Assistant Production Manager

At Plas Lantic (Pty) Ltd, we are looking for an experienced Assistant Production Manager with strong hands-on rigid sheet extrusion experience to join our manufacturing operation in Blackheath, Cape Town.

The successful candidate will have approximately 10 years' experience in plastic extrusion manufacturing, preferably working with rigid sheet extrusion and materials such as:

· High Impact Polystyrene

· Other relevant thermoplastic polymers and blends

You should understand how polymers behave during extrusion and be comfortable diagnosing issues relating to temperature, pressure, material characteristics, extrusion conditions, machinery and downstream processing.

Working closely with the management team, you will help drive the day-to-day performance of the Production Department.

Your responsibilities will include:

· Supporting and improving the daily production plan to achieve customer requirements.

· Troubleshooting extrusion, process and mechanical problems on the shop floor.

· Conducting structured root cause analysis on recurring production problems, breakdowns, quality failures and waste.

· Using production data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

· Monitoring production output, downtime, waste, rejects and overall efficiency.

· Identifying production quality issues and implementing practical improvements.

· Improving production consistency and ensure quality standards are achieved.

· Understanding polymer behaviour and adjusting processes appropriately when material or operating conditions change.

· Working closely with Maintenance to resolve mechanical and equipment-related problems.

· Providing operational direction to Shift Leaders, Machine Operators and Production Employees.

· Coaching Shift Leaders to improve decision-making, problem-solving and accountability.

· Developing the technical capability of production employees.

· Ensuring production standards, procedures and quality requirements are consistently followed.

· Supporting continuous improvement projects and ensuring improvements produce measurable results.

· Maintaining a visible presence on the production floor and responding quickly when production problems arise.

This role requires someone who combines technical knowledge, mechanical understanding, analytical thinking and strong people leadership.

You should have:

· At least 10 years' practical experience in rigid plastics extrusion manufacturing.

· Strong experience in rigid plastic sheet extrusion.

· Practical experience working with ABS, PS, HIPS, Syrolux/clear polystyrene or similar polymers.

· A good understanding of polymer properties and how material behaviour affects the extrusion process.

· Strong mechanical aptitude and an understanding of extrusion machinery and associated production equipment.

· Proven ability to troubleshoot production and process problems.

· Experience using root cause analysis and structured problem-solving techniques.

· The ability to analyse production information and convert it into practical shop‑floor action.

· Experience improving production planning, output, waste, downtime and efficiency.

· Experience supervising, coaching or developing production teams and Shift Leaders.

· Strong communication skills and the confidence to make operational decisions.

· A practical, hands‑on approach to manufacturing.

We are specifically looking for someone who can walk onto an extrusion floor, understand what is happening and engage confidently with experienced operators and technicians.

You should be equally comfortable looking at production data, investigating a recurring extrusion problem, discussing a mechanical issue with Maintenance, coaching a Shift Leader or standing next to an extrusion line working through a process problem.

It is a hands‑on operational role for someone who understands machines, materials, processes, people and production performance.

Blackheath, Cape Town

Plastic Extrusion / Food Packaging Manufacturing