Factory Manager

Company Description Zenzele Truck Bodies & Repairs is a specialist partner focused on keeping commercial vehicle fleets operating at peak uptime through advanced truck body manufacturing, regional accident repairs, and embedded depot repair teams. The company treats each fleet as an integrated, revenue-generating ecosystem and designs services to reduce empty-running and workshop delays. Zenzele places certified technical teams inside high-volume distribution centers, enabling repairs during standard loading cycles and minimizing disruption to dispatch schedules. The team takes proactive ownership of complex engineering challenges to keep vehicles moving and protect cold chain compliance. From minor running repairs to major insurance-approved structural overhauls at regional hubs, Zenzele focuses on safeguarding customer revenue and operational continuity.

Role Description The Factory Manager role is a full-time hybrid position based in Port Elizabeth, with some flexibility for work-from-home activities as appropriate. The Factory Manager oversees daily manufacturing operations, including planning and coordinating production schedules, monitoring workflow, and ensuring that truck body and repair projects are completed on time, within budget, and to required specifications. This role manages factory staff, allocates resources, and enforces safety and quality standards across all production lines. The Factory Manager collaborates with operations leadership, depot teams, and customer-facing personnel to align factory output with fleet uptime goals, resolve bottlenecks, and implement continuous improvement initiatives. Day-to-day responsibilities include performance tracking, reporting on key production metrics, maintaining equipment readiness, and driving process optimization to support reliable, high-quality manufacturing and repair services.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in Production Planning and Production Management to coordinate schedules, resources, and workflow in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong background in Quality Control to ensure products meet engineering specifications, safety standards, and customer requirements.
• Proficiency in Operations Management and Manufacturing Operations to oversee end-to-end factory processes and drive efficiency and cost optimization.
• Experience managing factory teams, including supervision, coaching, and performance management within an industrial or automotive environment.
• Solid understanding of health, safety, and environmental regulations applicable to manufacturing and repair facilities.
• Ability to analyze production data, use basic industrial engineering or lean principles, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across technical, operational, and customer-facing teams.
• Relevant technical or engineering qualification in manufacturing, mechanical, industrial, or related field; equivalent experience in truck bodies, automotive, or heavy industry is highly beneficial.