A am wearing a hard hat and a suit, supervising a manufacturing plant, representing a manufacturing manager

MANUFACTURING MANAGER [INDUSTRIAL]

MANUFACTURING MANAGER [INDUSTRIAL]

 

Location: Cape Town, Western Cape.

 

Our client, based in Cape Town, is seeking an experienced and hands-on Manufacturing Manager to take ownership of a complex, multi-stage manufacturing operation. This is a high-impact leadership role suited to someone who thrives on bringing structure, stability, and operational excellence to the factory floor.

 

You will be responsible for improving production flow, increasing throughput, reducing bottlenecks, and implementing disciplined production planning across multiple manufacturing processes, including cutting, forming, welding, finishing, coating, and assembly. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you’ll play a key role in driving continuous improvement, developing high-performing teams, and embedding best manufacturing practices.

 

Responsibilities:

 

    Production Planning & Operations:

     

      • Develop and execute structured daily and weekly production plans.
      • Manage batch sizing and sequencing to optimise production flow and minimise changeovers.
      • Control work-in-progress (WIP) between departments to reduce bottlenecks and downtime.
      • Establish production priorities and expediting processes.
      • Lead daily production meetings, reviewing plan versus actual performance and implementing recovery actions where required.

     

    Operational Performance:

     

      • Implement practical production management systems and monitor key operational KPIs.
      • Introduce visual management tools to improve production visibility.
      • Establish disciplined shop-floor routines and accountability structures.

     

    Team Leadership:

     

      • Lead supervisors and production teams across multiple manufacturing departments.
      • Foster a culture of accountability, discipline, continuous improvement, and high performance.
      • Drive employee development through structured training and cross-skilling initiatives.

     

    Continuous Improvement:

     

      • Lead initiatives to reduce waste, scrap, rework, and overtime.
      • Improve changeover efficiency, material utilisation, and workflow stability.
      • Embed Lean Manufacturing principles and structured problem-solving methodologies throughout the operation.

     

    Cross-Functional Collaboration:

     

      • Work closely with Procurement to ensure material availability.
      • Liaise with Sales and Customer Service to align production priorities and delivery commitments.
      • Partner with Engineering to improve tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing processes.

     

    Equipment & Maintenance:

     

      • Support equipment uptime and production reliability alongside the Maintenance team.
      • Promote preventative maintenance practices and ensure rapid response to equipment breakdowns.
      • Focus improvement efforts on constraint and critical production processes.

     

Requirements:

 

                  • Matric.
                  • Relevant qualification in Manufacturing, Production Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field (preferred).
                  • Experience with ERP systems, production routing, and job card management would be advantageous.
                  • Experience implementing systems within previously unstructured manufacturing environments.
                  • Previous experience within metal manufacturing or fabrication industries would be highly advantageous.
                  • Proven experience managing complex, multi-stage manufacturing environments.
                  • Strong background in fabrication, processing, finishing, or similar production operations.
                  • Demonstrated success managing batch production, bottlenecks, and work-in-progress (WIP).
                  • Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
                  • Track record of improving production flow, throughput, productivity, and operational performance.

                 

              • Skills:

             

            • Strong production planning and scheduling capabilities with a practical, hands-on approach.
            • Data-driven decision-maker who focuses on meaningful operational metrics.
            • Excellent leadership and people management skills with a strong shop-floor presence.
            • Highly organised, disciplined, and consistent in execution.
            • Able to balance immediate production demands with long-term operational improvements.
            • Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
            • Proven problem-solving and process improvement abilities.

 

Please note: shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 5 days for interview. If not contacted, please consider your application unsuccessful.By applying to this advert you hereby acknowledge that you have read and accept the following Protection of Personal Information ACT (POPIA) disclaimer: I hereby consent for Futurelink to process my personal information as part of the recruitment process, which will be done in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (4 of 2013) (POPI) https://futurelinkglobal.com/privacy-policy/

Interested?

Please submit your application below.