Production Engineer

Work Level:  1T3

Reports to: Plant Manager

Scope: Local

Location: Khanyisa/Boksburg

Terms & Conditions: Full-time

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world.

The Production Engineer role is critical to the development of our factories to World Class, which means zero defects, zero waste and zero losses. She/he will apply extensively the full range of Focused and Quality Improvement methods and tools to counter losses identified in the areas of Safety, Quality, Cost Deployment, Customer Service and Logistics. The Cost Deployment pillar will be populated with data built up through application of the Managing Manufacturing Performance Code, which is key to ensuring focus on key losses. Working directly with the line crews on a daily basis.

The Production Engineer also acts as the technical trainer for line teams and provides coaching in phenomena identification, root cause analysis and the establishment of counter-measures. Validation of all process improvements and the establishment of revised basic conditions on the line. A core deliverable is eliminate losses and wastes and increase the stability of the line to support the transition of traditional line teams to semi autonomous teams.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

• Manufacturing and Packaging technology. Rely on basic but consistent understanding of the manufacturing technologies of the Category to drive relevant process improvement
• Consumer and Customer Focus. Building world class factories will eliminate losses and ensure that we do not pass on the cost of inefficiencies to our customers and consumers
• Bias for Action. By providing consistent and near real time information, decisions can be taken quickly which leverage our resources
• Building Talent and Teams. Our vision is to move to semi-autonomous teams and we require Production Engineer’s with a passion for achieving results through great teamwork, an ability to teach new tools and methodologies and ensuring that you and your colleagues are fully aligned, and drawing on one another’s strengths
• Accountability and Responsibility. Taking responsibility for building your team’s performance and sharing your best interventions to help support other lines’ in their improvements
• Growth Mindset. By building world class factories we will become more competitive in the market place and set the standards to which others aspire
• WCM. Apply the full set of WCM methods and tools to identify root causes, define countermeasures and validate their effectiveness; mastery of AM, PM, Q and FI tools and processes. Establish standards to support line operators sustain new basic conditions
• Process and Organisational Design. Leverage technical knowledge and a systems approach to ensure factory lines and processes are optimally resourced (e.g. manpower ratios are efficient and sustainable)
• Analytical capability. Collect and analyse complex data to penetrate problems’ phenomena and understand root causes
• Eliminate Waste and Loss according to the WCM prioritization process using AM, PM, FI and QC pillar tools and methodologies
• Create Technical Standards to ensure process stability on the line • Train line crews on technical standards and restoration of basic conditions (Stability sustainability)
• Identify and extend good practice to other lines
• Application and accuracy of MMP Code data

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

• Bsc in Mechanical Engineering
• 5 years Packaging and Plastic technology Production Engineer with solid WCM or Lean Manufacturing experience within FMCG/ Motor/ Manufacturing industries
• Proficient Optimisation/ SOP’s and WCM/ Lean Manufacturing experience essential
• Must have High Speed Packaging experience
• Must demonstrate a strong technical knowledge across all the site’s processes and lines
• Must possess strong engineering leadership credentials with a proven ability to eliminate loss and waste on significant projects
• Must demonstrate a flair for improvement engineering and coaching
• Project Management experience
• Understanding of Quality Management systems, GMP and Change management process
• Statistics and process control tools experience
• Autonomous Maintenance, Planned Maintenance, Quality and FI tools and processes experience
• Visualize clearly what the ideal production system
• Clearly understand operating principles and establish correct operating standard

Leadership

• You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.
• As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.

• Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors
  • PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
  • PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience.
  • CONSUMER LOVE: Whatever their role, always looks for better ways to serve consumers. Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers.
  • PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.
  • AGILITY: Explores the world around them, continually learning and developing their skills.

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life! This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. 

ARE YOU INTERESTED?

Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications will not be processed. By applying to this role, you are confirming that you have informed your Line Manager and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.   

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment journey. Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner.

En tant qu'employeur responsable et inclusif, Unilever est attentif à la diversité et à la mixité de ses équipes. Nos recruteurs sont engagés et veillent à l'application de processus de recrutement non-discriminants.

Tous nos postes sont ouverts aux personnes en situation de handicap et Unilever accompagne ses collaborateurs dans la mise en place d'éventuels aménagements de poste et de dispositifs d'accessibilité.