Senior Industrial Engineer - Plant Layout & Efficiency

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Performance bonuses

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, seeks a Senior Industrial Engineer to lead plant layout and efficiency initiatives. On-site role focused on optimizing factory floor operations, material flow, and production throughput.

You will redesign layouts, implement lean and Six Sigma, conduct time and motion studies, and mentor junior staff while coordinating with production, maintenance, and management. A master's in IE and 8+ years of manufacturing experience are required; Black Belt is

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years progressive experience in industrial engineering within manufacturing.
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma expertise; Black Belt desirable.
• CAD (AutoCAD/SolidWorks) and simulation tools (Arena, FlexSim) experience.
• Strong analytical, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ergonomics and workplace safety design experience.
• Legally eligible to work in South Africa; on-site Stellenbosch role.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and redesign of plant layouts and material flow.
• Identify bottlenecks and waste using value stream mapping.
• Develop efficiency programs leveraging Lean, Six Sigma, and related methods.
• Conduct time and motion studies to establish standard work.
• Oversee new equipment integration into plant infrastructure.
• Collaborate with production, maintenance, engineering, and management.
• Maintain process documentation including flowcharts and SOPs.
• Mentor junior engineers on layout design and optimization.
• Monitor KPIs for plant efficiency, throughput, and cost reduction.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Ergonomics

Cross-functional collaboration

Team mentoring

Education

Master's degree in Industrial Engineering

Six Sigma Black Belt (desirable)

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Arena

FlexSim

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading manufacturing entity based in the picturesque town of Stellenbosch, Western Cape , is seeking an accomplished Senior Industrial Engineer to spearhead initiatives in Plant Layout and Efficiency . This is a critical on-site role demanding a visionary approach to optimizing factory floor operations, material flow, and overall production efficiency. The successful candidate will be responsible for redesigning and improving plant layouts, implementing lean manufacturing techniques, and driving productivity gains. If you are a seasoned professional passionate about operational excellence and tangible results within a Stellenbosch -based facility, this is an excellent opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and redesign of plant layouts, workstation arrangements, and material flow paths to maximize efficiency, safety, and space utilization.
• Analyze existing production processes, identifying bottlenecks, waste, and opportunities for improvement using methods such as value stream mapping.
• Develop and implement comprehensive efficiency improvement programs, leveraging Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other relevant methodologies.
• Conduct detailed time and motion studies to establish standard work procedures and optimize task performance.
• Oversee the implementation of new equipment and technologies, ensuring seamless integration into the existing plant infrastructure.
• Collaborate closely with production, maintenance, engineering, and management teams to align layout and efficiency projects with business objectives.
• Develop and maintain detailed process documentation, including flowcharts, SOPs, and ergonomic assessments.
• Train and mentor junior engineering staff on best practices in layout design and process optimization.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to plant efficiency, throughput, and cost reduction, reporting on progress and outcomes.
• Ensure all designs and implemented changes comply with health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in industrial engineering, with a significant focus on plant layout, process design, and efficiency improvement in manufacturing environments.
• Expertise in Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma (Black Belt certification highly desirable), and other continuous improvement tools.
• Advanced proficiency in CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks) for layout design and simulation tools (e.g., Arena, FlexSim).
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with a proven ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Experience in ergonomics and workplace safety design.
• Must be legally authorized to work in South Africa and committed to an on-site role in Stellenbosch, Western Cape .

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, with an expected range of R per annum , commensurate with extensive experience and expertise.
• This role includes a comprehensive benefits suite, such as medical aid, a provident fund, performance bonuses, and substantial opportunities for professional growth and development.
• The position is based in Stellenbosch , providing a stable and rewarding career in a dynamic industrial setting, contributing directly to the company's operational success.