Chief Operating Officer

FoodForward SA; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 2,500,000 - 4,200,000; Full time

Job summary

FoodForward SA in Cape Town is seeking a dynamic Chief Operating Officer to guide our growth, aligning daily operations, finance, and people with our long-term strategy. The COO will lead the Senior Management Team, remove bottlenecks, scale systems, and empower a high-performing leadership team.

The appointment will focus on fundraising, partnerships, and external relations while advancing strategic planning and operational excellence. Early 2027 start is anticipated.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in an executive/senior leadership role scaling high-growth organisations.
• Proven financial management, KPI tracking, and data analytics.
• A track record of building trust internally with staff and externally with stakeholders.
• High emotional intelligence and a hands-on, collaborative leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Senior Management Team and oversee day-to-day operations.
• Drive people, culture, and organisation management.
• Oversee fundraising, stakeholders, partnerships and external relations.
• Lead strategic planning and operational excellence.
• Scale infrastructure to support growth.

Skills

Executive leadership

Financial management

KPI tracking

Data analytics

Stakeholder management

People leadership

Emotional intelligence

Collaborative leadership

Job description

Chief Operations Officer | Cape Town, Office-Based

FoodForward SA is seeking a dynamic Chief Operating Officer ( COO) for our next phase of growth.

The COO will oversee the Senior Management Team (SMT) and align our daily operations, finance, and people functions with our long‑term strategy. The COO will remove bottlenecks, scale systems, turn vision into reality, and empower a high‑performing leadership team.

Summary of the Role

• Manage the senior management team and day‑to‑day general operations
• People, culture, and organisation management
• Fundraising, stakeholders, partnerships and external relations
• Strategic planning
• Operational Excellence
• Scaling Infrastructure

Skills and Experience Required

• 8+ years in an executive/senior leadership role scaling high‑growth organisations.
• Proven financial management, KPI tracking, and data analytics.
• A track record of building trust internally with staff and externally with stakeholders.
• High emotional intelligence and a hands‑on, collaborative leadership style.

The appointment is for early 2027. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.