29 Manufacturing Operations jobs in South Africa

Overview

Manufacturing Operations Manager role at Ntice Sourcing Solutions. Our client, a leading company in the packaging manufacturing industry, seeks a dynamic and experienced Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead its large-scale production facility. This senior role oversees a workforce of approximately 350-400 employees, including department managers, in a unionised environment. The successful candidate will drive productivity, efficiency, cost optimisation, and operational excellence while ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and accreditation standards (ISO 9001:2015, FSSC 22000).

• Full accountability for all packaging manufacturing operations within a 63,000m² facility.
• Provide strategic and hands-on leadership to departmental managers and teams across printing, die-cutting, finishing, and corrugating.
• Drive productivity enhancement, waste reduction, and continual efficiency improvements.
• Ensure effective planning and scheduling of production to meet customer delivery requirements.
• Oversee capital equipment maintenance and upgrades; manage new equipment installation projects.
• Lead OEE performance management and implement structured reporting systems.
• Champion the adoption of ERP systems and technology-driven solutions for operations optimisation.
• Maintain quality and compliance standards, including ISO and FSSC accreditations, and lead audits.
• Ensure effective labour relations, including engagement with unions and workplace fora.
• Develop and mentor departmental leaders and implement apprenticeship/training programmes to build future skills.
• Participate in executive-level decision making and contribute to company-wide strategy.

• Numerically strong with an analytical mindset.
• Technically oriented with a logical, practical approach.
• Collaborative, persuasive, and effective in conflict resolution.
• A strong, firm leader capable of managing relationships upwards, downwards, and sideways.
• Change agent with proven experience driving cultural and operational transformation.

• Relevant Engineering degree (BSc, BEng preferred). Post Grad Business Management or MBA advantageous.
• Minimum 10-15 years' operations leadership experience in large-scale manufacturing, in packaging, printing, plastics, or FMCG.
• Proven track record of multi-disciplinary leadership (managing multiple departments and large staff complements).
• Strong exposure to unionised environments and labour engagement.
• Demonstrated achievements in LEAN manufacturing, OEE implementation, and process optimisation.
• Experience in managing capital projects and facility expansions/modernisations.
• ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000 compliance management experience essential.

This role offers the opportunity to take a senior leadership position in a respected South African packaging business, with scope to influence strategy, culture, and performance at executive level. You'll lead a significant operation, drive modernisation projects, and play a pivotal role in shaping the company's next phase of growth.

Our client, a leading company in the
packaging manufacturing industry
, is seeking a dynamic and experienced
Manufacturing Operations Manager
to lead its large-scale production facility. This senior role carries responsibility for a workforce of approximately
employees
, including
department managers
, and oversees a multi-disciplinary packaging manufacturing operation in a unionised environment. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving
productivity, efficiency, cost optimisation, and operational excellence
, while ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and accreditation standards (ISO 9001:2015, FSSC

Key Responsibilities

• Full accountability for
  all packaging manufacturing operations
  within a 63,000m² facility.
• Provide
  strategic and hands-on leadership
  to departmental managers and teams across printing, Die-cutting, Finishing, and Corrugating departments.
• Drive
  productivity enhancement
  , waste reduction, and continual
  efficiency improvements
  .
• Ensure effective
  planning and scheduling of production
  to meet customer delivery requirements.
• Oversee
  capital equipment maintenance and upgrades
  ; manage new equipment installation projects.
• Lead
  OEE performance management
  and implement structured reporting systems.
• Champion the adoption of
  ERP systems
  and technology-driven solutions for operations optimisation.
• Maintain
  quality and compliance standards
  , including ISO and FSSC accreditations, and lead audits.
• Ensure effective
  labour relations
  , including engagement with unions and workplace fora.
• Develop and mentor departmental leaders and implement
  apprenticeship/training programmes
  to build future skills.
• Participate in
  executive-level decision making
  and contribute to company-wide strategy.

Key Personality Traits

• Numerically strong with an analytical mindset.
• Technically oriented with a
  logical, practical approach
  .
• Collaborative, persuasive, and effective in
  conflict resolution
  .
• A strong, firm leader capable of managing relationships
  upwards, downwards, and sideways
  .
• Change agent with proven experience driving cultural and operational transformation.

