Richards Bay FMCG Operations Leader — Lean & Growth

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary & bonus

Medical Insurance

Retirement plan

Relocation assistance

Leadership development

Leave & sick days

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the Richards Bay production facility in KwaZulu-Natal, FMCG sector. You will drive safety, quality, and cost efficiency while coordinating with multiple departments to meet production targets.

This role demands a strategic leader with Lean/Six Sigma expertise, 7–10 years in manufacturing management, and a proven ability to optimize processes, mentor teams, and uphold high standards of output and product quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Industrial/Chemical) or related field.
• 7–10 years in operations/manufacturing management in FMCG.
• Proven ability to improve performance and lead large teams.
• Strong knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma principles.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all daily manufacturing operations to meet production targets and quality standards.
• Develop strategies to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and boost productivity.
• Lead and develop a diverse team of supervisors and operators.
• Ensure adherence to safety, quality, and environmental policies.
• Manage production budget and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Drive Lean and continuous improvement initiatives across plant.
• Coordinate with supply chain, procurement and QA for seamless operations.
• Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks and corrective actions.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Data-driven decision making

ERP/MES familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MES

ERP

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the Richards Bay production facility in KwaZulu-Natal, FMCG sector. You will drive safety, quality, and cost efficiency while coordinating with multiple departments to meet production targets.

This role demands a strategic leader with Lean/Six Sigma expertise, 7–10 years in manufacturing management, and a proven ability to optimize processes, mentor teams, and uphold high standards of output and product quality.