Business Manager

CF & I Consulting; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

CF & I Consulting is seeking a senior operations leader to drive sustainable revenue growth across Southern Africa. The role held full accountability for the Natural Resources business portfolio, including Geochemistry, Trade Energy, Trade Non-Energy, Metallurgy, Mineralogy, Oil, Gas & Chemicals (OGC), and Engineering Services.

You will lead regional operations, identify opportunities, manage budgets, and ensure QHSE compliance, with responsibility for cross-location teams and multi-site

Qualifications

• Experience leading regional operations and cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to develop and execute growth strategies.
• Strong financial oversight including budgeting and forecasting.
• Compliance with QHSE and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute business strategies to drive revenue growth across Southern Africa.
• Oversee contract management and international/domestic project terms.
• Monitor KPIs and drive operational excellence across divisions.
• Lead talent development, succession planning, and skill-building across locations.
• Communicate with executive leadership on performance, risks, and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operations management

Business development

Budgeting

Job description

• Develop and execute business strategies to drive sustainable revenue growth, profitability, and long-term business performance across Southern Africa.

• Held full operational accountability for the Natural Resources business portfolio, including Geochemistry, Trade Energy, Trade Non-Energy, Metallurgy, Mineralogy, Oil, Gas & Chemicals (OGC), and Engineering Services.

• Led regional operations to ensure alignment with company objectives, strategic priorities, quality standards, and financial targets.

• Identified, developed, and launched new business opportunities and service offerings across Southern Africa in collaboration with Business Development teams, expanding market presence and service capabilities.

• Directed business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management processes, ensuring achievement of revenue, profitability, and operational objectives.

• Monitored financial performance through regular reviews, identifying performance gaps and implementing corrective actions to maximize business results.

• Led talent acquisition, succession planning, skills development, and training initiatives to strengthen technical capabilities and build high-performing teams across multiple locations.

• Fostered a unified, collaborative, and performance-driven culture focused on operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.

• Maintained overall responsibility for divisional operations, ensuring the effective execution of strategic, operational, and commercial objectives.

• Conducted market research and competitive analysis to identify growth opportunities, develop market-entry strategies, and support business expansion initiatives.

• Oversaw contract management and administration of international and domestic projects, including contract negotiations, pricing reviews, service agreements, and commercial terms.

• Ensured implementation and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System and Quality Assurance Programme across all operational areas.

• Maintained regular communication with executive leadership, providing timely updates on operational performance, commercial activities, financial results, strategic initiatives, and business risks.

• Championed a culture of Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (QHSE), ensuring compliance with company policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.

• Accountable for compliance with environmental legislation and regulatory obligations relating to air quality, waste management, water resources, and environmental protection.

• Monitored and drove improvements in key performance indicators relating to safety, quality, client satisfaction, operational efficiency, turnaround times, and employee performance.

• Ensured delivery of exceptional customer service by meeting or exceeding client expectations relating to quality, responsiveness, and turnaround times.