Manufacturing Executive

Location: Kempton Park, Gauteng
Reporting to: Managing Director

Do you bring a strong track record as a manufacturing executive, driven by operational excellence, engineering leadership, and delivering measurable business results?

Our client, a respected organisation within the manufacturing and engineering industry, is looking for an experienced Manufacturing Executive to take ownership of and enhance end-to-end manufacturing operations and overall operational performance.

This senior leadership role suits a commercially focused manufacturing leader who excels in managing large-scale operations, embedding continuous improvement, and building capable, high-performing teams in a complex manufacturing setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall manufacturing strategy to support business growth, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
• Drive operational excellence across manufacturing, productivity, quality, safety, and delivery performance.
• Manage business performance, profitability, cost optimisation, and operational efficiency.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Lead Industry 4.0, automation, and digital transformation projects across manufacturing operations.
• Ensure compliance with quality, health, safety, environmental, and risk management standards.
• Improve customer delivery performance through efficient production planning and execution.
• Develop and mentor leadership teams while fostering a high-performance and continuous improvement culture.
• Build strong relationships with executive leadership and key stakeholders across the business.
• Drive organisational transformation through data-driven decision-making and strategic leadership.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced Diploma (BTech equivalent or higher) in: Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Chemical Engineering
• Minimum 15 years' manufacturing leadership experience.
• Minimum 8 years' experience in senior leadership or executive-level manufacturing roles.
• Proven success leading large-scale, complex manufacturing operations.
• Strong experience managing operational performance, productivity, profitability, and cost control.
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement programmes.
• Strong people leadership, organisational development, and change management experience.

Target Industries

Experience within one or more of the following industries:

• Plastics Manufacturing
• Polymer Manufacturing
• Packaging Manufacturing
• Heavy Industrial Manufacturing
• Automotive Components Manufacturing
• Chemicals Manufacturing
• FMCG Manufacturing
• Mining Equipment Manufacturing
• Engineering and Industrial Products Manufacturing

Key Competencies

• Executive Leadership
• Manufacturing Strategy
• Operational Excellence
• Lean Manufacturing
• Continuous Improvement
• Industry 4.0 & Digital Transformation
• Engineering Leadership
• Commercial & Financial Acumen
• Operational Performance Management
• Change Management
• Quality, Risk & Compliance
• Stakeholder Management
• Strategic Decision-Making
• Leadership Development
• Customer Focus
• Results Driven

What's on Offer

• Join a well-established organisation operating within a technically advanced manufacturing environment.
• Lead the manufacturing function at executive level while shaping the long-term operational strategy.
• Work closely with executive leadership to drive business growth, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Opportunity to make a measurable impact on productivity, profitability, and organisational performance while leading large-scale manufacturing operations.

If you are an experienced manufacturing executive with a proven track record of leading complex operations, driving operational excellence, and delivering sustainable business performance, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today by submitting your detailed CV.

Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.