Plant Head (Steel Plant)

Title: Plant Head (Steel Plant) Area: Cape Town Region Industry: Iron & Steel Making | Heavy Industry | Primary & Secondary Steel Processing Ref No.: TRG 2457 Salary: TBD (Neg on discussion + Relocation Assistance + Accommodation Support + Medical Aid + Provident Fund) Start Date: ASAP Type: Permanent An opportunity exists for a highly experienced Plant Head Steel Manufacturing to lead a large-scale steel production facility in the Cape Town region. - This executive-level appointment will carry full operational responsibility for the Melt Shop, Rebar Mill, and Wire Mill, reporting directly to the Board of Directors. - +The successful candidate will be accountable for plant performance, profitability, safety, production optimisation, and long-term strategic execution. - This role is ideally suited to candidates with significant exposure to integrated or mini-mill steel operations, including experience within large heavy-industry environments such as ArcelorMittal, Scaw Metals, Highveld Steel, or similar high-capacity steelmaking plants. - This role is ideally suited for candidates who have significant experience in primary or secondary steelmaking operations, such as those gained from ArcelorMittal, Scaw Metals, Highveld Steel, or other large heavy-industry processing plants. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Operations Leadership - Lead full plant operations across Melt Shop, Rebar Mill, and Wire Mill - Ensure uninterrupted production aligned to volume, quality, and delivery targets - Drive plant-level P&L performance through disciplined operational control - Integrate production, maintenance, quality, supply chain, and logistics functions 2. Production Planning & Optimisation - Develop and execute production schedules to maximise throughput - Optimise utilisation of furnaces, rolling mills, utilities, and manpower - Identify and eliminate bottlenecks across casting, rolling, and finishing processes - Improve yield, recovery rates, and scrap management 3. Workforce Leadership & Development - Lead a large, multi-disciplinary workforce including engineers, supervisors, artisans, and operators - Drive succession planning and leadership pipeline development - Implement performance management systems and accountability structures - Foster a culture of operational discipline, safety, and continuous improvement 4. Quality & Process Control - Ensure compliance with SANS, ISO, and customer-specific steel standards - Drive root-cause analysis for defects and process deviations - Maintain consistent metallurgical and mechanical property compliance 5. Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance - Enforce strict adherence to OHS Act and environmental regulations - Promote a zero-harm safety culture - Monitor emissions, waste handling, and energy consumption in line with statutory requirements 6. Maintenance & Asset Reliability - Oversee preventative and predictive maintenance strategies - Improve uptime of furnaces, rolling stands, shears, cooling beds, and finishing lines - Drive long-term asset lifecycle planning and capital investment prioritisation 7. Cost & Resource Management - Optimise raw material consumption (scrap, billets, alloys) - Drive energy efficiency initiatives within high-consumption steel processes - Manage plant budgets and cost-reduction strategies - Monitor operational KPIs and financial performance metrics 8. Business & Market Engagement - Support commercial strategy and market expansion initiatives - Monitor competitor activity and market demand trends - Contribute to new product development and diversification strategies 9. Continuous Improvement & Strategic Execution - Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and performance-enhancement initiatives - Lead modernisation and plant upgrade projects - Develop long-term strategic plans to improve competitiveness and capacity EDUCATION, QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS: - Bachelors Degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Metallurgical, or Production Engineering - Advanced management or business qualification advantageous - 2025 years experience within steel manufacturing environments - Proven leadership within melt shops and rolling mill operations - Strong technical knowledge of steelmaking processes, furnace operations, rolling technology, and metallurgical controls - Deep understanding of heavy-industry safety and environmental frameworks - Demonstrated experience managing large plant workforces - Strong financial acumen with P&L accountability - Exceptional analytical and strategic planning capability - Change management and plant modernisation exposure - Executive-level communication and stakeholder management skills - Traceable & contactable references - Local residency or willingness to relocate (relocation assistance available)