Industrial Engineer (Apparel) at Portwest Tanzania

PORTWEST, a leading global manufacturer of safety wear, workwear and PPE is currently seeking applications for the position of Industrial Engineer Manager in our apparel factories, initially training in our Eastport location and rotating between Bangladesh, Myanmar and Tanzania based on company needs. The successful candidate will be hired on a contract of 1 year, with the opportunity of extension/ permanency after 1 year of employment, reporting to the Group Industrial Engineer. Founded in 1904, Portwest has become one of the fastest growing workwear companies in the world currently employing over 5,100 staff worldwide. With 1400 styles across more than 20 ranges, we design, manufacture and distribute market leading workwear, safety wear and PPE in fully owned production facilities. We’re on a mission to become the world’s most requested PPE and Safety Wear Brand.

Job Summary

The IE Manager will lead the Industrial Engineering department to improve productivity, efficiency, and cost competitiveness of the apparel factory. This role is responsible for managing the IE team, overseeing line balancing, setting SMVs, driving lean manufacturing initiatives, and ensuring that production targets are achieved while maintaining high-quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Department Management
• Lead and develop the IE team, providing training, guidance, and performance management.
• Establish IE department strategies and align them with factory goals.
• Coordinate with production, planning, quality, and technical departments to ensure smooth operations.
• Method Engineering & Standardization
• Approve SMV (Standard Minute Value) for all styles and ensure accurate time & motion studies.
• Standardize operation breakdowns, methods, and SOPs across lines and styles.
• Introduce best practices, new machinery, and attachments to improve productivity.
• Line Balancing & Productivity Improvement
• Plan, balance, and monitor sewing lines to achieve efficiency targets.
• Identify and resolve production bottlenecks through method improvement.
• Support supervisors and operators during new style introduction to reduce learning curve time.
• Capacity Planning & Costing
• Work with merchandising and planning teams to provide accurate SMV-based capacity forecasts.
• Assist in style costing by providing precise SMV and labor cost analysis.
• Monitor cost-saving opportunities and contribute to profitability improvements.
• Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement
• Implement lean manufacturing principles such as 5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma, and waste elimination.
• Drive continuous improvement projects across sewing, cutting, and finishing sections.
• Benchmark efficiency standards and track factory-wide productivity performance.
• Reporting & Analytics
• Prepare and present daily, weekly, and monthly IE performance reports.
• Analyze efficiency, manpower utilization, and capacity vs. actual performance.
• Recommend corrective actions based on data-driven insights.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Textile/Clothing Technology, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in Industrial Engineering within apparel manufacturing, with at least 3–5 years in a managerial role.
• Proven track record of driving efficiency improvements in large-scale garment factories.
• Strong knowledge of SMV, time & motion study, line balancing, lean manufacturing, and IE systems.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and IE-related software (e.g., GSD, Pro-SMV).

Company Awards

• Great Place To Work 2024
• Private Irish Business of the year – Export Industry Awards 2024
• Silver Ecovadis Sustainability Rating 2025

Applicants must have a right to live and work in the relevant jurisdiction.

Portwest is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, civil status, veteran status, family status, disability status or membership of a minority group.