Johannesburg: General Manager

General Manager – Manufacturing (Hygiene/Tissue Products) Location: Gauteng – Manufacturing Site Permanent, Full Time Role Purpose Lead and direct the full manufacturing value-chain for hygiene/tissue products (from pulp/rolls through to finished product conversion and packaging) to deliver on safety, quality, cost, delivery and people targets. Develop a high-performance culture, drive continuous improvement, and ensure the business meets its strategic and operational objectives. Key Responsibilities Ensure safe, compliant operations in line with SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment & Quality) standards. Lead a multidisciplinary management team (production, engineering, maintenance, quality, logistics, HR) to deliver business plan objectives. Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence programmes (lean manufacturing, TPM, OEE improvements, waste/yield optimisation). Develop and implement operating strategies to minimise cost, maximise throughput and improve product quality. Forecast and plan operational requirements including technology, equipment, manpower, infrastructure. Maintain a constructive industrial relations climate; ensure workforce capability development and succession planning. Establish and monitor key operational metrics: schedule adherence, OEE, waste, rejects, material usage variance, cost variances. Lead capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) planning for the site, ensure execution of projects on time and budget. Champion asset management strategy – ensure production & maintenance tasks align with asset care plans. Collaborate with supply chain, procurement and commercial teams to align manufacturing capacity with market demand and customer requirements. Required Experience & Qualifications Tertiary qualification (BSc, BEng, BTech or equivalent) in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Pulp & Paper Technology, Industrial Engineering or equivalent. Minimum 8-10 years’ manufacturing plant experience plus at least 8-10 years in a senior management role in a manufacturing environment. Experience in FMCG hygiene, tissue or paper-converting manufacturing is strongly preferred. Proven track record of leading operational transformation: OEE improvement, waste reduction, schedule adherence, cost control. Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma or similar methodologies. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication and leadership skills. Ability to build and lead teams, drive culture change and develop talent. Demonstrated experience managing budgets, CAPEX projects, and delivering against key financial and operational targets. Personal Attributes Strategic thinker with hands-on operational DNA. Results oriented, resilient under pressure, and comfortable in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Collaborative leader with strong influence across functional teams. Passionate about safety, quality, continuous improvement and people development. Strong commercial awareness and commitment to deliver operational excellence aligned with business strategy.