How will you make a difference?

The Plant Director (Transit business) leads the site’s operational, financial, and strategic performance. This includes full responsibility for manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, sourcing, and support functions, ensuring product quality, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction. The role owns the site P&L and drives continuous improvement.

A key priority is executing business strategies that meet annual goals for sales, EBIT, cashflow, on‑time delivery, and quality. The Director leads cross‑functional teams, drives manufacturing localization, ensures regulatory compliance (BBBEE, Localization, NIPP), and oversees major long‑term projects such as the PRASA brake system program.

The role requires strong leadership to build a high‑performance culture, develop talent, ensure safety, and maintain effective relationships with customers, partners, and internal stakeholders. 

What do we want to know about you?

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering
• Diploma/Certificate in Project Management

Experience

• 10+ years in industrial manufacturing, including 8 years in Operations Management
• Proven P&L management across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sourcing, Engineering
• Track record of leading cross‑functional teams to meet operational targets

Person Specification

• Strategic and innovative thinker
• Strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent communication abilities
• Deep understanding of key business functions and interdependencies
• Strong analytical and financial management skills
• Effective leadership with focus on people development and accountability
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship‑building skills

What will your typical day look like?

• Drive strategies and daily execution across Commercial, Engineering, Sourcing, Supply Chain, Operations, and Support functions
• Review monthly/quarterly/annual performance across KPIs (Production, Sales, EBIT, Cashflow, OTD, Quality, Compliance)
• Ensure site compliance with company standards, legal regulations, and industry certifications (Quality, EHS, Cybersecurity, RGPD, IRIS)
• Manage local statutory requirements (BBBEE, Localization, NIPP) to maintain corporate credibility
• Oversee the PRASA brake system project, ensuring strong customer relations, supplier coordination, and acceptable profitability
• Develop strategies to address supply chain constraints and inflation impacts
• Build a high‑performance culture, ensuring talent development, retention, and constructive union relationships
• Empower and support the site leadership team with clear accountability and decision‑making authority
• Partner with regional leadership to advance the One Wabtec strategy

#LI-PROMOTEDJOBS

Legal authorization to work in the South Africa is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. 

*Please note that we do not accept agency candidate submissions without a formalized agreement with Talent Acquisition. If you are an agency/third party Recruiter and have not been engaged by Wabtec for this search, we do not owe you a fee if you submit a candidate to the applicant tracking system that is ultimately hired. 

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.
 

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.