Head of Manufacturing Operations

About this role

TFG is growing its in-house manufacturing through Tapestry Home Brands, and it is appointing a senior executive to lead this next phase. The job is based in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, and covers both Tapestry Textiles manufacturing facilities.

You will turn group strategy into daily results. That means good quality product, on-time delivery, sensible costs and factory capacity that matches what the stores need.

What you’ll do

• Set and carry out a multi-site manufacturing strategy that covers quality, speed, dependability, flexibility and cost.
• Be the single point of accountability between TFG Retail needs and what the factories deliver.
• Keep executives informed about performance, capacity and risk, and fix problems before they hit retail.
• Own the full run of operations across both sites, from planning and cutting through to dispatch, quality and asset management.
• Own operational budgets, track margins and labour productivity, and push for lower manufacturing costs.
• Lead the factory leadership team, plan the workforce, and build talent through coaching, succession planning and training.
• Manage labour relations with trade unions and bargaining councils, and take full responsibility for occupational health and safety.

What you need

• National Diploma or Degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Clothing Management, Finance, Human Resources or a related discipline.
• 8 to 10 years of experience in a comparable manufacturing environment, including substantial senior leadership experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in clothing or textile manufacturing, including technical clothing experience.
• Strategic leadership and the ability to turn business strategy into manufacturing results.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior and executive level.
• Production planning, capacity management and industrial engineering knowledge.
• Quality management and continuous improvement, such as Lean manufacturing.
• Strong financial skills, including budgeting, cost control and analysing performance data.
• Working knowledge of the OHS Act and labour relations.
• Advantageous: experience leading multi-site manufacturing operations.
• Advantageous: experience working closely with retail, merchandise or supply chain teams.
• Advantageous: experience negotiating with trade unions and engaging with bargaining councils.
• Advantageous: exposure to government-led industrial development programmes or incentive schemes.

Is this job for you?

This job suits a commercially minded operations leader who wants to shape local manufacturing inside a large retail group. You should be comfortable making decisions at executive level and working with unions, government bodies and industry groups.

Tips before you apply

• Have your qualification certificates, ID and a current CV ready. Include a clear list of the factories, headcount and products you have managed.
• Show your years in clothing or textile manufacturing with numbers, such as output, cost savings or margin improvements.
• Give examples of union negotiations or bargaining council work, and of any multi-site role, to back up your senior leadership record.

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