Senior Industrial Engineer - Lean Manufacturing Expert

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Paid vacation

Professional development

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Industrial Engineer with deep Lean Manufacturing expertise to lead continuous improvement across production facilities in Polokwane, Limpopo. The role requires driving Lean transformations, coaching teams, and delivering measurable gains in productivity and quality.

You will implement VSM, Kaizen events, 5S, Kanban, Poka-Yoke, and JIT, while developing SOPs and KPIs to monitor Lean initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• 6–8 years progressive experience in industrial engineering focusing on Lean Manufacturing.
• Lean tools and methodologies with measurable results.
• Lean certification (e.g., Lean Expert) desirable.
• Experience in manufacturing/heavy industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean Manufacturing strategy across all production areas.
• Identify and eliminate waste (muda) in all forms.
• Implement and optimize Lean tools (VSM, Kaizen, 5S, Kanban, Poka-Yoke, JIT).
• Conduct detailed process analyses for efficiency, cost, and quality gains.
• Train and mentor staff on Lean principles and methodologies.
• Develop and monitor KPIs to measure Lean impact.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure implementation.
• Lead Kaizen events to drive rapid improvements.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and employee involvement.
• Develop SOPs reflecting optimized Lean processes.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Process improvement

Leadership

Project management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

VSM

5S

Kaizen

Kanban

Poka-Yoke

JIT

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the mining equipment manufacturing sector, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Industrial Engineer with deep expertise in Lean Manufacturing. This role is based in Polokwane, Limpopo , and is crucial for driving operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives within their production facilities. You will lead the identification and implementation of Lean principles and methodologies to eliminate waste, improve workflow, and enhance overall productivity and quality. This is an on-site position requiring active engagement with production teams and management. We are looking for a strategic thinker with a proven track record in transforming manufacturing processes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership capabilities and the ability to inspire change across all levels of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of Lean Manufacturing strategies across all production areas.


• Identify and eliminate waste (muda) in all its forms, including overproduction, waiting, transport, excess inventory, over-processing, defects, and underutilized talent.


• Implement and optimize Lean tools such as Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Kaizen events, 5S, Kanban, Poka-Yoke, and Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory systems.


• Conduct detailed process analyses to identify opportunities for efficiency gains, cost reduction, and quality improvement.


• Train and mentor production staff and engineers on Lean principles and methodologies.


• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of Lean initiatives.


• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, quality, and supply chain, to ensure successful implementation of Lean practices.


• Facilitate and lead Kaizen events to drive rapid improvement cycles.


• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and employee involvement.


• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) that reflect optimized Lean processes.


• Ensure safety and quality standards are maintained and enhanced through Lean initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.


• Minimum of 6-8 years of progressive experience in industrial engineering, with a strong focus on Lean Manufacturing implementation.


• Proven expertise in applying various Lean tools and methodologies with measurable results.


• Lean Manufacturing certification (e.g., Lean Expert, Sh Lean) is highly desirable.


• Experience in the manufacturing or heavy industry sector is preferred.


• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.


• Excellent leadership, communication, and facilitation skills.


• Ability to drive change and influence stakeholders at all levels.


• Experience in training and mentoring teams on continuous improvement concepts.


• Proficiency in data analysis and performance tracking.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus opportunity.


• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.


• Generous paid vacation and leave.


• Opportunities for professional development and advanced Lean certifications.


• Work in a key industrial region with significant growth potential.


• Collaborative and results-oriented work environment.


• Relocation assistance may be available.