Senior Operations Excellence Engineer

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life cover

Pension fund contribution

Relocation assistance

Professional development

Company laptop and mobile phone

Paid annual leave

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is assisting a leading mining services provider in Kimberley to find a Senior Operations Excellence Engineer. The role focuses on driving continuous improvement across mining and processing operations, applying Lean, Six Sigma, and other CI frameworks to deliver efficiency, cost reductions, and safety improvements.

You will mentor teams, lead initiatives, map processes, and implement sustainable solutions in a hybrid setting with on-site and remote analysis support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Mining Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in operations, continuous improvement, or industrial engineering, preferably in mining/heavy industry.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt preferred.
• Proven track record leading and delivering operational improvement projects.
• Strong understanding of mining or related industrial processes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and facilitation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and champion operations excellence initiatives across the company.
• Analyze current processes to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
• Develop and implement strategies using Lean, Six Sigma, and other CI methodologies.
• Conduct process mapping, value stream analysis, and root cause analysis.
• Develop and implement SOPs and best practices.
• Train and coach site personnel on CI tools and techniques.
• Monitor KPIs related to safety, productivity, cost, and quality.
• Facilitate workshops and Kaizen events to drive rapid improvements.
• Collaborate with site management to implement improvement projects.
• Prepare reports and presentations on improvement outcomes.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Process improvement

Root cause analysis

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree (IE/ME/Mining)

Tools

Process improvement tools

Lean tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading mining services provider, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Operations Excellence Engineer to join their team in Kimberley . This role is dedicated to driving operational improvements and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across various mining and processing operations. You will be responsible for analyzing existing processes, identifying opportunities for efficiency gains, cost reduction, and enhanced safety performance. Utilizing methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and other operational excellence frameworks, you will lead initiatives, mentor teams, and implement sustainable solutions. This hybrid role offers a dynamic work environment where you can leverage your expertise to make a significant impact on operational efficiency and productivity in the heart of the Northern Cape .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and champion operations excellence initiatives across the company.
• Analyze current operational processes, identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement.
• Develop and implement strategies using Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Conduct process mapping, value stream analysis, and root cause analysis to drive solutions.
• Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and best practices.
• Train and coach site personnel and teams on operational excellence tools and techniques.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, productivity, cost, and quality.
• Facilitate workshops and Kaizen events to drive rapid improvements.
• Collaborate with site management and operational teams to ensure successful implementation of improvement projects.
• Prepare reports and presentations on improvement initiatives and their outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in operations, continuous improvement, or industrial engineering, preferably in the mining or heavy industry sector.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt is highly preferred.
• Proven track record of leading and successfully implementing operational improvement projects.
• Strong understanding of mining or related industrial processes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and facilitation skills.
• Proficiency in process improvement tools and software.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid model, balancing remote analysis with on-site observations and implementation support.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Kimberley , Northern Cape .

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Performance-based annual bonus.
• Comprehensive health insurance and life cover.
• Generous pension fund contribution.
• Relocation assistance package.
• Opportunities for professional development and further certifications.
• A challenging and rewarding work environment.
• Company laptop and mobile phone.
• Paid annual leave.
• Potential for career advancement within a growing organization.