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant
  Engineering degree
  (BSc, BEng Preferred). Post Grad Business Management or MBA advantageous.
• Minimum
  years' operations leadership experience
  in large-scale
  manufacturing
  , in
  packaging, printing, plastics, or FMCG
  .
• Proven track record of
  multi-disciplinary leadership
  (managing multiple departments and large staff complements).
• Strong exposure to
  unionised environments
  and labour engagement.
• Demonstrated achievements in
  LEAN manufacturing, OEE implementation, and process optimisation
  .
• Experience in managing
  capital projects
  and facility expansions/modernisations.
• ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000 compliance management experience essential.

Why This Opportunity?

This role offers the opportunity to take a senior leadership position in a respected South African packaging business, with scope to influence
strategy, culture, and performance
at executive level. You'll lead a significant operation, drive modernisation projects, and play a pivotal role in shaping the company's next phase of growth.

Overview

Our client, a leading company in the packaging manufacturing industry , is seeking a dynamic and experienced Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead its large-scale production facility. This senior role carries responsibility for a workforce of approximately 350–400 employees , including department managers , and oversees a multi-disciplinary packaging manufacturing operation in a unionised environment. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving productivity, efficiency, cost optimisation, and operational excellence , while ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and accreditation standards (ISO 9001:2015, FSSC 22000).

• Full accountability for all packaging manufacturing operations within a 63,000m² facility.
• Provide strategic and hands-on leadership to departmental managers and teams across printing, Die-cutting, Finishing, and Corrugating departments.
• Drive productivity enhancement , waste reduction, and continual efficiency improvements .
• Ensure effective planning and scheduling of production to meet customer delivery requirements.
• Oversee capital equipment maintenance and upgrades ; manage new equipment installation projects.
• Lead OEE performance management and implement structured reporting systems.
• Champion the adoption of ERP systems and technology-driven solutions for operations optimisation.
• Maintain quality and compliance standards , including ISO and FSSC accreditations, and lead audits.
• Ensure effective labour relations , including engagement with unions and workplace fora.
• Develop and mentor departmental leaders and implement apprenticeship/training programmes to build future skills.
• Participate in executive-level decision making and contribute to company-wide strategy.

• Numerically strong with an analytical mindset.
• Technically oriented with a logical, practical approach .
• Collaborative, persuasive, and effective in conflict resolution .
• A strong, firm leader capable of managing relationships upwards, downwards, and sideways .
• Change agent with proven experience driving cultural and operational transformation.

• Relevant Engineering degree (BSc, BEng Preferred). Post Grad Business Management or MBA advantageous.
• Minimum 10–15 years’ operations leadership experience in large-scale manufacturing , in packaging, printing, plastics, or FMCG .
• Proven track record of multi-disciplinary leadership (managing multiple departments and large staff complements).
• Strong exposure to unionised environments and labour engagement.
• Demonstrated achievements in LEAN manufacturing, OEE implementation, and process optimisation .
• Experience in managing capital projects and facility expansions/modernisations.
• ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000 compliance management experience essential.

This role offers the opportunity to take a senior leadership position in a respected South African packaging business, with scope to influence strategy, culture, and performance at executive level. You’ll lead a significant operation, drive modernisation projects, and play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s next phase of growth.

Position: Operations / Financial Branch Manager
Location: Cape Town

An astute businessman with experience in a manufacturing environment, managing finance and overseeing budgets, stock, factory, and sales activities.

A BCom/ND financial degree/cost accountant coupled with a hands-on approach and great leadership skills are required. Please ensure you qualify as indicated above to be considered.

Monthly

Position Overview:

Our client is looking for a strategically minded Operations Manager that has had clear & consistent progression throughout his career. The Ops Manager will oversee all aspects of the PET recycling plant's operations, ensuring efficiency, safety, and quality standards are met. The site is based in KZN, and we will give candidates residing in KZN preference, however, should you wish to relocate, there will be relocation assistance. This role involves managing a team of direct reports, including the Production Manager, Quality Manager, Maintenance Manager, and Warehouse Manager. A strong background in Operations Management and process knowledge from a manufacturing industry is mandatory , with experience in the plastics/recycling industry preferred . The Operations Manager will report directly to the Managing & Operations Director.

