Absolute Ablutions, situated in Blackheath (Cape Town), is seeking an experienced Production Manager to take full ownership of factory operations. This is a hands-on leadership role, responsible for planning, execution, people management, quality, safety, and continuous improvement across the production floor.

The successful incumbent will be accountable for efficiently delivering production targets on time and to specification, while building a disciplined, safe, and high-performing production team.

Responsibilities will include: *Production Planning & Control: Planning, scheduling, & coordinating projects; Balancing labour, materials, and capacity to optimise throughput; Monitoring production performance; Keeping to weekly turnover targets. *People & Team Management: Leading and managing a production team of approximately 30 employees, including 5 foremen; Setting clear expectations and tracking performance; Providing training. *Quality Management: Ensuring trailers are built to required specifications and quality standards; Implementing and enforcing quality checks throughout the production process; Identifying root causes of defects and driving corrective actions. *Health and Safety: Enforcing health and safety standards across the factory floor; Maintaining housekeeping & workplace organisation standards (5S or equivalent); Ensuring compliance with legal and internal safety requirements. *Process Improvement & Efficiency: Continuously improving production processes, layouts, and workflows; Identifying waste, bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and implementing practical solutions; Driving standardisation and repeatability in manufacturing processes. *Technical Oversight: Providing technical guidance and problem-solving support where required; Ensuring correct manufacturing methods are followed across departments.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience:

• Hands-on experience in a similar supervisory/managerial role in a manufacturing environment;

• Solid understanding of welding and metal fabrication, plumbing systems, 12V electrical installations, trailer manufacturing, cabinet building and fit-out;

• Proficiency in Afrikaans and English (verbal and written);

• Good computer skills (MS Office);

• Own reliable transport.

Please apply online at www.m3online.co.za before 09:00 on 12 February 2026.

For general enquiries, contact our team at M3 Human Capital Management on XXX-XXXX.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates are contacted. If you don’t hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application was unsuccessful.