Remote Industrial Engineering Lead

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement savings

Bonuses

Remote work flexibility

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Industrial Engineering Lead to design, develop, and implement innovative operations across its distribution network in South Africa. You will lead a team of engineers, mentor staff, and align engineering initiatives with business goals while driving cost reductions and service improvements.

The role emphasizes Lean Six Sigma, network design, and automation, with strong remote collaboration and project management skills to guide strategic initiatives from a remote

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• 7-10 years of progressive industrial engineering experience.
• 3-5 years in a leadership or senior role.
• Extensive experience in logistics, distribution, or e-commerce fulfillment.
• Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt strongly preferred).
• Proven experience leading engineering teams remotely with strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of industrial engineers in design and implementation of process improvements in distribution centers.
• Develop and execute strategic industrial engineering initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
• Oversee analysis of operational data, identify drivers, and recommend data-driven solutions.
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma projects, and automation technologies to optimize workflows.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, operations managers, and IT to align strategies.
• Manage large-scale projects with budget adherence and timely delivery.
• Develop and maintain performance metrics and dashboards for decision making.
• Foster continuous improvement and innovation within the engineering team.

Skills

Leadership experience

Analytical thinking

Remote collaboration

Project management

Education

Master's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

Engineering software

Simulation tools

Data analysis platforms

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a fast-growing e-commerce fulfillment provider, is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Remote Industrial Engineering Lead. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to lead impactful projects from anywhere in South Africa. You will be responsible for driving the design, development, and implementation of innovative operational processes and systems across our client's distribution network. This leadership role requires a strategic thinker with a proven track record in optimizing complex logistics operations, improving efficiency, and reducing costs. You will lead a team of industrial engineers, mentor junior staff, and collaborate with senior management to set operational strategies. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in Lean Six Sigma, network design, and automation technologies. As a remote leader, exceptional communication, collaboration, and project management skills are essential. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of logistics operations for a dynamic company in a flexible, remote work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of industrial engineers in the design and implementation of process improvements within distribution centers.
• Develop and execute strategic industrial engineering initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service levels.
• Oversee the analysis of operational data, identify key performance drivers, and recommend data-driven solutions.
• Drive the implementation of Lean principles, Six Sigma projects, and automation technologies to optimize workflows.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, operations managers, and IT teams to align engineering strategies with business objectives.
• Manage large-scale industrial engineering projects, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and achievement of desired outcomes.
• Develop and maintain operational performance metrics and reporting dashboards for effective decision-making.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the engineering team and operations.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies in logistics, supply chain, and industrial engineering.
• Facilitate remote workshops and training sessions for engineering and operational teams.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in industrial engineering, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership or senior role.
• Extensive experience in logistics, distribution, or e-commerce fulfillment operations.
• Expertise in Lean Six Sigma methodologies (Black Belt certification strongly preferred).
• Proven experience in leading engineering teams and managing complex projects remotely.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent virtual communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency with relevant engineering software, simulation tools, and data analysis platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to drive change and influence decision-making at senior levels.
• Self-starter with a strong sense of ownership and accountability in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement savings, and significant performance-based bonuses. This fully remote role provides exceptional flexibility and the opportunity to work from anywhere in South Africa. You will have access to cutting-edge tools and technologies, and ample opportunities for career advancement and leadership development. The position is associated with the Paarl, Western Cape region but is fully remote.