Website Freedom Stationery
Freedom Stationery is a major South African manufacturer and supplier of a wide range of affordable school, office, and household stationery.
Application Details
- Job Reference Number: FST-56
- Department: Head Office Cornubia
- Industry: Manufacturing
- Job Type: Permanent
- Positions Available: 1
- Salary: Market Related
Job Description
Freedom Stationery, a leading manufacturer of high-quality paper and stationery products, is seeking an experienced Factory Manager to lead operational performance at our factory in Cornubia. This role is ideal for a hands-on, results-driven manager with proven expertise in Lean Management, continuous improvement, and high-volume manufacturing environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the factory, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production.
- Lead and implement Lean Management principles including 5S, Kaizen, waste reduction, value-stream mapping, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Drive production planning, workflow optimization, and resource allocation to meet daily and monthly output targets.
- Monitor machine utilization, maintenance schedules, and downtime, implementing strategies to maximize uptime.
- Manage, mentor, and develop production supervisors, team leaders, and operational staff.
- Enforce strict safety, health, environment, and quality (SHEQ) standards across all departments.
- Collaborate with procurement, logistics, and quality departments to ensure smooth workflow and material availability.
- Set and track KPIs for productivity, efficiency, quality, and cost control.
- Identify operational bottlenecks and implement structured problem-solving methodologies (Root Cause Analysis, PDCA, 5 Whys).
- Support new product introductions by ensuring manufacturing readiness and process capability.
- Prepare performance reports for senior management and contribute to strategic planning and budgeting.
Job Requirements
- Diploma or Degree in Production Management, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
- Over five year’s experience in a manufacturing management role (stationery and printing experience will be advantageous).
- Demonstrated experience implementing Lean Manufacturing tools and fostering a continuous-improvement culture.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, workflow optimisation, and quality assurance.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office and manufacturing/ERP systems.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make quick, informed decisions.
Competencies
- Leadership with a coaching and people-development mindset
- Process-driven and detail-oriented
- Strong problem-solving ability
- High sense of urgency and accountability
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement
To apply for this job please visit freedomstationeryjobs.mcidirecthire.com.