Project & Plant Manager - Corrugated Packaging

About the role

A textile manufacturing and retail client, recruited by Talent Candey, is looking for an experienced, hands-on Project & Plant Manager to lead the establishment of a new in-house corrugated packaging conversion facility in Durban. This is a greenfield project, from feasibility studies and machinery selection through to commissioning, ramp-up and ongoing operations. It is not a traditional Plant Manager role: the successful candidate must also lead the technical project implementation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the technical and operational feasibility study, including make-versus-buy assessments, CAPEX, operating costs, ROI and risk analysis.
• Determine machinery and tooling needs, evaluate suppliers and develop plant layouts, workflows and material handling.
• Lead installation, commissioning, testing and production ramp-up, and set up SOPs, quality standards and preventative maintenance.
• Take full operational responsibility after commissioning, managing output, costs, quality, waste, efficiency and delivery.
• Monitor OEE, downtime, machine utilisation and production KPIs, and drive Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Build the plant's organisation, recruit and train staff, and establish performance management and accountability systems.

Required profile

• Qualification in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Packaging or Production Engineering/Management.
• Essential hands-on experience in corrugated packaging conversion, carton/box production or similar industrial packaging manufacturing.
• Experience with machinery selection, line installation, commissioning, plant expansion or greenfield projects.
• 8-15+ years of manufacturing experience is advantageous.
• Proven ability to lead production teams and coordinate cross-functional projects.

Required skills

• Knowledge of corrugated board specifications, flute profiles, tooling and converting machinery.
• Experience with die-cutters, creasers, slotters, flexographic printing, folder-gluers and stitching equipment.
• Understanding of manufacturing costing, waste reduction, material yield and machine utilisation.
• Production management, maintenance, quality systems and continuous improvement.
• Analytical, problem-solving, reporting and stakeholder management skills.
• Advantageous: CAPEX budgeting, feasibility studies, ERP/MRP, Lean, TPM, OEE and preventative maintenance.