Head of Manufacturing Execution

Only candidates who have completed the Test Gorilla assessment with webcam on will be considered. This is a high performance job and this minimizes unconscious bias in our hiring process, allowing initial aplicant review to be result driven. Please plan 1 hour of dedicated time to perform the assessment at the below listed link:

Engineering Manufacturing | Cape Town

This is not a traditional workshop manager role.

This role exists to take full ownership of manufacturing execution and production flow, so that the Founder is no longer involved in day-to-day firefighting, prioritisation, or deadline enforcement.

If you are looking for guidance, consensus-driven decision making, or a low-accountability management role, this position will not be a fit.

• You will run the workshop and production flow as a disciplined execution engine.
• Your success is measured simply:
• Jobs leave the workshop on time
• Work is completed to spec
• Production flows without chaos
• The Founder is not pulled into operational issues

You will have full ownership and authority over:

• Workshop execution and daily production priorities
• Job sequencing and production flow
• Labour allocation and reallocation
• Enforcing deadlines and standards
• Stopping work that does not meet specification
• Identifying bottlenecks before they cause delays
• Escalating issues early — not after deadlines are missed
• This is an execution role, not a reporting role.

• It is not a learning position
• It is not a junior management role
• It is not people-first, feelings-first supervision
• It is not a role where problems are passed upward
• If you need daily instruction, step-by-step direction, or frequent validation, do not apply.

This is a high-pressure engineering manufacturing environment with live production deadlines, real clients, and real consequences.

You must be comfortable:

• Making decisions with incomplete information
• Enforcing priorities under pressure
• Being accountable for outcomes, not effort

If pressure sharpens your focus, you’ll thrive here.

If pressure overwhelms you, this role will expose it quickly.

Phase 1:
First 90 Days

• Take control of workshop workflow and priorities
• Identify weak points in process, discipline, or execution
• Reduce owner involvement in daily operations

Phase 2:
Ongoing

• Improve throughput and predictability
• Reduce rework, delays, and last-minute crises
• Build a structured, disciplined production system

• Direct engineering manufacturing experience in a workshop environment
• Proven authority over skilled trades (boilermakers, welders, fitters, etc.)
• Strong understanding of production flow and execution
• Comfortable enforcing standards and deadlines

Applicants without hands-on manufacturing leadership experience will not be considered.

• Real authority to run the operation
• Clear expectations and decision-making power
• Direct access to the Founder
• A role where competence is recognised and trusted

This role is designed for someone who:

• Takes pride in order, structure, and output
• Treats deadlines as commitments, not targets
• Wants ownership, not protection

If that describes you, apply.

If it doesn’t, please don’t.

Market-related, based on capability and experience, with performance-based growth.