ENGINEERING MANAGER

SUMMARY:
MANUFACTURING SECTOR

POSITION INFO:

Based Port Elizabeth.

Join a large manufacturing, wholesale & retail Group that supplies the local SA market as well as selected African and European markets. In addition to multiple sales & wholesale Branches around South Africa, there are many retail outlets where the Group has a franchise type setup. The business is also an appointed Distributor for well known brands and due to its entrepreneurial spirit, is continuously expanding its business, both vertically and horizontally. This key position in the Group’s PE factory reports into the Manufacturing & Technical Director who is a main Board Member and heads up the factory which employs close to 400 staff. It is one of the leading manufacturers of their specialised product range which delivers high performance products. The factory continuously develops their production processes and upgrades their manufacturing facility to achieve the highest standards possible. It uses high-grade lead alloy and specialised additives with the applicable ingredients ensuring consistency of batches. They have customised their curing processes and apply patented moulding processes for lead straps. Sophisticated testing procedures are used. Their production plant is accredited with all the applicable ISO standards including for Energy Management, is compliant to SABS as well as IATF Quality Management System and other specific systems. The culture of the factory is high performance, ongoing pressure, extremely demanding with highly motivated employees who enjoy the daily challenges of their respective positions.

The overall scope of the Engineering Manager will be responsible for leading an Engineering Department and liaise across functional lines to achieve expected levels of equipment availability, on time commissioning of new equipment and optimum spare parts inventory. In the factory there are 3 separate Plants each leading into one other as well as the peripherals which are all the utilities used in the factory including gas plant, water plant, chiller plant, compressor plant, air purifying plant, etc. which will also fall under the responsibility of this candidate. In addition, there is a highly sophisticated AI electronic system which is an integral feature in running the factory as well. A percentage of the plants have highly sophisticated technology and are therefore highly automated whilst the remainder uses older technology and functions more manually. A fundamental KPI for the candidate will his/her being measured by the OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) percentage obtained in the factory. The candidate will be fully responsible for engineering operating expenses (OPEX), capital expenditure (CAPEX) and the cost of his reasonably large team whom he will develop, lead, mentor, assess and influence to optimise their performance and efficiency so as to promote the lean manufacturing philosophy inherent in the factory. In addition, the Engineering Manager will be the Appointed Engineer in terms of the General Machines Regulation (GMR). He will work closely with the Manufacturing and Technical Director who is an extremely experienced and fully qualified Engineer, in creating and rolling out 5 year strategies and be his right hand man in creating and developing capital strategy for the business.

Requirements:

• Ideally, a B. Sc with majors in mechanical, electrical or industrial engineering or chemistry, or similar, at one of the accredited Universities. Alternatively, a B. Tech with one of the aforementioned majors coupled with the relevant experience. In addition, a Government Certificate of Competency (Factories) is required.
• Must have a working knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, chemical reactions, mass and energy balances and measurement systems. In addition, a proven track record of not less than 10 years in an Engineering Management role and managing diverse and technical resources. The candidate can use his or her creativity, proactivity and free thinking spirit which will be highly welcomed in this role notwithstanding that policies & procedures are in place, as the culture of the Company encourages change and development.
• Critical understanding of root cause analysis and structured problem solving is required and the ability to ask questions, find problems and drive solutions.
• Very task driven, results orientated, enjoys learning and teaching, is accountable, has high energy and is resilient, works well under pressure and yet still has a sense of humour and knows how to enjoy a situation.

Apply on-line or alternatively phone Gerald Lilian on (011) 4841790.

Be advised that if you do not receive a response within two weeks from date of submission of your CV, then please deem your application as unsuccessful.