Programme Engineering Manager (Industrial Engineering or FMCG Household Products) seeks a position as Technical Director. In an ideal Technical Director role aligned with my strengths and values, my primary focus would be shaping and delivering high-impact manufacturing systems that drive long-term business performance.

I am most energised by defining and executing manufacturing strategy, particularly in complex environments – setting a clear vision for how a factory or network should evolve and translating that into practical, high-value initiatives.

I add the most value when leading large-scale capital projects and greenfield developments, where I can integrate technology, processes, and people to build fit-for-purpose, future-ready operations.

A key area of focus would be developing high-performing teams and leaders, creating an environment where people take ownership, grow in capability, and sustain performance over time.

I also thrive on solving complex operational challenges, such as unlocking capacity, improving efficiency, and driving step-change improvements through structured problem-solving and system optimisation.

Finally, I am highly motivated by strategic decision-making, particularly regarding investment choices and how best to position manufacturing to support business growth across markets.

Company classification: Manufacturing / OEM ( Tier 1 & 2) (products, equipment and/or machinery) Industry in: FMCG Household Products Highest formal qualification and other: Post graduate Degree Discipline: Industrial Engineering Years of experience range: f. 16 to 20 years (e. More than 10 years management) Annual package range: South African Rand - ZAR Annual package range: 1.55 mil - 1.8 mil, per annum Nationality: South African Home and other languages: English Gender: Male Ethnicity: Caucasian/White Candidate location: South Africa Location preference: I am open to positions both nationally and internationally.

I am an engineering executive with 18 years’ experience delivering large-scale manufacturing projects and leading complex factory transformations across Africa. My core strength is building and optimising industrial systems and teams that perform sustainably at world-class levels.

I have led the full lifecycle of a €140 million greenfield factory, from feasibility and design through to commissioning and operationalisation, ensuring strong integration of process, people, and systems. More recently, I have led a major factory turnaround, delivering structural cost reductions exceeding €5 million annually, while driving a 20% OEE improvement programme and a skills and culture refresh.

I was Product Group Supply Chain Lead for Africa, managing supply across multiple markets and leading key investment decisions, including evaluating when to continue importing versus onshoring production to support long-term growth and competitiveness.

I bring a disciplined approach to supply chain strategy and capital governance, with a strong focus on design for operability and compliance, and a deep commitment to building capable, high-performing teams. I am particularly focused on ensuring factories are not only delivered successfully, but also operate reliably, safely, and efficiently from day one.

Contribution Compass Profile: Connector

Activating: 23.21 Inspiring: 30.36 Sustaining: 33.93 Refining: 12.5

The Connector is one of the eight natural energy profiles identified by the online profiling tool Contribution Compass that Enshrine Placements have incorporated into their recruitment process to help improve employee engagement. Putting the right profiles together means deliberately structuring your team to function at its optimum.
In this video we address some questions to demonstrate how a Connector can leverage the most value for your team.

Online Interview Questionnaire

Primary purpose of current/most recent position:

The primary purpose of my current role is to lead the transformation of a large-scale manufacturing site to restore competitiveness across cost, quality, and efficiency. This involves building the right organisational capability, stabilising and optimising core processes, and implementing a structured capital and improvement programme to unlock performance.

A key focus is integrating people, process, and equipment to ensure sustainable results — not just short-term gains. This includes developing engineering and operational capability, embedding disciplined problem-solving, and establishing a clear roadmap to world-class performance.

In parallel, I am responsible for defining and executing the site master plan, including equipment renewal, debottlenecking, and longer-term strategic initiatives such as decarbonisation.

Ultimately, the role is about creating a high-performing, self-sustaining operation that can consistently deliver reliable, high-quality output at a competitive cost, while building a strong foundation for future growth.

Core elements or functions that must operate effectively in order to achieve primary purpose:

To achieve the primary purpose of the role, five core elements must operate effectively:

1. Capability and leadership development – Building a strong engineering and operations team with clear roles, accountability, and the skills required to sustain performance improvements.
2. Process stability and equipment reliability – Restoring and maintaining core assets to operate as per design, ensuring consistent, high-quality output and eliminating variability.
3. Structured performance management – Embedding disciplined problem-solving, loss analysis, and KPI tracking to drive continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
4. Capital planning and execution – Defining and delivering a focused capital programme to renew assets, remove bottlenecks, and support long-term competitiveness.
5. Clear strategic direction and alignment – Establishing a site master plan and ensuring alignment across teams to deliver both short-term improvements and long-term transformation.

Description of self, along with greater purpose and passions:

I would describe myself as a builder — of world-class manufacturing systems and engineering solutions, high-performing teams, and ultimately, people.

Professionally, I have built my career on taking on complex challenges and turning them into structured, high-impact outcomes. This includes leading large-scale greenfield developments from concept through to full operational delivery, as well as transforming underperforming operations into competitive, high-performing assets. I operate naturally at the intersection of strategy and execution — setting direction, making disciplined investment decisions, and ensuring delivery at a high standard.

What differentiates me most, however, is my passion for people. I am deeply committed to developing others and unlocking potential — helping individuals grow in capability, confidence, and purpose. I invest significant energy into coaching and mentoring, because I believe that sustainable performance is always built on strong, empowered teams.

