Manufacturing Executive

Recruiter

K2 Recruit

Job Ref

457267

Date posted

Monday, July 13, 2026

Location

Cape Town, South Africa

SUMMARY

POSITION INFO

Key Responsibilities Manufacturing Leadership & Operational Excellence Lead all manufacturing operations across multiple production departments. Drive operational excellence through structured manufacturing processes and best practice methodologies. Ensure efficient utilisation of labour, equipment, facilities and materials to maximise productivity. Deliver manufacturing performance aligned to business objectives and financial targets. Take ownership of manufacturing budgets, operational expenditure and cost optimisation initiatives. Promote a culture of accountability, ownership, collaboration and continuous improvement. Production Planning & Capacity Management Translate sales forecasts into achievable production and capacity plans. Oversee the development and execution of integrated production schedules across all manufacturing departments. Balance production capacity with customer demand to ensure optimal resource utilisation. Identify future capacity requirements and develop strategies to support business growth. Ensure manufacturing plans support On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) customer delivery objectives. Drive ERP system discipline to improve planning accuracy and operational visibility. Manufacturing Performance Gain a thorough understanding of manufacturing processes and production flow across the facility. Monitor operational performance and proactively identify production bottlenecks. Implement solutions that improve throughput, reduce downtime and increase operational efficiency. Establish and monitor manufacturing KPIs and performance dashboards. Drive improvements in productivity, quality, equipment utilisation and manufacturing costs. Promote "First Time Right" manufacturing principles and waste elimination initiatives. Continuous Improvement Lead Lean Manufacturing and World Class Manufacturing initiatives across the operation. Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems and operational efficiencies. Drive continuous improvement projects that improve productivity, quality and employee engagement. Introduce manufacturing best practices aligned with business requirements. Improve material utilisation by reducing scrap, rework and process variation. Foster a culture of innovation and operational excellence throughout the business. Inventory & Stores Management Provide strategic oversight of Raw Material, Work-in-Progress and Finished Goods inventory. Ensure inventory accuracy through disciplined ERP utilisation and inventory controls. Monitor stock integrity, inventory movement and material availability. Improve inventory accuracy and reduce stock variances across manufacturing operations. Support effective inventory planning aligned to production requirements. Quality, Safety & Compliance Ensure manufacturing operations comply with all applicable health, safety and environmental legislation. Drive compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and environmental management standards. Support the implementation and maintenance of ISO 14001 where applicable. Ensure adherence to all company policies, statutory requirements and industry regulations. Promote a proactive safety culture focused on achieving zero harm across manufacturing operations. Work collaboratively with Executive Management to maintain governance and regulatory compliance. People Leadership Lead, mentor and develop senior manufacturing leaders and production management teams. Build high-performing teams through coaching, succession planning and skills development. Drive employee engagement, accountability and performance management. Promote collaboration and teamwork across all operational departments. Identify critical skills gaps and implement development programmes to support future capability. Foster a culture of continuous learning, operational discipline and leadership excellence. Financial & Strategic Management Develop and manage manufacturing operating budgets. Monitor operational costs and implement initiatives that improve profitability. Drive cost reduction through improved productivity, process optimisation and waste elimination. Support long-term manufacturing strategy and capital investment planning. Partner with Executive Leadership to align manufacturing operations with overall business objectives. Contribute to strategic planning and organisational growth initiatives. About You You are an experienced manufacturing executive with a proven ability to lead large-scale manufacturing operations and deliver measurable operational improvements. You thrive in fast-paced production environments where operational excellence, continuous improvement and strategic leadership are critical to business success. You combine strong commercial acumen with exceptional people leadership, enabling you to build high-performing teams while driving productivity, quality, cost control and customer satisfaction. You are passionate about Lean Manufacturing, operational efficiency and creating a culture where accountability, innovation and safety are embedded into everyday operations. Minimum Requirements Qualifications Degree or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. Degree or Diploma in Operations Management (Essential). Highly Advantageous Lean Manufacturing Certification. Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt. Project Management qualification. World Class Manufacturing (WCM) exposure. ISO Lead Auditor certification. Experience Minimum 10 years' experience within a high-volume manufacturing environment. At least 5 years' experience in a senior manufacturing leadership role. Experience leading multiple production departments. Strong production planning and manufacturing execution experience. Exposure to precision engineering or complex manufacturing environments will be highly advantageous. Proven experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives. Strong ERP manufacturing systems experience. Experience managing operational budgets, inventory and manufacturing costs. Technical Knowledge Manufacturing Operations Production Planning Capacity Planning Manufacturing Operations Lean Manufacturing World Class Manufacturing (WCM) Production Scheduling Manufacturing Process Optimisation Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) Waste Reduction Root Cause Analysis Continuous Improvement Supply Chain & Inventory ERP Systems Inventory Management Material Planning Stores Management Stock Accuracy Production Flow Optimisation Quality & Compliance ISO 9001 ISO 45001 ISO 14001 Occupational Health & Safety Risk Management Manufacturing Compliance Quality Management Systems Leadership Strategic Operations Management Performance Management Team Development Coaching & Mentoring Change Management Budget Management Cost Optimisation Operational Strategy Core Competencies Technical Competencies Manufacturing Leadership Operational Excellence Lean Manufacturing Production Planning Capacity Optimisation Continuous Improvement Inventory Management Cost Control Quality Management ERP Systems Operational Strategy Performance Management Budget Management Process Optimisation Manufacturing Analytics Behavioural Competencies Strategic Leadership Commercial Acumen Analytical Thinking Decision Making People Leadership Coaching & Mentoring Accountability Problem Solving Communication Collaboration Results Driven Resilience Adaptability Continuous Learning Influencing Skills