The Project

Within the Special Initiative "Decent Work for a Just Transition", implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, sequa implements the SME Support Scheme targeting growth-oriented SMEs in Rwanda. The project aims to facilitate business growth and decent job creation by increasing the competitiveness, productivity, and market readiness of Rwandan SMEs. The SME Support Scheme supports medium-sized enterprises, including Kigali Tents Tech Ltd., a manufacturing and service company specializing in locally made tents, tarpaulins, shades, parasols, rentals, repairs, and customized outdoor structures.

The scope of this assignment is to strengthen Kigali Tents Tech Ltd’s production capacity and manufacturing systems by diagnosing production bottlenecks, optimizing the workshop layout and workflow, developing SOPs, training the team on product improvements, and establishing production flow and quality-control tools.

Your Tasks / Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive technical production diagnostic covering workflow, workshop layout, capacity, bottlenecks, material flow, quality-control practices, and machine utilization.
• Develop an optimized production layout and manufacturing workflow plan to increase output, reduce delays, improve delivery reliability, and strengthen quality consistency for tents, tarpaulins, shades, parasols, and metal frames.
• Develop practical SOPs, quality-control checklists, production planning tools, and maintenance routines for production, welding/sealing, metal-frame preparation, installation, repair, rental, and finishing processes.
• Train production team on new technology and best practices used in Fabric Cutting, welding and Metal Fabrication.
• Assess OSH and site-readiness requirements and train the production team on safe machine use, workflow discipline, quality control, maintenance responsibilities and performance monitoring.

Your Qualifications / Skills

• Education/training: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Production Management, Operations Management, Metal Fabrication, Textile/Tarpaulin Manufacturing, or a related technical degree. Training in lean manufacturing, quality management, OSH, or maintenance systems is an asset.
• Languages: Full proficiency in English is mandatory. Fluency in Kinyarwanda can be an advantage.
• Other Skills: Strong knowledge of production systems, workshop layout, workflow optimization, equipment specification, SOP development, quality control, production planning, maintenance planning, and occupational safety; practical understanding of light manufacturing, PVC/tarpaulin welding, textile/tent production, or metal-frame fabrication is an advantage.

Your Working Experience

• General professional experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in industrial engineering, production systems, manufacturing optimization, operations management, or technical advisory support to manufacturing SMEs.
• Specific professional experience: Demonstrated experience in production diagnostics, workshop layout improvement, workflow optimization, machinery specification/validation, SOPs, quality-control tools, installation readiness, and production-team training. Experience in tent/tarpaulin production, PVC welding, textile-based manufacturing, metal fabrication, or outdoor structures is a strong advantage.
• Regional experience: Experience working with or advising SMEs in emerging markets, preferably in Rwanda or East Africa.

• Conduct a comprehensive technical production diagnostic covering workflow, workshop layout, capacity, bottlenecks, material flow, quality-control practices, and machine utilization.
• Develop an optimized production layout and manufacturing workflow plan to increase output, reduce delays, improve delivery reliability, and strengthen quality consistency for tents, tarpaulins, shades, parasols, and metal frames.
• Develop practical SOPs, quality-control checklists, production planning tools, and maintenance routines for production, welding/sealing, metal-frame preparation, installation, repair, rental, and finishing processes.
• Train production team on new technology and best practices used in Fabric Cutting, welding and Metal Fabrication.
• Assess OSH and site-readiness requirements and train the production team on safe machine use, workflow discipline, quality control, maintenance responsibilities and performance monitoring.

• Strong knowledge of production systems, workshop layout, workflow optimization, equipment specification, SOP development, quality control, production planning, maintenance planning, and occupational safety; practical understanding of light manufacturing, PVC/tarpaulin welding, textile/tent production, or metal-frame fabrication is an advantage.

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Production Management, Operations Management, Metal Fabrication, Textile/Tarpaulin Manufacturing, or a related technical degree. Training in lean manufacturing, quality management, OSH, or maintenance systems is an asset.
• Full proficiency in English is mandatory. Fluency in Kinyarwanda can be an advantage.