Beyond my professional role, I am driven by a broader purpose of helping people realise their full potential and live more meaningful, balanced lives. This is reflected in my work in public speaking, personal development, and wellbeing.

At my core, I am someone who builds — systems that perform, teams that excel, and people who grow.

Ideal business title:

Technical Director

Key responsibilities and accountabilities of ideal position:

In an ideal Technical Director role aligned to my strengths and values, my primary focus would be on shaping and delivering high-impact manufacturing systems that drive long-term business performance.

I am most energised by defining and executing manufacturing strategy, particularly in complex environments — setting a clear vision for how a factory or network should evolve and translating that into practical, high-value initiatives.

I add the most value when leading large-scale capital projects and greenfield developments, where I can integrate technology, process, and people to build fit-for-purpose, future-ready operations.

A key area of focus would be developing high-performing teams and leaders, creating an environment where people take ownership, grow in capability, and sustain performance over time.

I also thrive in solving complex operational challenges, such as unlocking capacity, improving efficiency, and driving step-change improvements through structured problem-solving and system optimisation.

Finally, I am highly motivated by strategic decision-making, particularly around investment choices and how to best position manufacturing to support business growth across markets.

Skill area of competence:

My core areas of competence are centered around the design, delivery, and optimization of complex manufacturing systems at scale, with a strong focus on integrating process, technology, and people.

A key area of expertise is greenfield factory development, including feasibility studies, capacity modelling, and dynamic simulation modelling to validate plant design and eliminate bottlenecks upfront. I have led full lifecycle delivery — from concept and detailed design through to installation, commissioning, and operational ramp-up — integrating multidisciplinary systems across process, mechanical, electrical, and control & automation.

I have deep capability in process engineering and optimization, including debottlenecking, OEE improvement, and structured loss analysis. This includes experience in liquid processing systems, powders processing and handling, soap making, spray drying, personal care product processing, foods processing, hygienic design, and Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems, ensuring both efficiency and compliance with quality standards.

My expertise also covers packing technologies and automation, including high-speed filling systems (bottles, pouches, sachets), powder filling, case packing, and end-of-line automation such as palletizing and robotic handling systems.

In addition, I bring strong capability in factory layout design, material flow optimization, utilities design and integration (including energy, water, and compressed air systems), ensuring optimal plant performance and scalability.

I also have significant experience in capital strategy and governance, managing large capital portfolios and leading strategic decisions such as onshoring versus import models, balancing cost, flexibility, and long-term competitiveness.

Finally, I bring a strong capability in organizational design and capability building, ensuring that technical systems are supported by the right skills, structures, and culture to sustain performance over time.

Career summary:

18 Years FMCG experience with large scale engineering projects and business strategic development:
3 years in process engineering,
6 years in large scale project delivery in House-Hold Care products in South Africa including a new Euro 140 m factory build (Feasibility, Design, installation, commissioning, building teams and systems to support).
3 years in Personal Care business strategy for Africa (strategic direction, strategic investments and capital management)
4 years Engineering lead for Africa working cross category across 11 factories in Africa managing strategic investments to promote business growth
2 years Household Care Factory transformation (Overall accountability for holistic transformation of the site including: Equipment, people, cost and systems).

What do you absolutely love doing:

What I absolutely love doing is building and transforming systems and people in a way that unlocks their full potential. I am deeply energised by taking on complex challenges — whether it’s shaping a new operation or turning around an underperforming one — and bringing together strategy, execution, and people to create something that performs at a truly high level.

What matters most to me, though, is developing people. I have a genuine passion for coaching and mentoring — helping individuals connect to their purpose, grow in confidence, and realise their highest potential. I find it incredibly rewarding to see people step into their capability, take ownership, and achieve more than they initially believed possible.

This extends beyond the workplace. I have a strong interest in public speaking, particularly in a motivational context, and have had the opportunity to speak to audiences of over 1,000 people, as well as on various online platforms focused on personal development. I am passionate about helping people shift their thinking and take meaningful action in their lives.

At my core, I am driven by growth — of systems, of teams, and of individuals — and I get the most energy from environments where I can contribute to that in a meaningful and lasting way.

Ideal company (culture and values):

I am most energised by working in organisations where there is a genuine connection between what the business does and the impact it has on people’s lives and the environment. For me, it is important to believe in the product and the purpose behind it — particularly where quality, safety, and trust are fundamental to what is being delivered.

I am drawn to cultures that are deeply people-centred, where leaders take responsibility for developing others and where individuals feel a sense of ownership and pride in their contribution. In my experience, the most sustainable performance comes from teams who understand the “why” behind their work, not just the “what,” and I value environments that actively create that connection. I am all for driving performance and accountability and developing high performing teams. In my experience you get far more out of a team when you inspire them and connect them to a deeper purpose rather than just driving performance.

I also place a high importance on integrity and responsibility — organisations that are thoughtful about their long-term impact, whether in how they operate, how they source, or how they contribute to the communities they serve.

Ultimately, I do my best work in businesses that balance ambition with purpose — where high standards are expected, but where success is defined not only by results, but by how those results are achieved and the positive difference they make.

If you are looking for a Programme Engineering Manager, then do get in touch.

Call the Head Office – Gauteng, SA. + 27 10 597 0862.

Alternatively click here to email the Enshrine Team

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