About the Opportunity

Our client is a leading manufacturing organisation operating within a highly regulated, precision-driven production environment. They are seeking a hands-on Production Line Manager to take ownership of production output, quality, people management, machine reliability, cost control, and safety within a busy secondary operations environment.

This is a floor-based leadership role requiring a strong production manager who leads from the front, drives accountability, and ensures operational excellence across every shift.

The Role

The Production Line Manager will be responsible for managing daily production activities, ensuring targets are achieved while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and operational efficiency.

The successful candidate will be highly visible on the production floor, actively leading teams, resolving bottlenecks, driving performance, and ensuring production plans are delivered consistently.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Operational Management

• Drive achievement of daily production plans, output targets, quality standards, and cost objectives.
• Monitor production performance in real-time and implement corrective actions where required.
• Manage production flow and resolve bottlenecks to ensure uninterrupted operations.
• Ensure production processes are executed according to established procedures and quality standards.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimise efficiency and productivity.

Quality Management

• Ensure first-off inspections and approvals are completed before production runs commence.
• Monitor product quality and implement corrective actions where required.
• Reduce scrap and rework through proactive process management.
• Maintain adherence to all quality requirements and operational standards.

People Leadership

• Lead, motivate, coach, and develop production teams.
• Manage attendance, discipline, performance, and employee development.
• Drive accountability and foster a high-performance culture.
• Conduct regular team engagement and performance discussions.
• Maintain and update skills matrices for all team members.

Maintenance & Equipment Management

• Ensure operator-level machine maintenance is completed and signed off each shift.
• Escalate equipment issues and coordinate with maintenance teams where required.
• Drive equipment reliability and operational uptime.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce all safety procedures and operational standards.
• Drive and maintain 5S practices across the production area.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and legislative requirements.

Reporting & Administration

• Complete ERP transactions, works orders, timesheets, and production records accurately.
• Ensure no outstanding or incomplete production orders remain open.
• Provide detailed and structured shift handovers.
• Maintain accurate production and performance records.

Minimum Requirements (Non-Negotiable)

Qualifications

Candidates must possess ONE of the following:

• Qualified Toolmaker
  OR
• Qualified Fitter & Turner
  OR
• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

No alternative engineering qualifications will be considered.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience managing a production team independently.
• Proven experience leading teams of approximately 45+ employees.
• Strong production management experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing performance, discipline, and employee relations matters.
• ERP or SAP experience at works-order level.
• Legally authorised to work in South Africa.

Highly Advantageous

• Secondary operations or machining environment experience.
• Heat treatment process knowledge.
• Lean Manufacturing experience.
• 5S implementation experience.
• Standard Work and Visual Management methodologies.
• Bottleneck identification and resolution experience.
• IMDS quality systems exposure.
• Solid Edge or similar CAD software experience.

Key Competencies

• Production Leadership
• Team Management & Accountability
• Manufacturing Operations
• Lean Manufacturing Principles
• Continuous Improvement
• Quality Management
• Production Planning
• ERP / SAP Systems
• Performance Management
• Root Cause Analysis
• Problem Solving
• Communication & Leadership
• Safety & Compliance Management