Job Description

Automotive KD Industrialisation & Localisation Manager (Contract) Sandton
We seek a highly experienced specialist to drive KD (Knock-Down) industrialisation, localisation strategy, and import/assembly planning. This role requires deep OEM experience, strong understanding of CKD/SKD operations, and the ability to evaluate tooling requirements, assembly quality, and overall plant readiness.
This is a 12-month contract role.
Key Responsibilities

• Analyse existing KD project structures, operational models, and localisation opportunities in South Africa.
• Evaluate regulatory frameworks, duty structures, tax implications, government incentives, and localisation thresholds.
• Define the optimal KD level (SKD/CKD) and localisation scope based on feasibility, tax efficiency, and supply chain capability.
• Identify required tooling investments, equipment upgrades, and assembly-line capabilities for compliant KD operations.
• Assess assembly quality standards, process controls, and compliance with OEM build requirements.
• Determine homologation processes, regulatory documentation, and market-entry compliance needs.
• Introduce and evaluate contract assembly partners, component suppliers, and logistics providers.
• Provide detailed cost benchmarking, including tooling costs, assembly fees, local component pricing, and inland transportation rates.
• Recommend key roles and capacity requirements for building and sustaining KD operations.
• Develop customised localisation strategies aligned with incentive schemes, industrial policy, and historical benchmarks.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrialisation, Project Management, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• 12+ years' experience in the automotive industry, ideally within an OEM environment.
• Proven experience delivering full end-to-end KD/CKD/SKD programmes, including tooling decisions and assembly-quality oversight.
• Strong understanding of automotive import structures, manufacturing processes, and localisation regulations in South Africa.
• Experience in cost modelling, supplier assessments, feasibility studies, and manufacturing readiness.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and cross-functional stakeholder management skills.
• Valid, unendorsed driver's licence.

Ideal Candidate Attributes

• Strong analytical ability with a commercial and operational mindset.
• High attention to detail regarding quality, standards, and compliance.
• Able to work within complex, fast-moving industrial environments.
• Confident engaging with senior teams across operations, finance, logistics, aftersales, and supplier networks.

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Skills Required