Head Of Manufacturing Operations - Gqeberha

Job Description

• TFG Tapestry is investing in local manufacturing as a core part of the TFG value chain. As Tapestry Home Brands grows its manufacturing capability, we are appointing a senior executive to lead this next phase.
• As Head of Manufacturing Operations, you will hold end-to-end accountability for both Tapestry Textiles manufacturing facilities. You will turn group strategy into consistent operational results: quality product, delivered on time, at the right cost, with factory capability aligned to retail demand.
• You will be the principal interface between manufacturing and the wider TFG business, partnering with Retail, Merchandise, Buying, Sourcing, Supply Chain, Finance, Human Resources and the Executive Leadership team. You will also represent the business externally with organised labour, industry bodies and government-led institutions that are critical partners in the growth and stability of local manufacturing. This role suits a commercially astute operations leader who wants to shape the future of local manufacturing in one of South Africa's leading retail groups.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Executive Partnership:

• Define and execute a multi-site manufacturing strategy aligned to TFG's objectives across quality, speed, dependability, flexibility and cost.
• Act as the single point of accountability between TFG Retail requirements and manufacturing delivery.
• Give executive leadership and key stakeholders clear, timely insight into operational performance, capacity and risk, and resolve issues before they affect retail delivery.
• Set realistic expectations on capability, capacity and output, and lead the resolution of escalations.
• Lead long-term capability planning, including capacity expansion, product diversification and the adoption of new manufacturing technologies.

External Stakeholder and Industry Partnership:

• Build constructive, trust-based relationships with trade unions, and lead or take part in engagements, consultations and negotiations that support industrial stability and sustainable productivity.
• Represent Tapestry Textiles at bargaining council, industry association and sector forums, ensuring the business's interests are clearly and credibly put forward.
• Engage with government departments, development finance institutions and government-led programmes that support local manufacturing, and use available incentives, funding and support schemes to strengthen competitiveness.
• Keep up to date with industrial policy, sector master plans and regulatory developments, and advise executive leadership on their impact and the opportunities they create.
• Position Tapestry Textiles as a credible, responsible partner in growing local manufacturing and creating sustainable jobs.

Operational Excellence:

• Hold full oversight of operations across both sites: production, planning, cutting, receiving and dispatch, quality, industrial engineering and asset management.
• Ensure the production plan is achieved and sustained across product profile, line efficiency and on-time delivery.
• Embed strong quality and quantity controls that consistently meet the service and quality standards of our retail customers.
• Institutionalise disciplined production planning, operating rhythms and preventative maintenance practices.
• Standardise processes, operating practices and performance metrics across both facilities.
• Lead a culture of continuous improvement, process optimisation and operational innovation.

Financial Stewardship:

• Own operational budgets and drive strict control of manufacturing costs.
• Deliver measurable gains in labour productivity, manufacturing efficiency, capital utilisation and margin.
• Analyse financial statements, activity reports and performance data to find and capture cost and productivity opportunities.
• Set, monitor and enforce supplier performance standards.

People Leadership, Health and Safety:

• Lead the factory leadership team, senior manufacturing managers and wider operational management structures.
• Own workforce planning, employee engagement and the effective deployment of resources.
• Build organisational capability through talent development, succession planning, performance management, coaching and mentoring.
• Ensure skills development and training needs are identified, prioritised and met.
• Maintain sound labour relations and ensure compliance with collective agreements, bargaining council requirements and labour legislation, working closely with HR and Employee Relations.
• Take full accountability for occupational health and safety and a safe working environment, including relationships with Group Facilities and employee transport providers, and compliance with all legislative requirements.
• Champion employee wellbeing programmes.

Qualifications

• National Diploma or Degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Clothing Management, Finance, Human Resources or a related discipline.

Experience:

• 8 - 10 years' experience in a comparable manufacturing environment, including substantial senior leadership experience.
• At least 5 years' experience in clothing or textile manufacturing, including technical clothing experience.

Advantageous:

• Proven experience leading multi-site manufacturing operations.
• Experience working closely with retail, merchandise or supply chain functions.
• Experience negotiating with trade unions and engaging with bargaining councils in a manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to government-led industrial development programmes, incentive schemes or sector partnerships.

Skills:

• Strategic leadership: able to translate business strategy into manufacturing results
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior and executive level
• Production planning, capacity management and industrial engineering knowledge
• Good technical knowledge of operations and textile processes
• Quality management and continuous improvement (e.g. Lean manufacturing)
• Strong financial skills, including budgeting, cost control, margin management and analysis of performance data
• Strong governance, risk management and decision-making skills
• Working knowledge of health and safety legislation (OHS Act), compliance and labour relations

Behaviours:

• Being Resilient - rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
• Building Effective Teams - forms, develops and leads a group of individuals toward the achievement of a common team objective
• Builds Networks - establishes and nurtures internal and external relationships in order to create robust, and mutually beneficial, partnerships
• Cultivates Innovation - creates an environment that fosters and nurtures a culture of creativity which drives success
• Decision Quality - consistently makes timely, well-rounded and informed decisions
• Drives Engagement - inspires, motivates and empowers individuals to go above and beyond for the benefit of the team and the organisation
• Ensures Accountability - takes accountability and ensures others are held to account on agreed upon performance targets
• Manages Complexity - interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems
• Organisational Savvy - understands and navigates dynamics created by processes, systems, and people
• Situational Adaptability - effectively adjusts their behaviour, approach, and decision-making based on the situation
• Strategic Mindset - thinks and plans strategically, focusing on the long-term goals and objectives of the organisation