General Manager - Timber manufacturing

The General Manager - Timber Manufacturing will lead a large-scale timber manufacturing operation on the East Rand. The role carries overall responsibility for key production departments, including the Machine Shop, Joinery Department and Paint Line, while working closely with Engineering, Production Planning, the Drawing Office and Project Management teams.

This is a hands-on operational leadership position focused on production output, quality, delivery, workforce performance, efficiency and health and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day timber manufacturing operations across multiple production departments.
• Take overall responsibility for the Machine Shop, Joinery Department and Paint Line.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Steel Manufacturing where projects involve multiple manufacturing disciplines.
• Ensure production targets, customer deadlines and quality standards are consistently achieved.
• Monitor operational performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, throughput, efficiency and manufacturing performance.
• Drive continuous improvement and waste-reduction initiatives.
• Maintain appropriate stock levels of high-volume raw materials required for production.
• Oversee production planning, scheduling and resource allocation.
• Ensure effective workflow from the Machine Shop through Joinery and into the Paint Line.
• Coordinate requirements with the Drawing Office, Production Planning Department and Site Project Managers.
• Align materials, labour, machinery and production capacity with project requirements.
• Identify production bottlenecks and implement practical solutions.
• Monitor work in progress and ensure projects move efficiently between departments.
• Communicate manufacturing priorities clearly to department managers and supervisors.
• Lead department managers, supervisors and production employees.
• Set clear performance expectations and maintain accountability.
• Mentor and develop supervisors and departmental leaders.
• Manage employee performance, attendance, productivity and conduct.
• Identify training and development requirements.
• Ensure appropriate labour utilisation.
• Maintain high workmanship and manufacturing quality standards.
• Implement and enforce quality-control processes throughout production.
• Ensure products are manufactured in accordance with approved technical drawings, customer specifications and production standards.
• Conduct regular inspections and manufacturing audits.
• Identify recurring quality issues and implement preventative measures.
• Minimise defects, rework and material wastage.
• Establish quality-control checkpoints throughout the manufacturing process.
• Read, interpret and review detailed manufacturing and technical drawings.
• Provide technical guidance to production managers and manufacturing teams.
• Ensure appropriate manufacturing methods, substrates, materials and finishes are used.
• Maintain technical oversight of joinery, machining and finishing processes.
• Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety requirements.
• Promote safe working practices throughout manufacturing operations.
• Maintain appropriate factory housekeeping, organisation and discipline.
• Work with relevant stakeholders to address operational health and safety risks.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 10 years' experience within timber, joinery, cabinetry, furniture or related manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience at senior production, factory, operations or general management level.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple production departments.
• Experience leading sizeable manufacturing teams.
• Strong exposure to production planning, manufacturing workflow and quality management.
• Strong practical knowledge of cabinetmaking and joinery processes.
• Knowledge of CNC machinery and machine-shop operations.
• Knowledge of timber manufacturing processes and techniques.
• Knowledge of spray finishing and paint-line operations.
• Knowledge of board products, timber substrates, laminates, veneers, solid surfaces and specialist finishes.
• Knowledge of raw-material management.
• Strong understanding of production planning, scheduling, workflow and bottleneck management.
• Knowledge of manufacturing quality-control processes.
• Ability to confidently interpret detailed manufacturing and technical drawings.

Advantageous Experience

• A relevant qualification in Manufacturing Management, Production Management, Wood Technology, Engineering, Operations Management or a similar technical or manufacturing discipline is preferred.
• Additional management or leadership qualifications.
• Previous experience within shopfitting, retail fixture manufacturing, cabinetry, furniture manufacturing or high-volume bespoke timber manufacturing.

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and people-management capability.
• Ability to lead large operational teams through supervisors and department managers.
• Strong coaching and mentoring ability.
• Confident decision-making.
• Excellent production planning and organisational skills.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing workflow.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and demanding deadlines.
• Commercial awareness and cost consciousness.
• Strong focus on productivity, efficiency and resource utilisation.
• Practical problem-solving ability.
• Resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Accountability and ownership.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to collaborate with technical, project management and support departments.

Additional Information

Benefits may include:

• Pension Fund.
• Medical Aid contribution.
• 13th Cheque.

The role oversees manufacturing teams of approximately 25 employees in the Machine Shop, 40 employees in the Joinery Department and 15 employees on the Paint Line.

Production requirements may occasionally require additional hours or management intervention.

If you meet the requirements and would like to be considered for this opportunity, please submit your application through the link provided. Only candidates who meet the role requirements will be contacted.