Plant Manager

SUMMARY:
Our client manufactures a wide range of cement products at its grinding plant in Port Elizabeth, has an opportunity available for a Plant Manager.

POSITION INFO:
As the Cement Grinding Unit Head, you will be responsible for overseeing the efficient operation and management of a cement grinding unit located in South Africa. This role involves leading and coordinating all aspects of the cement grinding unit's activities to achieve production targets, quality standards, and operational excellence. You will be accountable for managing resources, implementing strategies, and ensuring adherence to safety and environmental regulations.

This is a Senior Manager position reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer

They are looking for someone with good business acumen, management, and leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all functions within the Plant operations to ensure the smooth running of various functions and ensure department heads are held accountable for daily activities/responsibilities.
• Foster positive relationships with internal stakeholders (senior management, other departments) to align goals and priorities.
• Liaise with external stakeholders, including suppliers, customers, regulatory authorities, and local communities, to address concerns, resolve issues, and maintain a positive reputation for the grinding unit.
  
  Health & Safety:
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations and promote a safe working culture within the grinding unit.
• Conduct regular safety audits, identify potential hazards, and implement preventive measures to mitigate risks. ·
• Champion sustainability initiatives and drive environmental stewardship by implementing energy-saving measures and waste-reduction strategies.
  
  Operational Leadership:
• Develop and implement strategies to optimize the grinding unit's operational performance, including production capacity, output quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Manage and direct the activities of the grinding unit, including planning, scheduling, and coordinating production activities.
• Monitor and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify areas for improvement and take corrective actions as required.
• Ensure compliance with all operational procedures, quality standards, and safety protocols.

• Oversee the grinding process, including raw material preparation, clinker grinding, and cement packaging, to ensure efficient and timely production.
• Monitor production parameters and adjust operational variables to optimize efficiency, productivity, and product quality.
• Coordinate with maintenance and engineering teams to ensure the availability and reliability of grinding equipment.
• Implement measures to minimize downtime, reduce waste, and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

• Establish and maintain strict quality control processes to ensure that cement products meet regulatory standards and customer requirements.
• Conduct regular inspections and tests to verify product quality, including particle size distribution, chemical composition, and fineness.
• Collaborate with the quality assurance team to address any quality issues, investigate root causes, and implement corrective actions.

• Recruit, train, and develop a competent team of grinding unit personnel.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to the team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Set performance goals, conduct performance evaluations, and provide coaching and feedback to enhance employee performance and engagement.

• Develop and manage the grinding unit's annual budget, including expenses related to labor, raw materials, equipment maintenance, and utilities.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities, optimize resource allocation, and implement measures to improve operational efficiency.
• Monitor and control production costs to ensure adherence to budgetary constraints.

• Ensure maintenance schedule are planned to avoid downtime.
• Collaborate with the maintenance department to develop and execute preventive maintenance plans for cement grinding and packing plant equipment.
• Ability to use appropriate root cause analysis decision tools for decision making, responsible for downtime meticulous and technical minded.

• Prepare regular reports on production, quality, maintenance, and safety performance.
• Maintain accurate records of production data, equipment maintenance, and inventory levels.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of reports and documentation to Chief Executive Officer.

• Increase production, assets capacity and flexibility while minimizing unnecessary costs and maintaining current quality standards.
• Allocate resources effectively and fully utilize assets to produce optimal results.

• Educational Qualifications, Bachelor of Engineering – Mechanical (Preferably)
• Minimum of 5- 8 years managerial experience within a Cement manufacturing, heavy industry environment,
• Excellent commercial acumen (budgeting, strategic planning, resource allocation)
• Experience in maintenance and repair, processes are highly preferred.
• Be knowledgeable of safety, quality, productivity, demand creation, inventory
  
  
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Advanced practical technical knowledge of processes, preventative, running maintenance
• Advanced technical problem-solving skills.
• Technically equipped with knowledge of machinery/equipment.

• Technically Inclined
• Strategic thinker
• Interpersonal skills and high-level attention to detail
• Problem solver
• Strong administration and advanced MS packages skills
• Excellent Communicator
• High level of Emotional Intelligence
• Drive Innovation
• Conflict resolution and decision maker