TRAFFIC
Eastern Cape
Production Manager - Automotive
EnableSA
South African Rand . ZAR 200,000 - 300,000
Job Description
Responsibilities 
- Plan, organise, and manage daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules to meet customer demand.
- Ensure optimal utilisation of labour, machinery, and materials.
- Monitor production output, efficiency, scrap, and downtime; implement corrective actions where required.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S).
- Ensure compliance with automotive quality standards such as IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer-specific requirements.
- Work closely with Quality to investigate non-conformances, customer complaints, and internal defects.
- Ensure adherence to process controls, work instructions, and standard operating procedures.
- Ensure compliance with South African OHSA, company safety standards, and environmental regulations.
- Promote a strong safety culture and ensure risk assessments, toolbox talks, and safety audits are conducted.
- Investigate incidents and implement preventative measures.
- Lead, motivate, and develop production supervisors, team leaders, and operators.
- Manage staffing levels, shift patterns, overtime, and absenteeism.
- Conduct performance reviews, training needs analysis, and succession planning.
- Ensure compliance with labour legislation and company HR policies.
- Manage production budgets and control manufacturing costs.
- Analyse KPIs such as OEE, productivity, scrap, rework, and delivery performance.
- Implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising quality or safety.
- Grade 12
- Bachelor's Degree or National Diploma in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Production Management, or similar.
- Relevant production or operations management certification will be advantageous.
- 5-10 years' experience in a manufacturing environment, withat least 5 years in the automotive industry.
- Proven experience managing high-volume automotive production lines.
- Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing processes (assembly, machining, press, welding, or injection moulding depending on plant).
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Continuous Improvement tools.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and production reporting tools.
- Solid understanding of IATF 16949 and automotive quality systems.
Job Overview
Date Posted
07 Feb 2026
Salary
South African Rand . ZAR
200,000 - 300,000
Location
Eastern Cape, South Africa