Senior Production & Operations Leader

Green Marble Recruitment Consultants; Howick; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Green Marble Recruitment Consultants is seeking a Senior Production/Plant Manager to lead strategic production planning and supervise daily operations in a heavy manufacturing environment.

The role requires 5+ years in senior production management, proven leadership of 250+ staff, and strong lean, financial acumen, and safety compliance. You will drive efficiency, uptime, and cost control while delivering on-time, quality products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Industrial/Mechanical Engineering, or related field (mandatory).
• 5+ years in senior production/plant management with experience overseeing large monthly turnover (R100-R135M+).
• Proven leadership of 250+ employees across shifts in manufacturing or heavy industry.
• High energy and stamina.
• Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing, business acumen and financials.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the production strategy aligned to business.
• Lead, inspire and develop production teams to achieve optimal performance.
• Design and implement production schedules in line with daily/weekly production plans to improve throughput, reduce delays, and ensure on-time delivery while adhering to safety standards.
• Continuously assess production capacity, resourcing and infrastructure to support growth and innovation.
• Oversee daily operations and ensure efficient utilisation of equipment, people and materials.
• Ensure optimal machine uptime and coordinate preventative maintenance to reduce downtime.
• Monitor operational KPIs and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and control costs.
• Ensure only quality-approved products are released for dispatch to customers through strict oversight of release protocols.
• Guarantee that all products meet required quality specifications and standards.
• Champion a culture of excellence and accountability, maintaining high product quality and reliability across production lines.
• Drive compliance with company policies, quality systems, and continuous improvement principles.
• Manage departmental budgets, cost control, and investment planning with strict financial discipline.
• Ensure resources are allocated efficiently, and operations remain within cost parameters without compromising quality or delivery.
• Report monthly on production performance, key variances, and strategic insight.
• Ensure compliance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, OHSA, and all other relevant legislation and company policies.
• Lead workplace safety initiatives and audits; promote a culture of health, safety, and environmental awareness.
• Stay abreast of legal and industry developments that impact production operations and proactively adapt processes.
• Oversee inventory management of raw materials and finished goods to prevent overstocking or stockouts.
• Implement inventory systems and controls to maintain accurate stock levels and enable efficient production planning.
• Collaborate with procurement and planning teams to forecast needs, manage lead times and ensure seamless operations.
• Provide daily, weekly, and monthly production reports, highlighting operational performance and areas for improvement.
• Use data-driven analysis to inform tactical and strategic decisions.
• Take high-level decisions balancing immediate priorities with long-term operational sustainability.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Financial acumen

Leadership

Production planning

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Industrial or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Green Marble Recruitment Consultants is seeking a Senior Production/Plant Manager to lead strategic production planning and supervise daily operations in a heavy manufacturing environment.

The role requires 5+ years in senior production management, proven leadership of 250+ staff, and strong lean, financial acumen, and safety compliance. You will drive efficiency, uptime, and cost control while delivering on-time, quality products.