Production / Plant Manager – Heavy Rail Manufacturing

Johannesburg, South AfricaFull-timeSeniorOn-sitePosted 10 Nov 2026

Job Overview

Recruitment Legends' client, an established South African engineering and manufacturing business in the heavy-haul railway and rolling-stock sector, is seeking a Production Manager / Plant Manager in Kempton Park (advertised R75,000–R100,000 CTC per month). The business designs, manufactures and refurbishes heavy-haul wagons, self-steering bogies and locomotives.

This hands-on leadership role drives production performance, manufacturing efficiency, quality, safety, people, cost and delivery across heavy fabrication, welding, machining and assembly, coordinating closely with engineering, quality, procurement, stores, maintenance and projects.

Key Responsibilities

Take overall responsibility for day-to-day manufacturing and production activities

Achieve production plans against schedules, specifications, budgets and quality requirements

Monitor daily, weekly and monthly output and resolve bottlenecks

Optimise production flow, labour, machine utilisation and capacity

Develop and maintain detailed production schedules and realistic lead times

Coordinate with engineering, procurement, stores and project management on materials

Adjust schedules for shortages, breakdowns and engineering changes

Lead heavy fabrication, welding, cutting, forming and machining processes

Drive accountability, safety and quality throughout the production team

Ensure accurate production reporting and performance monitoring

Required Qualifications

Experienced manufacturing leader comfortable on the factory floor and at management level

Production or plant management experience in heavy fabrication, steel manufacturing or engineering production

Strong understanding of steel fabrication, welding, machining and structural manufacturing

Experience leading production teams and coordinating engineering, quality, procurement, stores and maintenance

Commercially aware, with strong planning, cost, quality and safety focus

Skills & Requirements

Production ManagementPlant ManagementHeavy FabricationWeldingProduction PlanningLean ManufacturingCapacity PlanningRolling StockQuality ControlHealth & SafetyTeam LeadershipCost Control