General Manager Designate

Our client is searching for a General Manager Designate to join their team in Vereeniging

Main Purpose

Responsible for the safe, efficient operations of the Manufacturing value chain at the Mill and business units. Lead a multidisciplinary management team to achieve business plan objectives across safety, quality, cost, HR capability development, and cultural change. Specific additional accountability for leading the PM5 Value Stream and associated KPIs.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Accountability

• Professional leadership by example; encourage performance excellence, accountability, consistency and fairness

• Coach and develop team members; implement effective people development and performance management programmes

• Conduct regular performance reviews; create a culture of high performance and continuous improvement

Operational

• Drive a quality-first manufacturing culture; ensure quality control programme adherence

• Ensure strict schedule adherence; manage rapid response team for deviations

• Lead continuous improvement programmes; identify and prioritise improvement opportunities

• Timeous reporting in line with OMS and business requirements

• Ensure Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is conducted for all downtime events

Cost

• Control all operational costs within budget; report variances with corrective action

• Review and control material usage variance (MUV)

• Assist in developing Operational and Maintenance budgets with Technical department

Training and Development

• Develop and maintain departmental succession plan

• Identify skills gaps; coordinate appropriate training with Engineers and L&D

• Assist in developing in-service students and production trainees

Asset Management

• Support and drive company asset management strategy

• Ensure execution of production and maintenance tasks per Asset Care Plans

OPEX & CAPEX

• Identify Capex requirements; ensure cost estimates and motivations are completed

• Develop a 5-year Capital Plan and Major Service Plan for the site

• Ensure projects are implemented effectively, on time and within budget

SHEQ

• Create and drive a Safety, Health, Environment and Risk culture

• Ensure all Safe Work Procedures are current and adhered to

• Ensure all accidents and incidents are investigated with preventative action taken

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications:

• Matric

• Degree in Management, Business Administration, or Engineering

• Preferred: B.Sc. (Chem Eng), B.Sc. Chemistry, B.Tech (Pulp & Paper Technology), or B.Sc. (Mech/Elec Eng)

Experience:

• 25 years' experience in senior site roles, OR

• 5+ years' experience in a manufacturing plant plus 5+ years in a management or engineering position

• 5+ years at senior management level in a paper manufacturing environment (non-negotiable)

• Paper making experience essential -- must understand how a mill is run

• Industrial Relations experience

Favourable Competencies:

• Lean Manufacturing, 6-Sigma or similar

• Sound analytical, statistical and problem-solving skills

• Risk management expertise

• Computer literacy

Core KPIs

Schedule adherence | Safety | Quality | Cost | Culture/Ethics | Savings

Core Competencies

• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary, multicultural teams

• Strong communication, motivational and negotiation skills

• Exceptional organisational skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability

• Awareness of internal and external customer needs