Branch Manager

AHK; Durban; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A global company in Durban seeks a Branch Manager to oversee operational services and ensure high-quality commodity surveying. The role requires 5-10 years in the chemical field and previous management experience. Ideal candidates should demonstrate strong leadership, delegation skills, and proficiency in English. This position offers an attractive salary and benefits package.

Benefits

Attractive salary and benefits package

Opportunity for career development

Qualifications

• 5–10 years’ experience in the chemical field.
• 5–10 years’ experience in a management position.
• Minimum 3 years experience in commodity surveying, specific to metals and minerals commodities.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation (Labour, Safety, etc.).
• Highly proficient in English (verbal and written).

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and support the team in a demanding environment.
• Plan, organise, lead and control daily operations.
• Ensure adherence to business methods and procedures.
• Maintain communication with management, staff and vendors.
• Provide technical advice and support to site staff as required.

Skills

Excellent delegation skills while maintaining organisational control

Trained in conflict management

Good interpersonal skills

Demonstrated leadership ability

Attention to detail

Effective oral and written communication

Must have sober habits

Good time-keeping

Education

Tertiary qualification in Operations Management, Business Management, Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering

Management Certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Job description

WHAT IS ON OFFER

Alfred H Knight has an exciting opportunity for a Branch Manager to join the team in Durban. This individual will be responsible to the General Manager for the management of day‑to‑day operational services/sites within the assigned region to ensure that an efficient and high‑quality commodity surveying service is provided in order to meet the reporting deadlines and priorities agreed with AHK Head Office and clients.

ABOUT US

Alfred H Knight is a totally independent, family‑owned business spanning five generations. A global network of strategically placed offices and laboratories enables global trade by providing independent inspection, analysis and consultancy services to the metals and minerals, solid fuels and agriculture industries.

We have honed and carefully crafted our reputation, delivering knowledge and professionalism in all aspects of weighing, sampling and analysis. We thrive by continuously reinvesting in our facilities, technology and people.

For more information, visit our website.

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

To be successful at Alfred H Knight the incumbent will need to display the following:

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain constant communication with management, staff and vendors to ensure effective operations of the business.
• Lead, motivate and support the team within a time‑sensitive and demanding environment, implementing career development plans for all direct reports and resolving problems. Inform the General Manager of continual resourcing difficulties and operational problems.
• Plan, organise, lead and control daily operations to meet agreed work schedules and targets.
• Enforce adherence to business methods and procedures.
• Ensure Inspectors/ Supervisors effectively manage their teams so that sampling work is processed at warehouses and other locations as efficiently as possible to meet the agreed turnaround schedule with clients.
• Liaise with the administration and laboratory departments to prioritise work specific to customer expectations.
• In charge of day‑to‑day operations at the Durban site.
• Maintain cost‑effective utilisation of resources within Johannesburg operations, ensuring reporting schedules are maintained by managing timely data collection to update operations metrics and achieve productivity targets, reduce cost per unit, eliminate errors and deliver excellent customer service.
• Communicate customer issues with the operations team and devise ways of improving the customer experience, including resolving problems and complaints.
• Work with the Operations Manager to ensure contingencies such as staff shortages, illness, holidays, equipment malfunctions, or peaks in work volume are managed through re‑prioritisation of significant amounts of sampling work.
• Ensure the workforce is sufficiently motivated, skilled and trained to meet operational needs. Report any resourcing difficulties or operational problems to the Operations Manager.
• Apply a high degree of accuracy and precision to sampling/surveying, promoting good sampling practice principles and ensuring throughput follows documented methods and procedures. Report any non‑compliance to the Operations Manager.
• Provide technical advice and support to site staff as required, troubleshooting operational problems.
• Advise the Operational Manager on repetitive technical problems relating to day‑to‑day sampling procedures.
• Communicate and report any staff issues to the Operations Manager, including punctuality, attendance and training issues.
• Maintain records so that work is clear, auditable and traceable within the guidelines of AHK SA.
• Support the Operations Manager in organising and participating in client visits and general client‑related technical discussions.
• Participate in disciplinary and grievance meetings in line with Company procedure and in consultation with Human Resources.
• Monitor staff attendance and punctuality in consultation with the HR Department.
• Conduct regular meetings with the Operations Manager and daily meetings with subordinates and staff to discuss job expectations, planning, monitoring, appraisal and review of job contributions.
• Liaise with the Operations Manager to ensure equipment is maintained in a working and calibrated state, organising maintenance where necessary.
• Oversee materials and inventory management.
• Perform other ad‑hoc duties as requested by the Operations Manager and General Manager from time to time.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS

• Ability to demonstrate literacy and numeracy.
• Excellent delegation skills while maintaining organisational control of branch operations and customer service.
• Trained in conflict management and effective interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of general business software and aptitude to learn new applications; proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Demonstrated leadership ability.
• Ability to orchestrate multiple activities simultaneously to achieve goals.
• Can work independently with minimal supervision.
• Adaptable and flexible.
• Attention to detail.
• Team player.
• Good time‑keeping.
• Energetic and self‑starter.
• Must have sober habits.
• No criminal record.
• Commitment to safe work practices.
• Must have own transport and a valid driver’s licence.

REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE

• 5–10 years’ experience in the chemical field.
• 5–10 years’ experience in a management position, including managing/leading a group of people.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation (Labour, Safety, etc.).
• Minimum 3 years experience in commodity surveying, specific to metals and minerals commodities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Tertiary qualification in Operations Management, Business Management, Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering.
• Management Certificate an advantage.
• Knowledge of sampling methodology.
• Highly proficient in English (verbal and written).
• Computer literacy – Microsoft Office Suite.

REQUIRED LANGUAGES

• Fluent in English communication.

BENEFITS

We are offering an excellent opportunity with a salary and benefits package to match.

Alfred H Knight is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community in line with our Employment Equity Plan.