Production Setter

Network Contracting; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Contracting is seeking a hands-on Production Setter to work directly with production machinery. The role requires taking responsibility for machine set-ups, changeovers and routine fault-finding while supporting operators and the broader production team.

The ideal candidate will be mechanically minded, reliable, safety-conscious and dedicated to quality, able to work independently yet collaboratively within a shift-based manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Experience as a machine setter in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with set-ups, changeovers and basic adjustments.

Responsibilities

• Set up, change over and adjust production equipment per approved specs.
• Start up machinery and verify tooling, settings, guards and materials before production.
• Monitor machine performance, output and product quality.
• Minimise downtime, rejects and production losses through adjustments.
• Troubleshoot routine faults and escalate maintenance when needed.
• Complete production, downtime, changeover, maintenance and quality records accurately.
• Support operators and supervisors in meeting production plans and quality standards.
• Maintain a safe, clean and organised work area.
• Follow safety, quality and production procedures.
• Communicate issues during shift handovers to the team.

Skills

Machine setter

Production setter

Mechanical aptitude

Fault-finding

Quality awareness

Teamwork

Shift work

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Set up, change over and adjust production/assembly equipment according to approved specifications.
• Start up machinery and verify correct tooling, settings, guards and materials prior to production.
• Monitor machine performance, production output and product quality.
• Make permitted machine and process adjustments to minimise downtime, rejects and production losses.
• Troubleshoot routine machine and process faults and escape maintenance issues when required.
• Complete production, downtime, changeover, maintenance and quality documentation accurately.
• Support machine operators and production supervisors in achieving production plans, efficiency targets and quality standards.
• Maintain a safe, clean and organised working environment.
• Follow company safety, quality and production procedures.
• Participate effectively in shift handovers and communicate machine/process issues to the relevant team members.

Required Skills & Experience

• Previous experience as a Machine Setter, Production Setter or similar role within a manufacturing environment.
• Plastics, packaging or related manufacturing experience would be advantageous.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with practical fault-finding and problem-solving ability.
• Proven ability to perform machine set-ups, changeovers and basic machine adjustments safely and independently.
• Working knowledge of production documentation, quality inspections, housekeeping and basic maintenance reporting.
• Good numerical ability and strong attention to detail.
• Accurate record-keeping and documentation skills.
• Reliable, disciplined and able to work effectively under production pressure.
• Ability to meet production output and efficiency targets.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Willingness and ability to work shifts, including night and weekend shifts when required.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a hands-on, mechanically minded Production Setter who is comfortable working directly with production machinery and taking responsibility for machine set-ups, changeovers, adjustments and routine fault-finding. The ideal candidate will be technically strong, reliable, safety-conscious and quality-focused, with the ability to work independently while also supporting operators and the wider production team.