SENIOR PRODUCTION PLANNER / CO-ORDINATOR (INDUSTRIALENGINEER) - EAST RAND

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

Job summary

A leading manufacturing firm in Gauteng is seeking a Senior Production Manager to lead the transition to efficient production for retail sector fixtures. The ideal candidate has 10+ years in a custom manufacturing environment and strong skills in ERP systems and lean practices. Key responsibilities include managing production lines, optimizing workflows, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives. This role offers the chance to significantly impact operations in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in a custom or project-based manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading production in low-volume-high-variety settings.
• High proficiency in production software and digital tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead and optimize steel and timber production lines.
• Develop and implement production strategies aligned with growth.
• Design and deploy a centralized production planning system.

Skills

Lean manufacturing principles

ERP/MRP systems implementation

Production scheduling

Change management

Leadership

Education

Degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

Production software

Excel

Digital dashboards

Job description

Job Profile

We are seeking a strategic, experienced Senior Production Manager to lead and professionalize our specialized steel and timber manufacturing operations for retail sector fixtures and fittings. The ideal candidate will have strong manufacturing industry experience, preferably with an Industrial Engineering background, and a proven track record in ERP system implementation, lean production, and just‑in‑time (JIT) practices.

This role is critical to transitioning the business from a reactive, ad‑hoc manufacturing approach to a streamlined, high‑efficiency operation. You will play a pivotal role in reducing errors and costs, increasing throughput, optimizing staff utilization, and improving scheduling and workflow planning.

Job Description

Position Title :

Senior Production Manager

Reporting To :

Managing Director / Executive Committee

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Production Management

• Lead, manage, and optimize all steel and timber production lines to meet quality, cost, and delivery targets.
• Develop and implement production strategies aligned with company growth and client delivery expectations.
• Overhaul existing reaction‑based production model and instil systematic, data‑driven planning and prioritization processes.

2. Planning & Workflow Optimization

• Design and deploy a centralized production planning system, integrating all job cards and production schedules across departments.
• Prioritize and schedule jobs to ensure optimal resource utilization and deadline adherence.
• Eliminate bottlenecks and cultivate a systematic prioritization culture through structured job tracking and coordination.

3. ERP & Systems Implementation

• Select and implement an ERP or MRP system tailored to custom manufacturing workflows.
• Lead digitization efforts including job tracking, inventory management, production dashboards, and real‑time performance metrics.

4. Lean Manufacturing & JIT Practices

• Apply lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste, minimize rework, and improve efficiency.
• Introduce just‑in‑time (JIT) production where appropriate to reduce overproduction, storage costs, and material waste.

5. People & Performance Management

• Manage and coach departmental supervisors, team leaders, and production teams (both timber and steel).
• Monitor performance KPIs (output, errors, downtime, overtime, etc.) and implement corrective actions where needed.
• Right‑size staffing levels to align with demand while minimizing overtime and excess capacity.

6. Quality Assurance & Risk Mitigation

• Reduce error rates and production defects through process control, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with costing, design, and installation teams to ensure manufacturability and sequencing integrity.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in a custom or project‑based manufacturing environment (e.g., shopfitting, furniture, steel / timber fabrication, engineering products).
• Degree in Industrial Engineering or related discipline is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in:
• Leading production in a multi‑product, low‑volume‑high‑variety environment.
• Implementing ERP / MRP systems from concept to go‑live.
• Applying lean, JIT, and continuous improvement principles in real‑world settings.
• Strong leadership, communication, and change management skills.
• Deep understanding of the challenges in deadline‑driven, specialized manufacturing.
• High proficiency in production software, Excel, and digital dashboards.

Success Measures

• Reduction in overtime and staffing inefficiencies.
• Reduction in error / rework rates.
• Improved lead time adherence.
• Increased production throughput and order tracking visibility.
• Successful implementation of ERP / MRP and planning systems.