Job Holder Profile:

• Appointed as a legal 16.2 in previous roles. (Non-Negotiable)
• Diploma/Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field
• Post graduate Management Qualification such as MDP
• At least 5+ years of proven experience in operations management with clear career progression, ideally in the recycling or manufacturing industry. Experience in PET bottle recycling is highly desirable.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to effectively manage & motivate cross-functional teams of 80+
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Knowledge and experience with quality management systems and best practices.
• Familiarity with health, safety, and environmental regulations applicable to recycling facilities.
• Experience with budget management and cost control.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A strong leader and role model.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, preferably D365.

Additional Requirements:
The role requires always acting in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, adhering to all company policies, procedures, and safety standards (OSHA).

Main Tasks/Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Develop and execute strategic plans to optimize operations and meet production targets.
• Align operational goals with business objectives in collaboration with senior leadership.

Team Leadership

• Lead production, quality, maintenance, and warehouse teams, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Ensure clear communication, accountability, and effective team structures.

Production Management

• Oversee rPET production to ensure efficiency, quality, and adherence to SOPs and policies.
• Monitor KPIs and resource allocation for optimal output.

Quality Assurance

• Implement quality control processes with the Quality Manager to meet industry standards.
• Address quality issues and ensure compliance with regulations.

Maintenance

• Collaborate with the Maintenance Manager to execute preventive maintenance programs.
• Minimize downtime and coordinate equipment repairs.

Warehouse Management

• Manage inventory, storage, and distribution using ERP systems.
• Optimize warehouse space and ensure timely order fulfillment.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance

• Promote safety and environmental responsibility while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Budget Management

• Plan and oversee the plant's annual operating budget.
  
  Note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted & only qualified candidates will be shortlisted.

Position Overview:

Our client is looking for a strategically minded Operations Manager that has had clear & consistent progression throughout his career. The Ops Manager will oversee all aspects of the PET recycling plant's operations, ensuring efficiency, safety, and quality standards are met. The site is based in KZN, and we will give candidates residing in KZN preference, however, should you wish to relocate, there will be relocation assistance. This role involves managing a team of direct reports, including the Production Manager, Quality Manager, Maintenance Manager, and Warehouse Manager. A strong background in Operations Management and process knowledge from a manufacturing industry is mandatory , with experience in the plastics/recycling industry preferred . The Operations Manager will report directly to the Managing & Operations Director.

Job Holder Profile:

• Appointed as a legal 16.2 in previous roles. (Non-Negotiable)
• Diploma/Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field
• Post graduate Management Qualification such as MDP
• At least 5+ years of proven experience in operations management with clear career progression, ideally in the recycling or manufacturing industry. Experience in PET bottle recycling is highly desirable.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to effectively manage & motivate cross-functional teams of 80+
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Knowledge and experience with quality management systems and best practices.
• Familiarity with health, safety, and environmental regulations applicable to recycling facilities.
• Experience with budget management and cost control.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A strong leader and role model.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, preferably D365.

Additional Requirements:
The role requires always acting in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, adhering to all company policies, procedures, and safety standards (OSHA).

Main Tasks/Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Develop and execute strategic plans to optimize operations and meet production targets.
• Align operational goals with business objectives in collaboration with senior leadership.

Team Leadership

• Lead production, quality, maintenance, and warehouse teams, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Ensure clear communication, accountability, and effective team structures.

Production Management

• Oversee rPET production to ensure efficiency, quality, and adherence to SOPs and policies.
• Monitor KPIs and resource allocation for optimal output.

Quality Assurance

• Implement quality control processes with the Quality Manager to meet industry standards.
• Address quality issues and ensure compliance with regulations.

Maintenance

• Collaborate with the Maintenance Manager to execute preventive maintenance programs.
• Minimize downtime and coordinate equipment repairs.

Warehouse Management

• Manage inventory, storage, and distribution using ERP systems.
• Optimize warehouse space and ensure timely order fulfillment.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance

• Promote safety and environmental responsibility while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Budget Management

• Plan and oversee the plant's annual operating budget. Note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted & only qualified candidates will be shortlisted.