Innocent Mthembu

Production and manufacturing professional with approximately eight years of experience in manufacturing, progressing through shift supervision, production supervision and assistant management. Experienced in leading teams of up to approximately 65 employees, coordinating production activities, improving machine performance, monitoring product quality, reducing start-up waste and supporting workplace safety. Recognised for adaptability, clear communication, practical problem-solving and a focus on meeting production objectives.

Seeking to contribute operational knowledge and people leadership to a production or manufacturing team.

ASSISTANT MANAGER - Darling

(2024-01 - 2026-08)

• Prepare production reports and analyse machine downtime, shift performance and overall equipment performance.
• Execute production plans in line with schedules provided by the production planner.
• Complete SAP transactions and production bookings; request and receive materials from stores.
• Coordinate stock-count preparations and reconcile stock-count results.
• Balance employee skills across shifts and deliver safety and quality training to production team members.
• Prepare for internal and external audits and conduct production trials.
• Optimise machines, troubleshoot breakdowns and manage machine start-ups to minimise waste.
• Manage savings projects and address shop-floor queries.
• Manage absenteeism and leave requests, prepare for hearings and provide counselling to team members when required.
• Monitor daily output against production targets and communicate variances to the relevant team leaders and management.
• Coordinate with maintenance, quality and stores teams to resolve production delays and ensure materials are available.
• Review production records for accuracy and follow up on quality or process deviations.
• Promote compliance with standard operating procedures, workplace safety requirements and housekeeping standards.
• Support continuous-improvement activities focused on productivity, waste reduction and efficient use of resources.

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR - Afripipes

(2021-07 - 2024-01)

• Managed machine start-ups, printer settings and routine production activities.
• Maintained housekeeping standards and responded to minor machine breakdowns and production issues.
• Checked product quality through dimensional and visual inspections, including checks for deformation.
• Identified potential machine breakdown risks and supported machine optimisation.
• Trained operators in machine operation and safe working practices.
• Managed attendance issues, including late arrivals and absenteeism.
• Allocate operators to production tasks and monitor workflow to keep production running according to shift requirements.
• Record production output, downtime and quality concerns, and communicate unresolved issues to management or maintenance.
• Check that raw materials and production consumables are available before and during production runs.
• Ensure operators follow work instructions, safety procedures and required quality standards.
• Assist with shift handovers by communicating machine status, outstanding faults and production priorities.

SHIFT SUPERVISOR - Duraline

(2017-05 - 2021-01)

• Led shift operations and operated extrusion equipment, including corrugator, microduct and sheathing machines.
• Coordinated machine start-ups and monitored scrap during start-up and production.
• Ensured housekeeping, PPE compliance, and safety and quality training for the shift team.
• Planned maintenance job cards according to job priority and opportunities to save time.
• Oversaw planned and unplanned machine maintenance and reported production progress to senior management.
• Processed timesheets accurately, ordered consumables and arranged cover for employees on annual or sick leave.
• Managed late arrivals and absenteeism and supported consistent production operations.
• Assign daily tasks to shift employees and monitor performance against production requirements.
• Inspect finished output and escalate defects or process variations for corrective action.
• Coordinate with maintenance personnel to report faults and minimise avoidable production interruptions.
• Maintain accurate shift records covering output, scrap, downtime, attendance and consumable usage.
• Support smooth shift handovers by updating incoming teams on production progress, machine condition and outstanding work.

Generic Management - Plastic Federation (2018 - 2018)

Operational Supervision - Plastic Federation (2017 - 2017)

Mechanical Engineering - Sedibeng College (2014 - 2016)

Matric - Jabulile Secondary School (2011 - 2011)