that targets for quality, productivity, and safety are met consistently. This role requires strong leadership skills, excellent communication, and the ability to motivate and develop team members to achieve departmental goals within a demanding production environment, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and high performance.