Our client is searching for a Technical Manager Divisional to join their team in Sandton.

Job Purpose

• To provide strategic direction on the procurement and deployment of assets and equipment and ensure optimum application of technology.
• To lead the Technical support department in the delivery of manufacturing technologies
• To lead the technical sector of the business and provide strategic direction for the management of assets, equipment and to ensure optimum application of technology.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Lead technological improvements in the business through development and implementation of short to medium term plans.
• Drive the review of equipment capacity utilisation and steer the direction within which the division\ revisits capital investments.
• Drive focused design work to ensure the business responds quickly to market needs.

Capital Expenditure Management

• Manage the business growth model through the stage gate process
• Lead the short to medium term planning process and approval of capital investments related to plant equipment and other assets.
• Identify and lead the equipment procurement process with manufacturers (OEMs).
• Monitor and review the investment returns (ROI) for all equipment procured and assets acquired.

Project Management

• Drive project management frameworks and principles in the commissioning of new equipment
• Lead the process of identifying and recommending suitable equipment technology projects to improve and enhance plant efficiencies.
• Drive the implementation of projects to improve plant efficiencies
• Ensure resource and expertise availability in implementation of new projects.
• Oversee the setting of plant lay-outs and production process flow.

Divisional Technical Standards

• Lead the analysis of product failures in the market and recommend solutions.
• Oversee the development of and review standards for equipment, input materials (raw materials and others), production processes etc.
• Review new product standards and specifications.
• Ensure product/spare/equipment design meets internal standards and fit-for-use

Asset Management

• Ensure Asset Management strategy is developed and implemented effectively (including Autonomous Maintenance Strategy)
• Ensure alignment of Asset Management Strategy to Operational Excellence philosophy as well as\ Digital Transformation philosophy
• Ensure Asset Care Performance Indicators (RACPI’s) are trended, and action is taken to correct deviations from standards
• Ensure Maintenance budgets are developed and reviewed according to current financial policies and guidelines
• Ensure a comprehensive maintenance management system is implemented and continuously reviewed using Asset Care principles and guidelines
• Ensure Technical strategy for all relevant functions (e.g. Eng Responsibilities for Environment, Health & Safety, Engineering systems, Site infrastructure, total water & energy, Capex processes, Site Risk etc
• Ensure resource capability development (Training & Coaching programmes) for Asset Management Competence

Operational Excellence

• Lead the identification of risks to improve performance.
• Integrate systems, tools (parts and components) and equipment to reduce complexity in manufacturing process.
• Monitor team performance and progress against plan, taking corrective action where necessary.
• Provide feedback to team members and coach where necessary. Ensure unacceptable performance is dealt with effectively and timeously and that good performance is recognised.
• Set up formal team structures for problem solving
• Ensure application of visual management practices for effective team updates
• Apply Leading and Managing Change (LMC) process to ensure stakeholders buy-in for necessary improvements
• Drive and encourage the team to apply the Foundation Practices, ensure adherence to standards and coach team in Foundation principles and practices.
• Encourage the team to keep up to date with relevant technologies and apply the best available technologies for the business

Capability Building

• Ensure the transfer of technical knowledge from subject matter experts in the team into the business and build capability.
• Coach the team in developing the skills to transfer their knowledge and work with the learning and development team in this regard

Lead the team

• Lead and manage the Technical team
• Manage and quality assure team deliverables
• Review skill set of team, identify training needs with members and facilitate the necessary training
• Resource the team and recruit when required, manage individual performance of team members and apply all relevant Human Capital practices to ensure an engaged and focused team
• Drive Talent Management and succession planning
• Facilitate the skills transfer in the team to build capabilities within the team

Requirements

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification (Bachelor of Science: Engineering)
• Post Graduate Business Administration qualification advantageous

Job Related Experience Required (and time span)

• 6 -8 years’ experience in technical roles, 5 of which must at least be at Management level.
• Experience in a manufacturing or FMCG environment within Production, or Technical Departments
• Line design experience, designing production lines or production processes
• Method development experience, developing production methods, and/or equipment.
• Project Management experience, setting up new production machinery or equipment.
• Experience in packaging
• Experience with managing manufacturing technology, the procurement and deployment thereof
• Exposure to supply chain, quality, safety, risk management

Job Related Knowledge 

• Governance and compliance at board level
• Knowledge and experience of manufacturing solutions and\ systems
• Operational Excellence
• Continuous Improvement practices
• Safety and Risk Management

Job Related Skills

• Systems knowledge i.e. Asset Management solutions, ERP (Pragma, JDE)
• Financial acumen
• Microsoft Office suite – advanced level
• Structured project management systems
• Organisational skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Structured problem-solving tools/approaches
• Analytical skills
• Presentation skills
• Ability to influence others and negotiate
• Coaching and leading teams

Problem Solving, Decision Making & Complexity of Role

• Problem solving varies from routine (systemic problems) to complex.
• The problems are largely ambiguous and require further probing with many ‘moving parts’.
• Problem solving requires analysis, interpretation and judgement.

Accountability

• Accountable for delivery of projects on time, in full, on budget with minimal delays and errors
• Accountable for the provision of reliable technology and solutions that enhance efficiencies of the plants
• Accountable for the transfer of knowledge to build capability within the business and to ensure that the knowledge is entrenched and easy to apply

Competencies

• Planning & Organising
• Business Skills & Knowledge
• Learning Orientation
• Action Orientation
• Positive Attitude
• Harnessing Diversity

Technical Competencies

• Asset management solutions
• Systems
• Production expertise
• Project Management
• Organisational Excellence/continuous improvement
• Risk Management
• Financial Acumen