OPERATIONS CAPEX MANAGER
Job Purpose
The Manufacturing CAPEX Manager position plays a pivotal leadership role responsible for planning, executing, and delivering complex manufacturing projects across our production grid. With aggressive growth targets and rising operational demands, this role will steer strategic initiatives that enhance production capacity, drive automation, optimise workflows, and ensure seamless site expansions or upgrades.
The role is both strategic and operational, requiring a seasoned project professional who understands how to mobilise teams, manage competing priorities, and drive value in an FMCG environment. You will oversee a Programme Manager and lead cross-site, cross-functional efforts involving engineering, operations, quality, HR, supply chain, and technology.
Key Responsibilities
1. Project Strategy & Planning
Develop and manage a multi-year capital project roadmap aligned with the company’s growth strategy and production needs.
Collaborate with senior leadership to prioritise and sequence key initiatives across all manufacturing facilities.
Define project scopes, business cases, budgets, timelines, and success criteria.
2. Project Execution & Governance
Lead execution of major CAPEX projects including:
Installation and commissioning of high-speed bottling lines.
Plant automation and digital transformation initiatives.
Facility expansions or greenfield site development.
Utilities and infrastructure upgrades (e.g., boilers, compressors, water systems).
Establish robust project governance, including steering committees, progress reporting, and risk escalation mechanisms.
Ensure adherence to timelines, budgets, and scope, using structured project management tools and principles (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, Agile where applicable).
3. Cross-functional Leadership
Drive coordination between engineering, quality, manufacturing, procurement, logistics, HR, and IT to deliver integrated project outcomes.
Ensure effective resourcing and workload balancing across internal teams and third-party contractors.
Develop and coach the Programme Manager to oversee sub-projects or continuous improvement workstreams.
4. Risk Management & Compliance
Identify and proactively manage technical, financial, safety, and regulatory risks associated with projects.
Ensure all projects comply with occupational health and safety (OHS), environmental standards, and beverage manufacturing regulations.
Lead project audits, post-mortems, and continuous improvement loops.
5. Change & Stakeholder Management
Serve as the key communication hub for all project-related initiatives across manufacturing.
Lead change management strategies to ensure smooth transitions in processes, roles, and technologies.
Facilitate stakeholder alignment, from executive level to shop floor, ensuring clarity of objectives and benefits realisation.
6. Operational Integration & Benefits Realization
Collaborate with manufacturing and operational leaders to ensure project deliverables are smoothly transitioned into operational routines.
Track and report on project outcomes, KPIs, and long-term benefits, including:
Increased production throughput
Improved equipment efficiency (OEE)
Reduced waste and cost per case
Higher labour productivity and engagement
Key Deliverables
% of projects delivered On Time, In Full, On Budget (OTIFOB)
% improvement in production capacity or efficiency due to project execution
CAPEX ROI and timeline to benefit realization
Compliance with SHEQ standards and Legal Compliance
Stakeholder satisfaction and adoption rates
Number of post-project continuous improvement initiatives launched.
Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering; or related technical field. (Preferable GCC)
Postgraduate Business or Operations qualification is advantageous.
Project Management Professional (PMP), PRINCE2, or equivalent certification is required.
8+ years of progressive project management experience in manufacturing or industrial sectors, ideally within beverages, FMCG, or food processing.
Proven experience managing large capital projects (R50M+), plant upgrades, automation, and process transformation initiatives.
Exposure to high-speed manufacturing environments (e.g., PET bottling, canning, secondary packaging, utilities).
Core Competencies and Skills
Project Management Expertise: Proven ability to plan, execute, and deliver multiple large-scale manufacturing projects using formal methodologies (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, Agile).
Manufacturing Knowledge: Deep understanding of FMCG or beverage production environments, including bottling, packaging, utilities, and plant automation.
CAPEX Project Execution: Strong experience managing capital projects (R50M+), including procurement, contractor oversight, commissioning, and handover.
Engineering & Technical Acumen: Familiarity with industrial machinery, electrical and mechanical systems, plant layouts, and equipment specifications.
Operational Integration: Ability to embed project outcomes seamlessly into day-to-day operations and ensure production continuity during transitions.
Financial Literacy: Skilled in budgeting, cost control, ROI calculations, and financial reporting for capital projects.
Risk & Compliance Management: Competent in managing technical and regulatory risks, with a clear understanding of health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards relevant to beverage manufacturing.
Project Tools Proficiency: Advanced in Microsoft Project, Excel, and project tracking platforms (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet); working knowledge of ERP systems (SAP etc.).
Behavioural Competencies
Leadership & Influence: Inspires cross-functional teams, gains buy-in from stakeholders at all levels and leads through ambiguity and pressure.
Strategic Thinking: Balances long-term vision with operational execution, ensuring projects align with business goals and future-proofing needs.
Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in high-growth, high-change environments and adjusts quickly to shifting priorities or constraints.
Collaboration & Communication: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; able to build strong relationships and foster team cohesion across diverse functions and locations.
Problem Solving: Analytical and decisive, with a structured approach to troubleshooting issues and managing project deviations.
Accountability & Ownership: Takes full responsibility for project delivery, holds self and others to high performance standards.
Results-Driven: Focused on delivering tangible business outcomes, measuring success through metrics, efficiency gains, and cost savings.
Customer & Quality Focus: Committed to delivering value to internal and external stakeholders with a strong focus on quality and operational excellence.
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