Principal Industrial Engineer - Strategic Operations Improvement

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 2,000,000 - 4,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level benefits

Hybrid work arrangement

Global exposure

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Industrial Engineer for a market-leading industrial conglomerate in Sandton. This strategic leadership role focuses on long-term operational improvements across global operations, driving efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

You will develop and implement advanced operational strategies, mentor teams of engineers, and guide senior management on transformation initiatives with a hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 10–12 years of progressive experience in industrial engineering with strategic leadership and large-scale transformation.
• Master Black Belt in Six Sigma preferred.
• Proven track record of leading multi-million dollar improvement projects.
• Experience with global operations and supply chain management.

Responsibilities

• Develop long-term strategic plans for operational excellence across multiple business units.
• Lead complex, cross-functional improvement projects using Lean, Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints, etc.
• Analyze global operational performance data to identify opportunities for optimization and cost reduction.
• Mentor and guide teams of industrial engineers.
• Develop and deploy standardized best practices for operational processes.
• Evaluate and recommend investments in new technologies and automation.
• Advise senior management on operational strategy and performance improvement initiatives.
• Develop robust business cases and financial justifications for strategic projects.
• Represent the company in industry forums and stay abreast of trends.
• Drive adoption of digital transformation tools and methodologies within operations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Problem-solving

Influencing

Project management

Data analysis

Global operations

Education

MS/PhD in Industrial Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a market-leading industrial conglomerate based in the prestigious business district of Sandton , seeks a highly experienced and visionary Principal Industrial Engineer . This is a strategic leadership role, offered with a hybrid work arrangement, focused on driving significant, long-term improvements across the organization's diverse operations. You will be responsible for developing and implementing advanced operational strategies, leveraging cutting-edge methodologies to enhance efficiency, productivity, and profitability on a global scale. The ideal candidate will be a recognized expert in industrial engineering, capable of influencing senior leadership and leading large-scale transformation initiatives. This is a premier opportunity for an influential engineer to make a lasting impact within a globally recognized company in Gauteng .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement long-term strategic plans for operational excellence across multiple business units.
• Lead complex, cross-functional improvement projects utilizing advanced industrial engineering techniques (Lean, Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints, etc.).
• Analyze global operational performance data to identify strategic opportunities for optimization and cost reduction.
• Mentor and guide teams of industrial engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
• Develop and deploy standardized best practices for operational processes throughout the organization.
• Evaluate and recommend investment in new technologies and automation solutions to drive competitive advantage.
• Act as a key advisor to senior management on operational strategy and performance improvement initiatives.
• Develop robust business cases and financial justifications for strategic operational projects.
• Represent the company in industry forums and stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices in industrial engineering.
• Drive the adoption of digital transformation tools and methodologies within operations.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 10-12 years of progressive experience in industrial engineering, with a significant portion in strategic leadership and large-scale operational transformation.
• Demonstrated expertise in a wide range of Lean, Six Sigma (Master Black Belt preferred), and other operational excellence methodologies.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and delivering complex, multi-million dollar improvement projects.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and influencing skills, with experience presenting to C-suite executives.
• Experience with global operations and supply chain management.
• Proficiency in advanced analytical and simulation tools.
• Ability to manage ambiguity and drive change in a complex organizational structure.
• Strong understanding of digital transformation trends and their application in industry.

Benefits

• Executive-level salary and comprehensive bonus structure.
• Top-tier medical, life, and disability insurance.
• Generous executive leave package.
• Significant budget for professional development, executive coaching, and conference attendance.
• Opportunity to shape the future of a major global industrial organization.
• Access to cutting-edge resources and strategic decision-making involvement.
• A highly stimulating and challenging work environment with significant autonomy.