Senior Automotive Operations Leader — Lean & Growth

Placements24; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement fund

Paid vacation

Training & development

Employee wellness program

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting an experienced Operations Manager for our client, a leading Tier 1 automotive supplier, at its Randburg facility in Gauteng. You will lead manufacturing and operational activities, drive production efficiency, ensure quality output, and manage costs while mentoring supervisors and frontline teams.

The role requires deep knowledge of lean manufacturing, JIT, Six Sigma, and MES/ERP systems, with a track record of continuous improvement, budget control, and safe,

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in operations management within automotive manufacturing.
• Proven leadership of production facilities and teams in Gauteng region.
• Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement.
• Experience with MES and ERP software; familiarity with IATF 16949.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily manufacturing operations to meet production targets, quality, and delivery schedules.
• Lead and develop production supervisors and staff, fostering high performance and safety.
• Implement lean manufacturing principles and CI initiatives to boost efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with IATF 16949 and safety/environmental regulations.
• Manage departmental budgets and control expenditures.
• Collaborate with engineering, QA, supply chain, and maintenance to resolve issues.
• Monitor KPIs for production, efficiency, safety, quality; take corrective actions.
• Drive safety and well-being initiatives on the production floor.
• Manage inventory and material flow to support scheduling.
• Participate in capacity planning and technology upgrades.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Continuous improvement

Team management

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial) or related field

Tools

MES

ERP software

Job description

Placements24 is recruiting an experienced Operations Manager for our client, a leading Tier 1 automotive supplier, at its Randburg facility in Gauteng. You will lead manufacturing and operational activities, drive production efficiency, ensure quality output, and manage costs while mentoring supervisors and frontline teams.

The role requires deep knowledge of lean manufacturing, JIT, Six Sigma, and MES/ERP systems, with a track record of continuous improvement, budget control, and safe,