Factory Manager

SUMMARY:
Factory Manager
Location:     Parow, Cape Town
Reporting to: Production Manager
Our client is a well-established South African manufacturer specialising in the design and production of industrial fans and air movement solutions for sectors including mining, power generation, HVAC, marine, and heavy industry.
We are seeking a hands-on Factory Manager from a sheet metal manufacturing or engineering environment to support the Production Manager in overseeing multiple production departments, including Foundry, CNC, Steel Fabrication, and Service & Maintenance.

POSITION INFO:
This role is operationally focused and requires an individual who is comfortable working on the shop floor, driving process improvements, resolving production challenges in real time, and ensuring smooth coordination across departments.
The successful candidate will bring a practical, solutions-driven approach and must be willing to engage directly with teams and processes when required.
Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Production Manager in overseeing daily factory operations across multiple departments
• Ensure production flow between Foundry, CNC, Fabrication, and Service is aligned and efficient
• Identify bottlenecks and implement practical, workable solutions to improve throughput
• Monitor production schedules and ensure deadlines are consistently met
• Maintain high standards of quality, ensuring adherence to drawings and specifications
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimise productivity and reduce waste
• Supervise and support supervisors, artisans, and shop floor staff
• Ensure effective staff deployment and utilisation across departments
• Work closely with maintenance teams to maximise machine uptime and utilisation
• Enforce health, safety, and housekeeping standards across the factory
• Monitor KPIs and implement corrective actions where required
• Step in operationally where needed — including hands-on involvement in resolving production issues

• N5 or higher qualification in Mechanical Engineering or similar
• Proven experience in a manufacturing / engineering environment, ideally sheet metal, fabrication, or heavy industrial
• Strong exposure to multi-department production environments
• Solid understanding of machining, fabrication, and assembly processes
• Experience in industries such as HVAC, fans, pumps, compressors, or related equipment advantageous
• Demonstrated ability to manage shop floor operations and teams

• Hands-on, practical approach to problem solving
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and workflow integration
• Ability to identify inefficiencies and implement workable improvements
• Good leadership and team coordination skills
• Strong communication across technical and operational teams
• Ability to work under pressure and resolve issues quickly
• High attention to quality, safety, and production standards
• Process-driven with a continuous improvement mindset

• Exposure to a diverse manufacturing environment (Foundry, CNC, Fabrication, Service)
• Opportunity to play a key role in stabilising and improving production flow
• A role suited to someone who prefers being on the floor rather than behind a desk
• Direct impact on operational efficiency and factory performance