Production Team Lead at BIC

JOB SUMMARY 

• To ensure the smooth and efficient flow of production within the Assembly and Moulding departments by coordinating operational activities and resources effectively. The Production Team Leader is responsible for ensuring that Assembly and Moulding production targets are achieved in line with the Sales and Operations Planning requirements and daily production adherence plans. This includes managing and supporting Production Supervisors and operators to ensure that production schedules are executed efficiently, quality standards are maintained, and safety procedures are strictly followed.
• The role is also responsible for monitoring and improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) by minimizing downtime, addressing process inefficiencies, and ensuring that equipment is utilized optimally. The Team Leader will work closely with production, maintenance, quality, and planning teams to resolve operational challenges, implement continuous improvement initiatives, and maintain disciplined manufacturing practices such as 5S and Autonomous Maintenance. Through strong leadership, performance monitoring, and proactive problem-solving, the Team Leader ensures that production operations run reliably, efficiently, and in alignment with the company’s operational objectives.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES / TASKS

Production Planning and Execution

• Ensure daily production targets are achieved in accordance with the S&OP plan and production adherence requirements.
• Coordinate production activities across Assembly and Moulding to ensure a consistent and uninterrupted production flow.
• Monitor production performance throughout the shift and take immediate action to address deviations from planned targets.
• Ensure effective allocation of labour and equipment resources to maximize operational efficiency.
• Maintain clear communication with planning, maintenance, and quality teams to resolve operational constraints that may impact production output.

Team Leadership and People Management

• Lead, manage, and support Production Supervisors and production staff to ensure optimal team performance.
• Provide clear direction, guidance, and expectations to the production team to ensure alignment with operational objectives.
• Monitor team performance and provide coaching, feedback, and support to develop employee capability and accountability.
• Foster a positive and disciplined work environment that promotes teamwork, accountability, and engagement.
• Ensure proper shift handovers and effective communication between shifts to maintain production continuity.

Equipment Performance and OEE Management

• Monitor and drive improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) across Assembly and Moulding operations.
• Identify and address equipment downtime, performance losses, and inefficiencies in the production process.
• Work closely with maintenance teams to ensure timely resolution of technical issues and preventative maintenance activities.
• Ensure production teams operate equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures to maintain reliability and product quality

Autonomous Maintenance Implementation

• Drive the implementation and sustainability of Autonomous Maintenance practices within the production environment.
• Ensure operators perform routine equipment cleaning, inspection, and basic maintenance tasks according to established standards.
• Train and guide production teams to identify early signs of equipment wear, abnormal conditions, or potential failures.
• Support the maintenance department by ensuring that minor equipment issues are identified early and addressed proactively.

5S and Workplace Organization

• Implement and maintain 5S standards within Assembly and Moulding production areas to ensure organized, safe, and efficient workspaces.
• Conduct regular workplace inspections and audits to ensure compliance with 5S standards.
• Encourage team ownership of work areas to maintain cleanliness, organization, and visual workplace management.
• Identify opportunities to improve workplace layout, storage systems, and visual controls.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities for operational improvements to enhance productivity, quality, and efficiency.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing waste, improving processes, and optimizing production performance.
• Encourage employee participation in improvement initiatives and idea generation.
• Utilize production data and performance metrics to identify improvement opportunities and implement corrective actions.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure all products produced meet required quality standards and specifications.
• Monitor quality performance and address defects or non-conformances promptly.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective action implementation when quality issues arise.
• Promote a culture of “right first time” production within the team.

Safety and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all safety procedures, company policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote a proactive safety culture by encouraging employees to identify and report potential hazards.
• Participate in incident investigations and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure all team members follow safe working practices and use appropriate protective equipment.

Reporting and Communication

• Monitor and report production performance, downtime, and operational challenges.
• Maintain accurate production records and shift reports.
• Communicate key operational updates, performance results, and improvement opportunities to management.
• Participate in daily operational meetings and contribute to cross-functional coordination

Idea Driven Organization 

• Promote and support the principles of an Idea Driven Organization by encouraging all employees, leaders, stakeholders, and contractors to actively contribute improvement ideas through the BIC Up program.
• Foster a culture where employees feel empowered and responsible for identifying opportunities to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and workplace conditions.
• Ensure that improvement ideas submitted through the BIC Up platform are reviewed, validated, and approved where applicable in collaboration with direct reporting leaders and relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor the progress of submitted ideas and ensure that approved initiatives are implemented within appropriate and agreed timelines.
• Provide support and guidance to teams in developing and refining ideas to ensure they are practical, measurable, and aligned with operational objectives.
• Track and report on idea generation, implementation progress, and the impact of improvement initiatives within the department.
• Recognize and encourage employee participation in continuous improvement initiatives to sustain engagement in the BIC Up program.

Qualifications and Experience

• Grade 12 (Matric) – compulsory
• Diploma in Production, Operations Management, or related field – compulsory
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience managing people and production processes in a manufacturing environment
• Experience within the FMCG industry is required
• Technical or engineering experience will be advantageous
• Formal training in supervision or production management will be advantageous

Skills and Knowledge

• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with stock control systems and ERP platforms (e.g., JDE)
• Strong understanding of production performance management, including Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Good knowledge of Quality Management Systems, work instructions, and operational procedures
• Ability to train and guide operators on quality standards, work instructions, and procedures
• Sound understanding of Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) practices in a manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of ISO standards, particularly ISO 9000 and ISO 14000, will be advantageous