Overview
Workshop Manager /HOD Jobs in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa at ExecutivePlacements.com
Title: Workshop Manager /HOD
Company: ExecutivePlacements.com
Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Workshop Manager/HOD
Recruiter:
MECS Africa
Job Ref:
Sup000211/HP
Date posted:
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Location:
Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
SUMMARY:
Our client, a well-established engineering manufacturer supplying high-quality components to local and international heavy equipment markets, is seeking an experienced and hands-on, technical Workshop Manager/HOD to lead a large-scale production workshop.
POSITION INFO:
This is not an office-based administrative role. This is a hands-on, shop-floor focused role where more than 70% of your time will be spent in the factory managing people, machines, workflow, quality, and production output. This position will be responsible for leading the planning, production and day-to-day operations of a precision-engineering manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate is a production-driven, technical leader who is able to manage pressure and deadlines to ensure excellent quality, output and team performance.
Responsibilities:
- Manage the daily operations of a high-volume engineering workshop to ensure a smooth and efficient production flow
- Oversee production flow across multiple departments, machines, and shifts
- Maintain strict adherence to established manufacturing procedures and standards
- Allocate jobs accurately and effectively across CNC machines, gear cutting equipment, grinding and machining centres
- Lead and manage a workforce of 100+ employees across multiple shifts
- Ensure productivity, throughput, and on-time delivery targets are achieved
- Troubleshoot technical, machine, and production issues timeously
- Drive workflow improvements and eliminate bottlenecks
- Ensure all job cards, schedules, and production reports are accurate, completed accurately and in a timely manner
- Maintain strict quality standards and tolerance requirements
- Coordinate with production, maintenance, quality, stores, and logistics teams to optimise operations
Essential Requirements
- Proven experience as a Workshop Manager/Production Manager/Machine Shop Manager in a manufacturing environment
- Strong hands-on experience with CNC mills and lathes, gear shapers and cutters, CNC gear grinders and hobbing machines
- Experience managing production flow in a high-output machine shop
- Experience leading 100+ staff members across multiple shifts
- Strong technical fault-finding and problem-solving ability
- Strong leadership, planning, and people management skills
- Good understanding of machining tolerances, tooling, and production scheduling
- Computer literate (ERP/production systems advantageous)
Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum Trade Tested Artisan (Fitter, Turner, Machinist)