Industrial Engineer – QSR Operations

About the role

The Industrial Engineer will drive operational efficiency across a network of quick‑service restaurants (QSR). Using industrial engineering principles, you will optimise processes, labour deployment and capacity planning to enhance throughput, reduce waste and improve the customer experience.

Key responsibilities

• Map and analyse restaurant, kitchen and service workflows to identify bottlenecks and improve flow.
• Develop labour standards, staffing models and capacity plans that align with demand patterns.
• Conduct time‑and‑motion studies and establish standard operating procedures and productivity benchmarks.
• Lead continuous‑improvement initiatives to reduce cycle time, equipment downtime, cost and variability while maintaining safety and food‑safety standards.
• Design and evaluate restaurant and kitchen layouts and equipment configurations for maximum efficiency.
• Collect, analyse and report operational data (service times, throughput, waste, labour) to support decision‑making.
• Manage improvement projects from feasibility and cost‑benefit analysis through implementation and hand‑over.
• Partner with operations teams to roll out new standards and train store teams on optimised processes.

Required profile

• 2–3 years of experience as an Industrial Engineer, preferably in QSR, retail, hospitality or other high‑volume operations.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (BEng/BSc Eng) – NQF Level 7.
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt) is advantageous.
• Project Management certification is a plus.
• Own vehicle and a valid driver’s licence.
• Willingness to travel throughout South Africa.

Required skills

• Process mapping and workflow analysis.
• Time‑and‑motion studies and work‑measurement techniques.
• Labour standards development and capacity planning.
• Lean Six Sigma methodology (Green/Black Belt).
• Layout design and equipment optimisation.
• Data analysis using Excel and Power BI.
• Project management and stakeholder collaboration.