Operations Director at Vitae Selection Ltd

Job description

Must have experience in metal conversion (steel, tinplate, aluminium etc.)

Based; South Africa (Johannesburg)

Generous Ex-Pat package on offer.

We are currently working alongside an industry heavyweight within the production of innovative metal containers for a variety of industries such as food and beverages. This organisation has a proud tradition of continuous improvement and overall business excellence within their field contributing to an overall world-class attitude to operations. Having received significant investment over recent years they are looking to attract industry-leading talent to drive them on to the next level of operational performance.

The Role:

• As part of the executive management team you will report into the Managing Director of this £500m+ metal packaging division and hold operational responsibility for five sites across three countries with a main focus being on their South African operations.
• Sitting at the head office of the metal packaging division in Johannesburg this role will require you to be a consummate business leader with the gravitas needed to inspire others to join you on the journey to operational excellence.
• Due to recent investment their equipment throughout the division tends to be state-of-the-art, therefore the key challenge is to introduce best practice at their two world-class sites and develop the practices and programmes to up-skill site capabilities and help the business move towards being industry leaders in operational performance.
• Environmental, health & safety excellence is a significant focus for the organisation. Ensuring compliance and a genuinely held ethos in these areas is of huge importance.
• Evolution not revolution – whilst change will be part and parcel of achieving divisional goals this must not be at the expense of employee engagement. Recognising contextual & cultural sensitivities to adopt an appropriate leadership style is key to ensuring productive change.
• With a focus on continuous improvement it is expected that the job holder is able to conduct a thorough analysis, drawing upon LEAN management principles to devise and execute an operations plan which maximizes the available technology to create genuine customer value.
• Work closely with HR to devise and implement training & development programmes with a view to further creating a skilled and motivated workforce.

The Requirements:

• Must hold an appropriate degree or equivalent professional qualification within modern manufacturing principles, preferably a degree-qualified engineer.
• Experience within metal packaging is mandatory.
• Knowledge or formal qualification/course completion specifically related to Six Sigma and Lean manufacturing would be highly beneficial. Demonstrable implementation of a variety of lean principles to drive operational excellence is a must-have.
• Evidence of an ability to develop strong customer relationships from a manufacturing point-of-view is desirable.
• Proven commercial acumen is crucial to ensuring the continued performance of this multi-site manufacturing base.
• A proven ability to transfer skills to others in a structured way
• An acute sense of inter-cultural sensitivity is required

This is a career opportunity not a job so we invite applications from committed, career minded individuals.
The organisation in question is looking for genuine business leaders capable of inspiring others to embrace change.