Senior Production Manager - Steel & Timber Manufacturing Plant

Level-Up; Germiston; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing company in Germiston seeks an experienced Senior Production Manager to lead and enhance operations. The successful candidate will transform production into a high-efficiency, system-driven environment, leveraging expertise in manufacturing and leadership. Responsibilities include optimizing production lines, implementing an ERP system, and ensuring quality assurance. The ideal applicant has over 10 years of experience in project-based manufacturing and proficiency in lean practices.

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in custom or project-based manufacturing.
• Proven expertise in leading multi-product, low-volume manufacturing operations.
• Experience with ERP/MRP implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and optimise steel and timber production lines.
• Design and deploy a centralised production planning system.
• Implement Lean and JIT practices to minimise waste.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Change management

Analytical mindset

Digital literacy in production systems

Education

Degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Excel

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking a strategic, experienced Senior Production Manager to lead and professionalise our specialised steel and timber manufacturing operations serving the retail fixtures and fittings sector.

This pivotal role will drive the transformation from a reactive, ad hoc production environment to a high-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 all steel and timber production lines to 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 planning and 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 system tailored for project-based manufacturing.

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

4. Lean Manufacturing & JIT Practices

• Apply Lean, 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 experience in a custom or project-based manufacturing environment (shopfitting, furniture, steel/timber fabrication, or engineering production).

• Degree in Industrial Engineering or 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 in production systems, Excel, and performance dashboards.

• Strong leadership, communication, and change management abilities.

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.