Artisan Chief Grade A: Production

About the role

The Government Printing Works is hiring 2 Artisan Chief Grade A: Production posts, based in Pretoria. This is a permanent post, paying R499,470 a year. Directorates: Security Printing and Commercial Printing How to apply: Link: GPW 26/013 Reference number to quote: GPW 26/013 Closing date: 17 November 2026 at 16:00 (walk-in) and 23:59 (online) Use the new Z83 form and attach a detailed CV.

Responsibilities

• Planning and coordinating production to meet quality, output, and turnaround targets.
• Overseeing automated, semi-automated and manual finishing, binding and packaging processes.
• Managing examination packaging, hard-cover binding, thread-sewn books, book-cover printing, collating, numbering, pasting, drilling, and stapling.
• Controlling wastage, protecting confidential and security products and verifying production and packaging quantities.
• Monitoring quality, investigating defects, implementing corrective actions, and ensuring compliance with ISO standards where applicable.
• Maintaining production records, analysing productivity trends, preparing reports, and approving completed batches for dispatch.
• Ensuring equipment is cleaned, calibrated, maintained, and repaired through preventative maintenance and Engineering support.
• Managing SHERQ and OHSA compliance, risk assessments, incident investigations, PPE use, and safety talks.
• Supervising staff, allocating work, monitoring performance, managing attendance and discipline, and conducting performance reviews.
• Training and developing learners, artisans, and printer assistants.
• Developing policies, strategies, production procedures, continuous improvement measures, and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Ensure effective and efficient production and process flow in the Division.
• Keep up to date with new developments in the functional area, ensuring optimum production in the Division.
• Develop policies and strategies.
• Review, implement and comply with production procedures and policies as required by GPW.

Requirements

• Grade 10 or equivalent qualification plus a completed apprenticeship in Craft Bookbinding, Mechanised Bookbinding or Packaging, with an appropriate Printing Trade Test Certificate.
• Grade 12 and computer literacy will be an advantage.
• At least 10 years' post-apprenticeship appropriate experience in the printing industry, of which at least 5 years must be in Craft Bookbinding, Mechanised Bookbinding or Packaging, and at least 3 years must be proven supervisory experience.
• Must be able to obtain a positive security clearance.
• Specialised knowledge of binding, packaging and finishing processes and equipment is required.
• A valid driver's license will be an added advantage.