Process and Innovations Manage at Mayfly Agri (Pty) Ltd

• A market leader in agrochemical products is seeking a Process and Innovations Manager to drive continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and successful project execution across the manufacturing plant. This role partners closely with the GM Manufacturing to translate strategic objectives into actionable plans, embed a culture of excellence, and deliver sustainable improvements in productivity, quality, cost, and innovation.

Minimum requirements for the role:

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Industrial, Mechanical), Operations Management, or a related technical field; A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is preferred
• Lean Manufacturing certification Six Sigma Green Belt as a minimum, with Black Belt certification being advantageous
• Project Management certification (PMP, Prince2, or equivalent) is advantageous
• Minimum 2–5 years’ experience in manufacturing operations, with a strong focus on continuous improvement and project management
• Proven track record of successfully leading and delivering operational transformation initiatives in a manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional teams and complex, multi-stakeholder projects
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into actionable plans
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills at all levels of the organisation
• High level of personal integrity, reliability, energy, and attention to detail; must be a self-motivated team player capable of working independently

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Leading plant-wide continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other proven methodologies.
• Identifying operational inefficiencies through data analysis and implementing targeted solutions to enhance productivity, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Championing a culture of operational excellence, innovation, and accountability across all manufacturing functions.
• Partnering with the GM Manufacturing to translate strategic priorities into detailed operational plans and roadmaps.
• Developing and maintaining performance frameworks, dashboards, and KPIs to track, measure, and report on operational performance.
• Ensuring all improvement projects and initiatives remain aligned with long-term business objectives and strategic goals.
• Overseeing the end-to-end execution of large-scale, cross-functional projects within the manufacturing plant.
• Coordinating stakeholders, managing project timelines, budgets, and risks to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Conducting research, benchmarking, and in-depth data analysis to support informed decision-making and best-practice adoption.
• Designing and implementing systems, processes, and tools to streamline operations and improve execution efficiency.
• Providing guidance, mentoring, and support to operational teams in adopting and sustaining best practices.
• Facilitating workshops, training programmes, and coaching sessions to embed continuous improvement methodologies across the organisation.
• Building strong cross-departmental relationships to foster collaboration, accountability, and knowledge sharing.
• Monitoring industry trends, emerging technologies, and global best practices relevant to manufacturing excellence.
• Providing regular insights, recommendations, and strategic input to the GM Manufacturing on opportunities for operational innovation and competitive advantage.