Senior Industrial Engineer, Manufacturing Excellence

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Annual leave

Professional development

Bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Industrial Engineer with a focus on Manufacturing Excellence to join their Richards Bay team in KwaZulu-Natal. You will drive continuous improvement across manufacturing operations, implementing Lean manufacturing principles and waste reduction, and collaborate with production and quality control to raise efficiency and quality.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and at least six years’ experience in industrial engineering with a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 6+ years in industrial engineering with focus on manufacturing processes.
• Experience with Lean (5S, VSM, JIT, Poka-Yoke) and Six Sigma (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred).
• Proven ability to lead and execute improvement projects with measurable results.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and training abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement projects using Lean and Six Sigma.
• Analyze processes to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks.
• Develop and implement process improvements to boost productivity and quality.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and workshops.
• Develop SOPs and standardized work procedures.
• Monitor KPIs for manufacturing operations.
• Train production staff on CI tools and techniques.
• Collaborate with engineering and production for new processes.
• Conduct regular process audits.
• Contribute to long-term manufacturing strategies.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Data analysis

Project management

Cross-functional teamwork

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

MS Excel

Statistical software

Data visualization tools

ERP systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a motivated Senior Industrial Engineer with a focus on Manufacturing Excellence to join their growing team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA. This role is crucial for driving continuous improvement initiatives, optimizing production processes, and ensuring the highest standards of quality and efficiency across manufacturing operations. You will be responsible for implementing Lean Manufacturing principles, identifying and eliminating waste, and fostering a culture of operational excellence. The successful candidate will work closely with production teams, quality control, and management to achieve ambitious operational targets. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a significant industrial player in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage continuous improvement projects using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Analyze manufacturing processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for optimization.
• Develop and implement process improvements to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve quality.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and workshops to drive problem-solving and innovation.
• Develop and standardize work procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and best practices.
• Implement and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for manufacturing operations.
• Train and mentor production staff on continuous improvement tools and techniques.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to ensure seamless integration of new processes and technologies.
• Conduct regular process audits to ensure adherence to established standards and identify further improvement opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of long-term manufacturing strategies and roadmaps.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in industrial engineering, with a strong focus on manufacturing processes and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated expertise in Lean Manufacturing tools (e.g., 5S, VSM, JIT, Poka-Yoke) and Six Sigma methodologies (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred).
• Proven ability to lead and execute improvement projects, delivering measurable results.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and develop actionable insights.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and training skills.
• Proficiency in project management and relevant software.
• Experience with data analysis and visualization tools.
• Ability to work effectively within a cross-functional team environment.
• A proactive and results-driven mindset.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, including performance incentives and potential for annual bonuses. Comprehensive benefits include health insurance, retirement savings contributions, and generous annual leave. Opportunities for professional development and advancement within the company are actively supported. The role provides a stimulating work environment with exposure to innovative manufacturing practices.

This position is located in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA, offering a chance to be part of a key industrial hub.