Continuous Improvement Engineer

SUMMARY:
Our client a leading organization in the engineering and manufacturing sector based in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town is seeking an experienced Continuous Improvement Engineer to join their team.

POSITION INFO:
Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for identifying and prioritizing high frequency breakdowns as well as downtimes by analysing the production and maintenance data.
• Conduct root cause analysis to determine underlying issues causing downtime.
• Ensure that there are improvement proposals developed for each root cause including technical concepts, cost benefit analysis and feasibility.
• Designing machine or process modifications (component redesign, system changes and process flow improvements) to address the root cause.
• Develop and document step-by-step corrective action plans, procedures and technical specifications aligned to the downtime improvement goal.
• Ensure the successful execution and commissioning of improvement plans, and monitor the results to verify the downtime has been reduced and the machine availability improves.
• Optimize maintenance tools (CMMS or manual systems) to improve asset uptime, support integration and drive process efficiency.
• Mapping and designing standardized maintenance logs, service schedules and performance checklists aligned with production priorities.
• Documenting planned maintenance processes and translating them into system-compatible formats for future ERP integration.
• Identifying and eliminating inefficiencies in the reactive maintenance structure through procedural redesign.
• Ensure new or optimized maintenance processes are tested, validated with production data and implemented across the departments.
• Conceptualizing machine and system improvements.
• Ensure there is alignment with R&D, production and maintenance stakeholders during the development of improvement concepts.
• Collaborate with the design and drafting department regarding approved concepts into finalized CAD drawings and technical documents.
• Provide technical input, validate the bill of materials and reviewing specifications.
• Driving and commissioning physical implementation and validation of design changes, etc.
• Draft proposals, scope, timelines and risk analysis for improvement initiatives.
• Obtain approvals via project proposals, specifications, NPR’s or ECP’s.
• Planning and managing improvement project.
• Ensure the projects stay within budget.
• Update project tracking and take lead with commissioning and handover of implemented changes.
• Weekly reporting on progress on corrective actions, root causes, proposed solutions and implementation status.
• Ensure the teams are kept updated on corrective actions.
• Maintain and update the corrective action tracking dashboard.
• Make recommendations on reprioritizing improvement actions based on feedback.
• Ensure the company specifications and documentation is updated by delegating to Administrators.

• BTech / BEng in Mechanical Engineering.
• Matric certification.
• Advanced mathematical skills.
• At least 5-7 years experience in a similar role / manufacturing background.
• Fully bilingual in Afrikaans and English.
• Own transport.
• Technical skills capabilities.
• Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• An understanding of mechanical machinery.