Job Title: Industrial Engineer (Abattoir Operations)Job PurposeTo design, optimise, and manage operational systems within an abattoir to improve productivity, reduce waste, ensure food safety compliance, and enhance overall efficiency across the meat processing value chain. Key Responsibilities Systems & Process OptimisationAnalyse end-to-end abattoir processes (livestock intake → slaughter → processing → packaging → dispatch)Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in production linesImprove plant layout, workflow, and material handling systemsApply lean manufacturing principles to eliminate waste  Continuous ImprovementLead continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma)Conduct time-and-motion studies to improve labour productivityReduce operational costs and increase yield performanceDrive automation and process standardisation projects  Production Planning & EfficiencySupport production scheduling and capacity planningAlign throughput with demand forecastsOptimise labour, equipment, and resource utilisationMonitor downtime, throughput, and line efficiency  Data Analysis & ReportingCollect, analyse, and interpret operational dataDevelop KPIs and performance dashboardsProvide reports on:Yield and wasteProduction efficiencyCost performanceUse tools such as Excel, Power BI, ERP systems  Compliance & Quality ControlEnsure adherence to:HACCP (food safety)ISO standards (e.g., ISO 22000)South African meat safety regulationsMaintain traceability systemsSupport audits and inspectionsCollaborate with QA and food safety teams  Health, Safety & Environmental ManagementImprove workplace ergonomics and safety conditionsIdentify and mitigate operational risksEnsure compliance with OHS Act (South Africa)Work in cold-chain and regulated environments  Project ManagementManage engineering and process improvement projectsDevelop budgets, timelines, and ROI analysesImplement capital expenditure (CAPEX) projectsCoordinat...

Job Title: Industrial Engineer (Abattoir Operations)
Job Purpose
To design, optimise, and manage operational systems within an abattoir to improve productivity, reduce waste, ensure food safety compliance, and enhance overall efficiency across the meat processing value chain.
 
Key Responsibilities

1. Systems & Process Optimisation
Analyse end-to-end abattoir processes (livestock intake → slaughter → processing → packaging → dispatch)
Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in production lines
Improve plant layout, workflow, and material handling systems
Apply lean manufacturing principles to eliminate waste
 

1. Continuous Improvement
Lead continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma)
Conduct time-and-motion studies to improve labour productivity
Reduce operational costs and increase yield performance
Drive automation and process standardisation projects
 

1. Production Planning & Efficiency
Support production scheduling and capacity planning
Align throughput with demand forecasts
Optimise labour, equipment, and resource utilisation
Monitor downtime, throughput, and line efficiency
 

1. Data Analysis & Reporting
Collect, analyse, and interpret operational data
Develop KPIs and performance dashboards
Provide reports on:
Yield and waste
Production efficiency
Cost performance
Use tools such as Excel, Power BI, ERP systems
 

1. Compliance & Quality Control
Ensure adherence to:
HACCP (food safety)
ISO standards (e.g., ISO 22000)
South African meat safety regulations
Maintain traceability systems
Support audits and inspections
Collaborate with QA and food safety teams
 

1. Health, Safety & Environmental Management
Improve workplace ergonomics and safety conditions
Identify and mitigate operational risks
Ensure compliance with OHS Act (South Africa)
Work in cold-chain and regulated environments
 

1. Project Management
Manage engineering and process improvement projects
Develop budgets, timelines, and ROI analyses
Implement capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects
Coordinate with contractors and suppliers
 

1. Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work with:
Operations
Maintenance
Quality Assurance
Logistics & Supply Chain
Train staff on systems and process adherence
Support change management initiatives
 
Minimum Requirements
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering or related field
Registration with Engineering Council of South Africa (advantageous)
 
Experience
3–5+ years in:
FMCG / food processing / abattoir environment
Proven experience in:
Process optimisation
Production environments
Continuous improvement projects
 
Certifications (Advantageous)
Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt / Black Belt)
HACCP / Food Safety certification
Project Management (PMP or similar)
 
Key Skills & Competencies
Technical Skills
Process mapping & workflow analysis
Data analysis and statistical modelling
ERP systems and production planning tools
Knowledge of meat processing operations
Behavioural Skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
Attention to detail
Communication and stakeholder engagement
Leadership and project management
Ability to work in high-pressure, regulated environments
 
Working Conditions
Based in an abattoir / meat processing plant
Exposure to:
Cold storage areas
Wet and high-risk environments
May require overtime, shift work, or weekend work
 
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Production efficiency & throughput
Waste reduction and yield improvement
Cost savings achieved
Compliance audit results
Downtime reduction
Process improvement implementation rate