Jobs at BIC

  JOB SUMMARY

• The Factory Planner for the South Africa cluster will be responsible for developing and executing short- to mid-term production plans that align with demand forecasts, inventory targets, and factory capabilities. This role ensures that manufacturing operations are synchronized with supply chain objectives, enabling high service levels, cost efficiency, and agility in response to market dynamics.
• This position is critical to strengthening local planning capabilities and will form part of the 2026 Operating Plan structure.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES / TASKS

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Translate demand plans into feasible production schedules for the South Africa factory.
• Balance capacity, material availability, and labor constraints to optimize production output.
• Monitor adherence to production plans and adjust schedules proactively to mitigate risks 

Inventory & Material Management

• Ensure alignment between production plans and inventory targets to avoid stockouts or excess.
• Collaborate with procurement and material planners to secure timely availability of raw and packaging materials.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Track key planning KPIs (e.g., schedule adherence, OTIF, inventory turns).
• Provide regular updates and insights to factory leadership and regional planning teams.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Act as the planning interface between factory operations, demand planning, logistics, and procurement.
• Support S&OP and pre-S&OP processes with factory-level inputs and scenario planning.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement improvements in planning processes, systems, and data accuracy.
• Contribute to digitalization and automation initiatives within factory planning.

Key Interfaces:

• Factory Operations & Site Leadership
• Demand Planning MEA
• Procurement & Material Planning
• Logistics & Distribution
• Quality Assurance
• Finance & Controlling
• Regional Supply Chain Leadership

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, COMPENSIES

Planning & Prioritization: 

• Ability to manage complex schedules and competing priorities.

Analytical Thinking: 

• Strong problem-solving skills and data-driven decision-making.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Effective stakeholder engagement across functions and levels.

Agility & Adaptability: 

• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Systems Thinking: 

• Understands end-to-end supply chain impact of factory planning decisions.

Additional Notes:

• This role is part of the strategic workforce planning for 2026 and supports the decentralization of planning responsibilities.
• The position will contribute to improved responsiveness, reduced lead times, and enhanced service levels in the South Africa cluster.

Role may require occasional travel to other cluster sites or regional planning meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in factory or production planning, preferably in FMCG or manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of supply chain principles, production processes, and planning systems.
• Experience with ERP and advanced planning tools (e.g., SAP PP, APO, OMP, Kinaxis, JDE, Blue Yonder).
• Proficiency in Excel and data analysis tools; ability to work with large datasets.

go to method of application »

JOB SUMMARY 

• MAIN PURPOSE: Sets and maintains all machines to obtain their optimum efficiencies, ensures that all planned maintenance work is done according to the schedules and that all records are kept up to date, liaise with QA personnel and strives to maintain high quality standards. Will, when necessary, assist with new projects deemed and work overtime when required. Manage, diagnose and maintain digital PLC equipment. 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES / TASKS 

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE: 

• Production manager 
• Technical Foreman 
• Technician 

REQUIRED EDUCATION: 

• Millwright 
• Electrician 
• N4 Mechanical/N4 Electrical or above  
• Formal PLC training  

REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE: 

• With at least 5 years maintenance and setting experience of high-speed packaging, assembly, printing, and manufacturing machines with a thorough knowledge of the implementation and the successful running of a machine maintenance schedule.  
• PLC Diagnoses and coding: 

Will need to be able to understand, read and program PLC controllers (Preferably OMRON). PLC experience is a must.  

Machine setting: 

• Technicians must develop the skills for the setting of all assembly machines (Mechanical and electrical)  

Machine overhauling: 

• Will do running and preventative maintenance according to a planned maintenance program: liaise with the foreman to ensure that all machines and equipment are mechanically sound with adequate lubrication. Technicians will ensure that the necessary schedules are filled in at the end of each shift and have been signed off by their supervisor. 

Production: 

• Technicians must be aware of the outputs of various machines and equipment, to achieve the highest possible output figures. Will strive to maintain optimum settings, will report any problems related to the non-performance of machines/ equipment and/ or both to the foreman. Will assist with operator and supervisor training on Assembly Machines and inform them of any standard procedural changes. Technicians are to ensure that all machines on plan should be in running order before the end of their shift. 

Quality Assurance: 

• Will consider quality as a key component of all work that is done and products that are manufactured on the machines/ Equipment under his care, will have a thorough knowledge of the product and its components. Will continually seek to meet the standards required for all products and will advise the QA Department of any non-performance of the product and or its components.  

Safety and housekeeping: 

• Prevents and minimizes hazards, ensures that the areas around the machines and equipment are kept clean and tidy by the operatives at all times and that they meet with BIC’s requirements. If these requirements are not met he will report this to his foreman / or the Safety Representative for that area. We are an ISO 14001 compliant company and technicians are required to prevent and minimize any environmental hazardous and report any possible risks to the foreman and or HSE manager. Safety must be the priority and near miss reporting is required. Good 5S knowledge and implementation. 

Working hours 

• Assembly Technicians are required to work shifts, including weekends and overtime when required and as per shift rosters.  

Security: 

• The incumbent will be aware that the removal of any company property from the premises (Manufactured product and equipment) without prior written permission is a criminal offence. He will report any suspicious removal of the same to the engineering foreman or security personnel. The incumbent will understand that he is indirectly responsible for security in and around his work areas.  

Employee Relations: 

• The incumbent will be aware of the importance of having good working relations with his colleagues. All the operatives in his work areas and all persons he may have to deal with during the course of a day. 

Confidentiality: 

• The incumbent must be aware that he will have privileged information regarding the manufacturing and all processes which is the property of BIC SA. He is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this information is strictly prohibited.  

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Red seal Qualified Fitter & turner or Qualified Millwright 
• National senior certificate N4 or higher (Mechanical or electrical) 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

• Technicians may be required to take additional responsibilities as required by the engineering department, as well as any other duties that would enhance and improve the services of this department.