Production Manager (Lubricant) at Vantegral Consulting

Job Summary

• The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing the entire production process at our lubricant and plastic manufacturing plant.
• This role involves strategic planning to ensure optimal production efficiency, quality assurance, cost control, and adherence to safety standards.
• The Production Manager will lead and develop a team of skilled professionals to meet production targets and support the growth of the company.
• This position also requires fostering strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to enhance overall operational effectiveness.

Responsibilities
Operations Planning & Management:

• Create and execute detailed production schedules aligning with sales forecasts to meet customer demand without overstocking.
• Analyze production data to determine areas for improvement, implementing strategies to enhance production efficiency.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with logistics, procurement, and sales to synchronize production efforts and align with business objectives.
• Ensure products meet established quality standards.
• Production improvement planning.

Stakeholder Relationship Management:

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key suppliers and vendors to ensure seamless procurement of raw materials and timely deliveries.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams such as R&D and Quality Control to drive product innovation and quality improvements.

HSE Compliance:

• Develop and enforce comprehensive safety policies to minimize workplace injuries and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Lead HSE audits and risk assessments, implementing corrective actions as required to uphold safety standards.

Team Leadership & Management:

• Inspire and motivate production teams through effective leadership, maintaining high levels of engagement and performance.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, identifying skill gaps, and facilitating targeted training and development programs.

Maintenance Metrics:

• Planned vs. Emergency Maintenance Work Orders: Indicator of scheduled versus disruptive, unplanned maintenance.
• Downtime in Proportion to Operating Time: Direct measure of asset availability for production.

Key Performance Indicators
Financial:

• Budget Management (% Actual to Budgeted Costs)
• Cost Savings
• Production Volume
• Product / Material Wastage / Error
• Production Efficiency (per period, per person, per labour hour, per machine hour)

Internal Process:

• Compliance/Non-Compliance Levels – ISO; GMP
• HSE Indicators – Compliance levels, Incidents/Accidents reported, Cost of accidents, Days lost to Injury
• Actual to Target Production Output
• Increase in production capacity utilization of at least 3% per year

Customer:

• Customer Feedback

Learning & Growth:

• Self and Team Development – Competency Development; Skills Improvement
• Training Hours

Efficiency Metrics:

• Throughput: Volume produced on a machine, line, or plant over time.
• Capacity Utilization: Extent of manufacturing output capacity used.
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE): Combines availability, performance, and quality to evaluate equipment or line effectiveness.
• Schedule or Production Attainment: % of time target production is achieved within the planned schedule.

Innovation Metrics:

• Rate of New Product Introduction: Speed of moving from design and development to manufacturing and customer delivery.
• Engineering Change Order Cycle Time: Time taken to implement design changes or modifications into production.

Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a Chemical Science or Engineering discipline.
• A relevant postgraduate qualification is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 8 years of cognitive experience in lubricant operations.
• Experience in production and manufacturing.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies:

• Lubricants formulation and production operations.
• Business and Financial Acumen; Financial Management; Knowledge of P&L.
• Quality Control and Assurance.
• Operations Management.
• HSE practices and procedures.
• Interpersonal and Communication skills.
• Analytical, critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Relationship Management
• Logistics and Warehouse Management.
• Inventory Management.
• Planning & Organisation.
• Managerial Skills.

Personal Attributes:

• Result-driven, Resilient, Creative, Inspiring, Collaborative, Assertive.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Overtime and weekend work may be required.

Application Closing Date
1st September, 2025.