Manager: Operations at MECS (Pty) Ltd

• A leading manufacturing organisation is seeking an experienced Manager: Operations to lead day-to-day lubricant manufacturing operations, with responsibility for blending, filling, packaging materials, inbound warehousing and stock control.
• Please note that this is a 12-month contract position.
• The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure safe, reliable and cost-effective plant performance while meeting production plans, customer demand and Operational Excellence objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage blending and filling operations to meet production and customer requirements.
• Ensure daily production and filling plans are achieved.
• Drive operational efficiency, reliability, quality and continuous improvement.
• Manage packaging materials, inbound goods, inventory and warehouse activities.
• Ensure all SHEQ, safety and operational KPIs are achieved.
• Manage OPEX and CAPEX budgets, forecasting and expenditure.
• Drive cost efficiency and maximise operational performance with minimal capital investment.
• Collaborate with Planning & Supply Chain, Logistics, Quality, Maintenance, Finance, SHEQ and Procurement.
• Lead, develop and motivate a diverse manufacturing team.
• Ensure appropriate resource planning, recruitment, training and succession development.
• Champion a strong incident-free and safety-focused culture.
• Build effective relationships with raw material suppliers and other key stakeholders.
• Drive compliance with operational procedures, regulatory requirements and management systems.

Minimum Requirements

• BSc/BEng in Mechanical, Chemical or Process Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a petrochemical environment, specifically lubricants manufacturing.
• Minimum 5–10 years’ experience as an Operations Manager or in a similar senior operational leadership role.
• Proven experience managing manufacturing operations and diverse teams.
• Strong knowledge of operations management and organisational effectiveness.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, OPEX and CAPEX management.
• Strong understanding of business and financial principles.
• Proven inventory management experience.
• Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and motivate manufacturing teams.

Ideal Candidate

• We are looking for a hands-on, commercially astute and safety-focused operations leader who can translate strategic objectives into strong day-to-day plant performance and build a culture of accountability, operational excellence and continuous improvement.