Technical Specialist: Production & Process Improvement

Woodbender; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 780,000; Full time

Job summary

Woodbender is seeking a practical, hands-on Technical Specialist to strengthen our production and technical capability on the Strand/Somerset West site in the Western Cape.

The role focuses on machinery optimisation, process improvement, and production support, with valuable experience in CAD/drawings and manufacturing tooling. You will work with factory teams to reduce bottlenecks and improve throughput while ensuring manufacturability of new products.

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing, production, process, or industrial environments.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical engineering mindset.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings.
• Experience with tooling, fixtures, jigs, or production aids.
• Basic to intermediate CAD / 3D modelling ability.

Responsibilities

• Machinery and production improvement, analysing methods to identify gaps.
• Improve machine reliability, output, and operational performance.
• Support machine set-up, calibration, and optimisation.
• Investigate constraints and implement practical solutions.
• Drive hands-on problem-solving on the factory floor.

Skills

Machinery optimization

Practical engineering mindset

Strong problem-solving

Collaboration with production teams

Hands-on workshop execution

Education

Diploma preferred in Mechanical or Manufacturing

Degree not essential

Tools

CAD / 3D modelling

Job description

Careers Technical Specialist: Production & Process Improvement

Technical Specialist: Production & Process Improvement

R&D / Manufacturing Support On-Site - Strand / Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa Full-time

About the Role

We are seeking a practical, hands-on Technical Specialist to strengthen our production and technical capability.

This is not a design-led position, nor is it a basic maintenance role. The successful candidate will work closely with machinery, production teams, and technical processes to identify inefficiencies, improve output, optimise tooling and equipment performance, and implement practical improvements on the factory floor.

The role sits at the intersection of process improvement, production support, machine optimisation, and technical problem-solving. It is ideally suited to someone who is mechanically minded, solutions-driven, and confident in a workshop or manufacturing environment.

The primary focus is on improving the current production environment, with scope to contribute to new product introduction over time.

• 70% machinery optimisation, technical production support, and process improvement
• 30% tooling, jigs, fixtures, drawings/CAD, and manufacturing development support

Key Responsibilities

Machinery and production improvement

• Analyse machinery, equipment, and production methods to identify performance gaps and inefficiencies
• Improve machine reliability, consistency, output, and operational performance
• Support machine set-up, adjustment, alignment, calibration, and optimisation
• Investigate recurring production constraints and implement practical, effective solutions
• Work closely with technical and production teams to reduce bottlenecks and improve throughput
• Support the introduction of monitoring, measurement, and stronger technical process control

Process and manufacturing optimisation

• Evaluate current manufacturing processes and recommend practical improvements
• Improve production flow, repeatability, efficiency, and quality
• Support the transition of new products into production by ensuring manufacturability and process readiness
• Identify improved methods across material usage, cutting, tooling, sequencing, and output planning
• Drive hands-on problem-solving on the factory floor to improve technical and manufacturing outcomes

Tooling, jigs, fixtures, and technical development

• Design and improve jigs, fixtures, templates, tooling, and production aids
• Support the development of practical technical solutions to scale or stabilise production
• Translate ideas and technical requirements into workable manufacturing solutions
• Create and update technical drawings and basic CAD models where required
• Ensure all solutions are practical, fit for purpose, and suitable for a live production environment

Technical collaboration and implementation

• Work closely with production teams and technical stakeholders to gain buy-in for improvements
• Communicate changes clearly and practically to ensure successful implementation
• Support technical documentation, SOPs, process notes, machine settings, and workshop knowledge capture

Documentation and systems

• Help document SOPs, technical information, machine settings, tooling settings, and workshop knowledge
• Maintain accurate drawings, records, and technical documentation
• Support the development of more structured technical systems within the manufacturing environment

Ideal profile

Process-oriented and improvement-driven

• Comfortable working around machinery, production systems, and workshop environments
• Able to combine technical thinking with hands-on execution
• Confident solving real operational problems
• Collaborative, grounded, and able to work effectively with factory teams
• Emotionally intelligent enough to influence change without disrupting team dynamics

The role requires a practical, hands-on individual who can improve the performance of machines and processes in real-world settings. It calls for a focus on operational efficiency and delivering tangible results, rather than a purely theoretical, highly academic, or design-led approach.

Essential experience and skills

• Experience in a manufacturing, production, process, technical, or industrial environment
• Strong mechanical aptitude and a practical engineering mindset
• Experience working with machinery, production equipment, or technical manufacturing systems
• Proven ability to improve processes, machine performance, or operational efficiency
• Experience with tooling, fixtures, jigs, or production aids
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings
• Basic to intermediate CAD / 3D modelling ability
• Strong practical problem-solving skills
• Ability to work closely with production teams and translate technical ideas into action

Beneficial experience

• Exposure to wood manufacturing, furniture, joinery, or related environments
• Experience supporting preventative maintenance or machine upkeep
• Experience supporting process improvement initiatives
• Experience with prototype work or product refinement in a manufacturing setting
• Experience documenting procedures or technical information
• Workshop experience with machinery, fabrication, or tooling

Qualifications

• Diploma preferred in Mechanical, Production, Manufacturing, Industrial, Maintenance, or Technical Engineering
• Degree not essential
• Strong practical manufacturing, machinery, and workshop-based experience will be prioritised

Preferred Background

• Minimum National Diploma-level engineering or technical qualification preferred
• Practical workshop exposure and strong machine/process understanding highly relevant
• Exposure to furniture, wood manufacturing, machinery, fabrication, or related production environments advantageous, but not essential
• Experience supporting product industrialisation or moving products into production would be beneficial

Culture fit

The right person will likely be:

• Practical and hands-on
• Humble, steady, and team-oriented
• Motivated by improving how things work
• Willing to roll up their sleeves and work close to production
• Looking for a long-term opportunity rather than a short-term stepping stone
• Comfortable in a smaller, entrepreneurial manufacturing environment where contribution matters

Why this role is interesting

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Work directly with innovative manufacturing processes
• Influence how products and processes evolve
• Contribute meaningfully to a growing R&D function
• This is a position where technical thinking, curiosity, and practical problem solving are valued every day.