Senior Industrial Engineer - Operational Excellence

Placements24; Richards Bay; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Medical, retirement contributions, and

Life insurance

Job summary

Placements24 in KwaZulu-Natal near Richards Bay seeks a Senior Industrial Engineer focused on Operational Excellence. You will lead lean and Six Sigma initiatives to improve safety, efficiency, and profitability in a large-scale chemical/petrochemical operation.

Responsibilities include mentoring engineers, analyzing production data, optimizing workflows, and developing SOPs and dashboards. A Master’s in IE and 7+ years of experience, with Black Belt, are highly preferred, along with strong

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or related field
• 7+ years progressive experience in industrial engineering with focus on operational excellence, lean and Six Sigma
• Black Belt certification strongly preferred; Master Black Belt a plus
• Proven track record leading complex continuous improvement projects
• Experience with data analysis tools (Minitab, JMP) and statistical methods
• Strong leadership, facilitation and change management skills
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Superior communication and presentation skills to influence stakeholders at all levels
• Experience in chemical or petrochemical industries is highly desirable

Responsibilities

• Lead lean manufacturing and Six Sigma projects across operational areas
• Develop strategies for waste reduction, process optimization and cost control
• Analyze production data, identify trends and implement data-driven solutions
• Design and optimize workflows, plant layouts and material handling systems
• Develop and maintain SOPs, performance metrics and dashboards
• Coach and mentor plant personnel and junior engineers on CI methodologies
• Conduct process audits and risk assessments to ensure safety and best practices
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance and management to drive change
• Research and recommend new technologies to enhance efficiency
• Prepare reports and present findings to senior leadership

Skills

Leadership

Facilitation

Change management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Decision making

Continuous improvement

Project management

Education

Master's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

Minitab

JMP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the chemical and petrochemical industry, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Industrial Engineer focused on Operational Excellence to join their team, primarily supporting operations near Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal . This role is critical for driving continuous improvement initiatives, implementing lean manufacturing principles, and optimizing production processes to enhance safety, efficiency, and profitability. The successful candidate will lead complex projects, mentor junior engineers, and foster a culture of excellence across the organization. This is a significant opportunity to make a lasting impact on a large-scale industrial operation from a remote capacity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate lean manufacturing and Six Sigma projects across various operational areas.
• Develop and implement strategies for waste reduction, process optimization, and cost control.
• Analyze production data, identify trends, and implement data-driven solutions for performance improvement.
• Design and optimize workflows, plant layouts, and material handling systems.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), performance metrics, and dashboards.
• Coach and mentor plant personnel and junior engineers on continuous improvement methodologies.
• Conduct process audits and risk assessments to ensure adherence to best practices and safety standards.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and management teams to drive change and achieve operational goals.
• Research and recommend new technologies and methodologies to enhance operational efficiency.
• Prepare detailed reports and present findings and recommendations to senior leadership.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in industrial engineering, with a strong focus on operational excellence, lean, and Six Sigma.
• Black Belt certification in Six Sigma is strongly preferred; Master Black Belt is a plus.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and implementing complex continuous improvement projects.
• Extensive experience with data analysis tools (e.g., Minitab, JMP) and statistical methods.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, and change management skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Superior communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience in the chemical or petrochemical industry is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, a substantial performance bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, retirement contributions, and life insurance.
• They provide excellent opportunities for professional growth through advanced training programs, certifications, and participation in industry conferences.