Port Elizabeth: Operational Excellence Manager – Pharmaceutical Industry posted by Headhunters

Our client, a prominent leader in the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing industry, is seeking to appoint an experienced Operational Excellence Manager to their Port Elizabeth facility.

This senior-level role is responsible for driving transformational performance improvement across the site through the deployment of world-class Operational Excellence methodologies, aligned with both TechOps and Quality strategic priorities.

The successful candidate will have a strong track record in operational transformation, continuous improvement, and senior-level leadership within a manufacturing environmentpreferably pharmaceutical or highly regulated industries.

Requirements:

• BSc Industrial Engineering, B.Pharm, BSc or degree in Operations Management or related science discipline.

• Minimum 10 years production experience at a Senior Management level.

• Strong manufacturing process understanding, ideally within pharmaceutical / regulated industries.

• Proven experience in continuous improvement methodologies and OPEX transformation.

• Extensive Lean training with a solid record of leading process improvement projects.

• Experience conducting site diagnoses and building improvement roadmaps using bottom-up transformation methodologies.

• Strong business acumen with ability to identify strategic, organisational, operational, and financial levers to drive impact.

• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.

• Forward-thinking, resilient, and highly analytical with a strong can-do attitude.

Responsibilities:

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Lead the development and deployment of the Operational Excellence strategy in alignment with OpU and TechOps goals.

• Coordinate OPEX / Transformation programs at OpU level, ensuring alignment with organisational strategic priorities.

• Conduct site diagnostics and develop improvement roadmapsDiagnose, Design, developand implement tactical improvement plans (TIPs) to address key performance challenges.

• Roll out global OPEX standards and ensure compliance with mandatory elements across the site.

• Own and manage core elements of the operating system, including documentation, standards, and the OPEX SharePoint environment.

Performance Management

• Monitor and report on deliverables, KPIs, financial and operational metrics.

• Oversee the development and implementation of performance dashboards and reporting mechanisms.

• Ensure adherence to the Quality Management System and represent the department during audits and inspections.

Budget and Cost Control

• Develop, manage, and control the departmental financial budget.

• Drive cost optimisation initiatives within the department.

• Establish and monitor quality and performance KPIs at defined intervals.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to embed World Class Manufacturing practices.

• Develop long-term strategic roadmaps to meet current and future business needs.

• Identify opportunities for operational efficiency and systemic performance improvement.

People Leadership

• Build and develop high-performance transformation capability within the site.

• Facilitate training, coaching, and upskilling in OE methodologies and mindsets.

• Ensure application of best working practices across the department.

• Conduct performance management, mentorship, and career development interventions.

• Support talent development through structured booster events and capability-building programs.

Quality and Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with cGxP and all relevant quality standards, policies, and procedures.

• Guarantee adherence to QM-controlled processes and documentation.

• Act as the departmental representative during regulatory, internal, and external audits.

• Ensure all subordinates receive adequate training as per the training matrix.

• Enforce compliance with the OHS Act (Act 85 of 1993).

Please be advised that if you do not receive a response within two weeks of applying, you may consider your application unsuccessful.