Senior Process Improvement Engineer

Placements24; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work setup support

Professional development

Generous annual leave

Performance-based bonuses

Online learning resources

Collaborative remote culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Process Improvement Engineer to drive operational excellence across business units in a fully remote, permanent role within South Africa. You will lead cross-functional projects, apply lean Six Sigma methodologies, and use statistical analysis to reduce waste, defects, and cycle times.

You will mentor junior engineers, develop standardized work, and report outcomes to senior management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process improvement or operational excellence.
• Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma preferred.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (Minitab, JMP) and statistical methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional projects focused on process optimization and efficiency gains.
• Apply lean Six Sigma methodologies (DMAIC, Kaizen) to reduce waste and defects.
• Conduct process mapping, data analysis, and root cause investigations.
• Develop and implement standardized work procedures, best practices, and metrics.
• Facilitate workshops and training to promote continuous improvement.
• Utilize SPC techniques to monitor process performance and trends.
• Collaborate with IT and operations to implement tech-enabled improvements.
• Prepare reports and presentations for senior management.

Skills

Process improvement

Data analysis

Project management

Leadership

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (preferred)

Tools

Minitab

JMP

Job description

About the Role Our client is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Process Improvement Engineer to join their dynamic team. This is a fully remote, permanent position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will be instrumental in driving operational excellence, optimizing workflows, and implementing sustainable improvements across various business units. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of lean manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and statistical analysis. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, providing expert guidance and leadership in identifying bottlenecks, reducing waste, and enhancing overall productivity. This role demands a proactive approach, strong analytical skills, and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. As a remote-first employee, you will leverage cutting-edge collaboration tools to stay connected and drive impactful change from your home office.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage cross-functional projects focused on process optimization and efficiency gains.
• Apply lean Six Sigma methodologies (e.g., DMAIC, Kaizen) to identify and eliminate waste, reduce defects, and improve process flow.
• Conduct detailed process mapping, data analysis, and root cause investigations to pinpoint areas for improvement.
• Develop and implement standardized work procedures, best practices, and performance metrics.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions to foster a culture of continuous improvement within the organization.
• Utilize statistical process control (SPC) techniques to monitor process performance and identify trends.
• Collaborate with IT and operations teams to implement technological solutions that support process improvements.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations to communicate project findings, recommendations, and results to senior management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process improvement, operational excellence, or a similar role.
• Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Minitab, JMP, or similar statistical software.
• Experience with process simulation and modeling software is a plus.
• Excellent project management, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse teams remotely.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and mentoring junior engineers.
• Must be eligible to work remotely in South Africa.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive remote work setup support.
• Opportunities for professional development and advanced certifications.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Performance-based bonuses.
• Access to online learning platforms and resources.
• A collaborative and supportive remote work environment.