Production Engineer - Automotive Lean & Kaizen Lead

Benteler Automotive Corporation; Kariega; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

BENTELER Automotive Corporation in South Africa's Eastern Cape seeks a Professional- level engineer to drive manufacturing excellence across multiple production lines. You will own KPIs, lead Lean initiatives, and coordinate with cross-functional teams on safety, quality and delivery targets.

The role emphasizes process discipline, leadership of teams, and effective problem-solving using structured methodologies to sustain improvements and support plant expansion and customer commitments.

Qualifications

• Relevant Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial/Mechatronics Engineering Qualification or Equivalent
• Strong process capability or production engineering background with relevant experience
• Good experience in automotive or manufacturing environment
• Strong discipline to drive team members to achieve results
• Ability to communicate at all levels
• Capacity for teamwork, initiative and analytical skills
• Strong leadership skills and Problem-Solving Skills
• Good computer literacy and ability to do Presentations
• Knowledge of health, safety, and environmental regulations in the Automotive Industry
• Monitor process capability and operational efficiency across all production lines
• Responsible for owning manufacturing KPIs including Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, OEE, Availability, Performance and Scrap
• Lead investigations of production losses and implement sustainable corrective actions
• Establish recovery plans whenever operational targets are not achieved
• Develop and maintain manufacturing standards and procedures
• Implement best practices and reduce process variation across production areas
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Kaizen activities
• Drive projects focused on productivity, scrap reduction and cost optimization
• Facilitate structured problem-solving workshops using 8D, A3 and 5 Why methodologies
• Track and report operational savings generated by improvement initiatives
• Coordinate technical activities with Production, Maintenance, Quality and Logistics teams
• Evaluate process risks and implement preventive actions
• Act as the primary Operations representative during new product launches
• Support plant expansion and equipment relocation projects
• Support customer complaint investigations and containment activities
• Lead cross-functional improvement teams
• Coach team leaders and operators on process discipline
• Follow BENTELER standards, procedures and Values

Responsibilities

• Own manufacturing KPIs including Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, OEE, Availability and Scrap.
• Lead investigations of production losses and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate with Production, Maintenance, Quality and Logistics teams on improvements.

Skills

Mechanical Eng

Electrical Eng

Industrial Eng

Mechatronics

Leadership

Problem Solving

Communication

Teamwork

Lean Manufacturing

Kaizen

8D Method

A3 Analysis

5 Whys

Education

Engineering Qualification

Job description

BENTELER Automotive Corporation in South Africa's Eastern Cape seeks a Professional- level engineer to drive manufacturing excellence across multiple production lines. You will own KPIs, lead Lean initiatives, and coordinate with cross-functional teams on safety, quality and delivery targets.

The role emphasizes process discipline, leadership of teams, and effective problem-solving using structured methodologies to sustain improvements and support plant expansion and customer commitments.