Senior Production Manager - Steel & Timber Manufacturing Plant

Level Up; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing company in Gauteng is looking for a Senior Production Manager to transform their production environment, focusing on efficiency and system-driven operations. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in custom manufacturing, a degree in Industrial Engineering, and proven expertise in leading diverse teams and implementing ERP systems. This pivotal role aims to establish structured workflows and optimise operations, ensuring quality and cost efficiency.

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in custom or project-based manufacturing environment.
• Expertise in leading multi-product, low-volume, high-variety manufacturing operations.
• Proven ability in implementing ERP / MRP systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and optimise steel and timber production lines.
• Design and deploy a centralised production planning system.
• Apply Lean, Kaizen, and JIT principles to minimise waste.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

JIT principles

Leadership

ERP / MRP system implementation

Analytical mindset

Education

Degree in Industrial Engineering or equivalent qualification

Tools

ERP systems

Performance dashboards

Excel

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking astrategic, experienced Senior Production Managerto lead and professionalise ourspecialised steel and timber manufacturing operationsserving the retail fixtures and fittings sector.

This pivotal role will drive the transformation from a reactive, ad hoc production environment to ahigh-efficiency, system-driven operation.

The successful candidate will combine strong manufacturing expertise, an analytical mindset, and exceptional leadership skills to improve workflow, accuracy, cost control, and delivery reliability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Production Leadership

Lead, manage, and optimise allsteel and timber production linesto achieve quality, cost, and delivery targets.

Develop and execute production strategies aligned with company growth and client expectations.

Replace reaction-based operations with structured,data-driven planningand decision-making frameworks.

2. Planning & Workflow Optimisation

Design and deploy a centralised production planning system, integrating job cards and schedules across departments.

Prioritise and allocate jobs to ensure optimal resource utilisation and deadline adherence.

Eliminate bottlenecks and improve coordination between departments through structured scheduling and accountability systems.

3. ERP & Systems Implementation

Lead the selection and implementation of a fit-for-purpose ERP / MRP systemtailored for project-based manufacturing.

Drive digitisation of job tracking, inventory control, dashboards, and real-time KPI reporting.

4. Lean Manufacturing & JIT Practices

ApplyLean, Kaizen, and Just-In-Time (JIT)principles to minimise waste, rework, and material holding costs.

Introduce continuous improvement initiatives and measurable process enhancements.

5. People & Performance Management

Manage and mentor production supervisors, team leaders, and manufacturing staff.

Establish clear performance KPIs and drive accountability for productivity, quality, and efficiency.

Right-size teams to align with operational demand and reduce overtime dependency.

6. Quality Assurance & Risk Management

Reduce error rates through robust process control, root cause analysis, and proactive quality interventions.

Collaborate closely with costing, design, and installation teams to ensure manufacturability and production sequencing integrity.

Requirements

10+ years experiencein a custom or project-based manufacturing environment (shopfitting, furniture, steel / timber fabrication, or engineering production).

Degree in Industrial Engineeringor equivalent qualification (strongly preferred).

Proven expertise in :

• Leading multi-product, low-volumehigh-variety manufacturing operations.
• ERP / MRP system implementation (from selection to go-live).
• Lean manufacturing, JIT, and continuous improvement practices.
• Advanced digital literacy inproduction systems, Excel, and performance dashboards.
• Strong leadership, communication, andchange managementabilities.

Key Success Measures

• Reduction in overtime, rework, and production errors.
• Improved workflow visibility and lead-time adherence.
• Enhanced throughput and capacity utilisation.
• Successful implementation of an ERP / MRP platform and integrated planning system.