Production Manager (Automotive)

Hlabahlosile Trading Projects; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive company in Pretoria is seeking a skilled Production Manager to oversee production planning and operations. The ideal candidate will have at least 3-5 years of manufacturing experience and a relevant tertiary qualification. Responsibilities include supervising production staff, ensuring on-time deliveries, and adhering to quality management processes. This position offers a dynamic work environment where proactive problem solving and teamwork are key.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in manufacturing and planning.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Proactive individual with ownership of tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist in production planning and operator supervision.
• Coordinate with supply chain and optimize production processes.
• Provide guidance and training to production staff.

Skills

Team player

Time management

Strong organizational skills

Excellent documentation skills

Analytical skills

Education

Relevant Tertiary Qualification in Production Management

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Overview

Production Manager (Automotive) The Production Manager will be responsible to : Assist the Operations manager with production planning and operator supervision to ensure on time deliveries of modified vehicles to customers without any delays or defects.

Key Principles

By using Smooth Flow principles to expedite the flow of labour and materials meeting the production schedule, through Planning and Monitoring the progress of work, inventory levels and by addressing production problems with continuous improvement initiatives.

Functional Responsibilities

Production Planning and Organizing : Develop and implement production plans and schedules to ensure that production targets are met, and customer orders are delivered on time and defect free.

Create, Monitor and Manage all Production documentation - Job Cards for Orders Received, Work Instructions and Quality Documentation.

Coordinate with supply chain / purchasing / finance departments to optimize the production processes and smooth flow of production in the workshop – including labour and inventory.

Set daily Objectives and communicate them to operators to maximise labour recovery of the Organise workflow by assigning responsibilities and preparing schedules and monitor. To assist the Operations Manager with the coordination of production plans to minimise downtime and maximise output.

Obtaining information from sales department regarding order intake and future production commitments to meet the customers' requirements and production deadlines.

Preparing Monthly / Weekly Production reports and forecasts from sales orders. Ensure efficient and accurate materials management by Production Staff Supervision : Directly supervise and manage the activities of production. Provide guidance, training, and performance feedback to ensure the team meets production goals and develop a competent and efficient team, facilitate training and development, and monitor individual operator performance to ensure business objectives are achieved.

Foster a positive and collaborative work environment. Motivate and lead the production team to achieve performance. Provide ongoing training, updating, and capturing of the skills matrix to enhance up-skilling and multi‑skilling of operators on different production fitments.

Effectively communicate production goals, expectations, and updates to the production team and upper management.

Other responsibilities: to implement the requirements of all ISO standards and the company quality management system as defined in the quality manual, management procedures, processes, and operating instructions.

Ensure that safety protocols and regulations are followed to create a safe working environment, reporting, and addressing any safety concerns promptly.

Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency. Investigate production problems and elevate to ensure fitments are done as per Work Instruction and Fitment. Ensure that production processes comply with industry requirements and quality standards. Maintain safety and housekeeping: 5S (Workshop, equipment, vehicles) Smooth Flow Activity.

Education / Certification

Relevant Tertiary Qualification in one of the following fields: Production Management or Production Planning, Operations Management.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Minimum 3-5 Years experience in manufacturing and planning experience. Strong team player. Computer skills – MS Excel intermediate to advanced level. Time study line. Business oriented mindset, self‑driven and disciplined working. Process‑oriented.

Strong organisational, time management, and people skills. Excellent documentation skills with experience of creating support. Strong time management and the ability to prioritise tasks, stick to the plan yet remain flexible to adapt to targets of the factory.

Ability to work under pressure and meet challenging deadlines. Assertive and proactive attitude to prevent and resolve issues. Proactive person who is responsible and takes ownership of tasks and sees them through to completion.

Desirable

Automotive experience. Demonstrated analytical, problem solving and change management skills.

Competencies

Leadership – Forward thinking and proactive with judgment, direction setting and achieving of objectives. Able to lead management and operational teams, creating a climate in which team members have a desire for results and are able to realise their potential.

Achieving Results – Results driven, able to make sound judgments over competing priorities, use initiative and actively assess the course of action to set and accomplish targets.

Analytical Thinking – Able to simplify complex problems, processes or projects into component parts and explore and evaluate them systematically.

Flexibility – Adapts easily to change and responds flexibly to a changing and evolving environment, provides momentum when driving change and involves others when building plans for change.

Resilience – Ability to work under pressure and manage personal effectiveness in face of challenges. Demonstrates an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, energy, and motivation.

Teamwork – Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse and multi‑cultural workforce in a variety of locations, working cooperatively with the ability to build and contribute to a team as well as work independently within a given framework.

Communication – Strong communication, influencing and presentation skills both verbal and written. Able to get one's message understood by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience.