Hybrid Head of Manufacturing

SUMMARY:
Hybrid Head of Manufacturing, Manufacturing Industry, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

POSITION INFO:

Our client, a socially responsible leader in the Manufacturing industry is seeking to URGENTLY appoint a dynamic Hybrid Head of Manufacturing to be based at their Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Operation.

PLEASE NOTE:

Willingness to commute between Cape Town and Durban occasionally may be required.

MAIN PURPOSE FOR THE ROLE:

• To drive the performance of multifunctional, specialised teams to innovate and deliver across the spectrum of industry needs, including research, policy development, global best practice discovery, value chain and firm-level strategy and execution, manufacturing performance improvement, decarbonisation and environmental sustainability initiatives, skills development, and SME Accelerators.
• To build dignity and opportunity through a production-led economy. This means making South Africa a globally competitive manufacturing centre of excellence.
• To partner with leading companies on value chain and business transformation programmes, and with governments to develop smart industrial policies and facilitate innovative sector development programmes.

KEY COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:

• At minimum a bachelor’s degree in an analytical field from a leading academic university.
• Approximately 5+ years relevant experience, including at a senior level and managing people.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment is essential.
• Strong Excel, PowerPoint and presentation skills.

• Entrepreneurial experience
• Knowledge of manufacturing value chain dynamics
• Management consulting experience.
• Working knowledge of PowerBI and other technical, digital tools.

KEY ROLES AND RESPOSIBILITIES:

• Develop and evolve the portfolio strategy in line with the overall company strategy.
• Lead a team of professionals to deliver on this strategy, building the necessary team competencies and culture.
• Develop strategic external partnerships as needed to deliver excellence.
• Prepare and oversee programme budgets and resources to ensure smooth delivery.
• Drive product, process and overall service innovation.
• Persuade leaders of manufacturing companies of the major potential that lies in the disciplined pursuit of manufacturing excellence.
• For diagnostics, analyse available firm data, spend time on-site and prepare and present a compelling report which covers the client''''''''s drivers of competitiveness, actual performance, reasons for performance and recommendations for improvement.
• Develop new products and present these to existing and new clients in a compelling and clear manner
• For improvement initiatives, quantify the size of the opportunity, generate buy-in, scope out the proof of concept or full project roll-out, oversee delivery and ensure monitoring and evaluation of impact.
• For shared learning, identify common industry weaknesses and pockets of best practice amongst client base and externally, and facilitate best practice tours (virtual and in-person) to create a community for rapid learning.
• Analyse aggregate data and findings across firms to understand performance drivers and trends at the sectoral and multi-sectoral levels, in support of broader industrialisation research and policy objectives.
• Participate actively in internal executive meetings and contribute meaningfully to overall business progression.

Personal and Professional Career advancement inputs that will be expected from the successful candidate:

You will head up our manufacturing excellence portfolio of services. This portfolio''''''''s purpose is to support manufacturers to grow profitably and sustainably through services including performance diagnostics, design and implementation of improvement initiatives, and shared learning for collective efficiency and wider industry impact. Powered by a deep understanding of Lean manufacturing principles, technological innovation, performance analytics and sound business management principles, you''''''''ll be building relationships with a range of clients and stakeholders to analyse business performance and identify strategic levers to effect change.

You want to make a difference in industrial economies by building competencies that result in manufacturing expansion.

You are positive, optimistic and energetic – an ambassador of possibility.

You are an independent thinker, with a natural tendency to improve on the status quo.

You are a self-starter with a bias for action, preferring to get things done over academic rumination.

You have good business acumen – an intuitive understanding of commercial pressures, incentives, challenges and opportunities.

You are passionate and deeply knowledgeable about manufacturing excellence methodologies, including Lean manufacturing, World Class Manufacturing, six sigma, etc.

You are entrepreneurial and tech savvy, with an eye on how proven methodologies could be digitised, productised and commercialised.

You have an understanding of financial and operational performance metrics for manufacturers, and how these may be sourced from company financial statements.

You are socially adaptable with the ability and desire to engage people from different socio-economic backgrounds and in different environments, from boardroom to factory.

You are an outgoing person with excellent language and communication skills – you have no problem picking up the phone and calling a stranger to move forward with a task.

You have an intellectual curiosity, see yourself as a learner and find yourself reading and watching videos about topics that fascinate you.

You have strong attention to detail.

You don’t mind working hard.

Compensation and Social Benefits on offer through employment by our client:

• Private drive, social impact. They are a private company working to improve society through industrialisation. They offer opportunity for balance between the pace of the private sector and the social value working for them brings.
• Flexible workplace policy, allowing you to work from home, the office and/or at clients. They encourage you to strike the right balance between undisturbed deep work, collaboration and social engagement.
• Discretionary awards and bonuses. They recognise and reward performance. If you impress, you can grow quickly with them.
• Uniquely collaborative and fun working environment. They have a cool induction programme to rapidly immerse you in their world, and a rhythm of huddles which aligns the whole company, includes fun themes and games, and celebrates the wins they achieve every week.

Apply Now!

NOTE WELL:

Our client is an Equal Opportunity employer and preference will be given to Previously Disadvantaged Individuals as prescribed by the Employment Equity Act.

WILLINGNESS TO RELOCATE TO DURBAN IS ESSENTIAL. SHOULD THIS OPPORTUNITY NOT BE ALIGNED TO YOUR CAREER ASPIRATIONS, KINDLY FORWARD IT TO A FRIEND.

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