CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Premier Human Capital Corporation; Mpumalanga; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Premier Human Capital Corporation is assisting a well-established South African textile manufacturer in recruiting a Chief Executive Officer. The role oversees strategy, manufacturing operations, financial sustainability, and market expansion, with accountability for performance and long-term growth across the group.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive senior executive experience in manufacturing, a strong P&L orientation, and a track record of transformational leadership, stakeholder

Qualifications

• Significant senior executive leadership experience (CEO/MD or equivalent).
• Proven manufacturing experience, ideally textiles.
• Full P&L accountability and financial acumen.
• Experience with domestic and international markets and exports.
• Ability to lead transformation and modernization.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership with accountability for performance.
• Drive modernization and growth across markets and operations.
• Lead manufacturing, finance, and commercial development.
• Build and lead a high-performing executive team.
• Ensure governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Commercial acumen

People leadership

Stakeholder management

Change management

Negotiation

Decision making

Problem solving

Resilience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree / MBA

Job description

About this position

South African Textile Manufacturing

About Our Client

Our client is a well-established and respected name in the South African textile manufacturing sector, recognized for producing high-quality woven and knitted fabrics for both domestic and export markets.

With decades of operational heritage, the company combines traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing technology to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. As the business enters its next phase of growth, our client is seeking a strategic, commercially astute, and transformational Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization through modernization, market expansion, and operational transformation, while preserving the values and legacy that have made the company an employer and supplier of choice in the region.

The Opportunity

The Chief Executive Officer will provide overall strategic and operational leadership to the business, with accountability for commercial performance, manufacturing operations, financial sustainability, people leadership, customer relationships, and long-term growth.

The successful candidate will be expected to build on the company's existing strengths while identifying and executing opportunities to improve operational efficiency, expand market share, strengthen the company's competitive position, and unlock new domestic and international revenue streams.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for an executive who can operate effectively across strategy, manufacturing, finance, commercial development, people, and stakeholder management.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the company's overall business strategy in alignment with shareholder objectives.
• Establish clear short-, medium-, and long-term strategic priorities and translate them into measurable business plans.
• Lead the organization through its next phase of growth, modernization, and transformation.
• Identify emerging market trends, competitive threats, and opportunities for business expansion.
• Strengthen the company's position within the South African and international textile markets.
• Ensure the company's heritage, values, and reputation remain central to its future growth strategy.

Manufacturing & Operational Excellence

• Provide strategic oversight of all manufacturing and operational activities.
• Drive improvements in productivity, quality, efficiency, capacity utilization, and cost management.
• Champion the modernization of manufacturing processes, systems, technology, and equipment where appropriate.
• Ensure production operations meet required quality, safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Establish and monitor operational KPIs and ensure accountability across the leadership team.
• Promote continuous improvement and operational excellence throughout the organization.
• Work closely with technical and production teams to optimize manufacturing performance.

Commercial & Market Development

• Develop and execute strategies to increase revenue, profitability, and market share.
• Expand the company's customer base across domestic and export markets.
• Identify new products, customer segments, geographic markets, and commercial partnerships.
• Strengthen relationships with major customers, suppliers, distributors, and strategic partners.
• Monitor pricing, market positioning, competitor activity, and industry developments.
• Ensure the company's product offering remains aligned with evolving customer and market requirements.
• Take overall accountability for the company's financial performance and sustainability.
• Work closely with the finance function to develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and financial plans.
• Drive revenue growth while maintaining strong cost discipline and margin performance.
• Monitor cash flow, working capital, profitability, capital expenditure, and overall financial health.
• Evaluate major investments and business opportunities to ensure sound commercial returns.
• Maintain appropriate financial governance, controls, and risk management practices.

People & Organizational Leadership

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing executive and management team.
• Establish a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Develop talent and succession plans for critical leadership and technical positions.
• Ensure effective workforce planning aligned with business requirements.
• Promote employee engagement, productivity, and professional development.
• Lead organizational change effectively while maintaining employee confidence and alignment.
• Ensure the organization operates in accordance with applicable South African legislation, industry regulations, and corporate governance requirements.
• Identify and manage strategic, operational, financial, commercial, and reputational risks.
• Maintain effective internal controls and governance structures.
• Provide transparent and timely reporting to the Board and shareholders.
• Ensure appropriate policies, procedures, and risk mitigation frameworks are implemented.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the principal ambassador and representative of the organization.
• Maintain strong relationships with shareholders, Board members, customers, employees, suppliers, financial institutions, regulators, industry bodies, and other key stakeholders.
• Represent the company at relevant industry, commercial, and business forums.
• Protect and enhance the organization's reputation and market standing.

Key Performance Areas

Success in the role will be measured through:

• Revenue and profitability growth.
• Expansion into new domestic and international markets.
• Manufacturing productivity and operational efficiency.
• Cost optimization and margin improvement.
• Customer retention and acquisition.
• Successful modernization and digital/technological transformation.
• Product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Employee engagement, retention, and leadership development.
• Effective financial management and cash-flow performance.Achievement of strategic business objectives.
• Strong governance, compliance, and risk management.

Qualifications & Experience

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, Operations, Manufacturing, or a related discipline.
• A Master's degree or MBA will be advantageous.
• Significant senior executive leadership experience, ideally as a CEO, Managing Director, General Manager, or equivalent.
• Proven experience within manufacturing, preferably textiles, apparel, fabrics, industrial manufacturing, or a related sector.
• Demonstrated experience leading a commercially driven organization with full P&L accountability.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, supply chains, procurement, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Proven track record of driving business transformation, modernization, and growth.
• Experience developing domestic and international markets, preferably including export markets.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen.
• Experience working with Boards, shareholders, and senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and build high-performing teams.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strategic and commercial thinking
• Strong business and financial acumen
• Manufacturing and operational leadership
• Transformational leadership
• Market development and growth orientation
• Decision-making and problem-solving
• Stakeholder and relationship management
• People leadership and talent development
• Change management
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Strong governance and ethical leadership
• Resilience and adaptability

Leadership Profile

We are seeking a CEO who is commercially driven, operationally credible, and strategically forward-thinking. The ideal leader will be comfortable balancing the company's established heritage with the need for innovation and modernization.

You will be expected to bring energy, discipline, accountability, and a growth mindset, while building trust across the organization and maintaining strong relationships with employees, customers, shareholders, and other stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be a visible and decisive leader who can translate strategy into execution and deliver sustainable, measurable results.

Location

South Africa

Reporting Line

Board of Directors / Shareholders