Production Foreman - Surface Mount (SMT)

6 February 2026
KwaZulu Natal
Production

We are seeking an experienced Production Foreman to oversee the Surface Mount Technology (SMT) department and ensure efficient, safe, and high-quality electronic manufacturing processes. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading production teams, managing daily operations, maintaining quality and safety standards, and driving continuous improvement across SMT lines.

Qualifications and role requirements:
Desired Experience & Qualification
  • Technical diploma/degree in Electronics or Manufacturing Engineering.
  • 3–7+ years in SMT production with experience in CM or NPM lines or equivalent.
  • Experience with MyData/Mycronic platforms advantageous
  • Proficient/Ability to learn PanaCIM Gen2 modules or equivalent OEM SMT specific MES Software: Production Planning, Material Verification, Traceability, Quality Management.
  • Familiarity with ERP systems and fully computer literate
  • Knowledge of IPC-A-610, ESD, MSD standards.
Duties & Responsibilities
  • Safety & Compliance: Enforce EHS and ESD controls across SMT department (NPM series, printers, reflow ovens). Maintain 5S and IPC-A-610 workmanship standards.
  • People Leadership: Allocate manpower per skill matrix; manage shift coverage and ensure cross training for maximum flexible capacity from SMT Team. Train and certify operators on SMT equipment (printer setup, feeder loading, nozzle care, AOI operation, offline setup etc.) Monitor attendance and time keeping and perform return to work interviews, with repeat offenders. Clear shift handovers, concise incident reporting, cross-functional collaboration
  • Production Execution: Manage end-to-end SMT flow: printer → Surface Mount placement → reflow → AOI. Optimize changeovers using offline feeder setup stations, family setups and SMED principals. Analise OEE and cycle time per job; address bottlenecks with data from PanaCIM dashboards and job reviews. Escalate any maintenance, technical or other external factor influencing SMT productivity
  • Internal: Responsible and accountable for all material allocated to your area, and quarterly/annual stock counts. Approve first-piece inspection and ensure recipe validation.
  • Quality & Process Control: Maintain solder paste deposition accuracy, placement precision, and reflow profiles. Perform root cause analysis on AOI and down the line test jig failures relating to SMT process and implement corrective actions. Drive First Pass Yield improvement and reduce DPMO.
  • Maintenance & Engineering Interface: Coordinate Preventative Maintenance schedules for all SMT machines, printers, and reflow ovens. Control feeder health, nozzle maintenance and overall SMT module performance.
  • Planning & Scheduling: Convert production plan into line schedules. Minimize setup time and WIP aging; sequence builds for efficiency.
  • Data & Reporting: Ensure full traceability of performance of all Jobs and report on progress vs history and actions taken. Report on hours earned vs worked, scrappage/droppage.
  • Continuous Improvement: Lead Kaizen projects: SMED for Panasonic lines, feeder setup optimization, and OEE improvement. Reduce scrap and consumable costs through data-driven actions. Show sustained improvement in standard times vs history