Chief Operations Officer

Edge Executive Search Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 750 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics firm in Johannesburg is seeking an experienced Chief Operations Officer to drive operational strategy across the national logistics group. The role entails leading cross-functional teams, optimizing processes, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Candidates should possess over 10 years of senior leadership experience, ideally within transport or logistics, with a strong grasp of supply chain and financial analytics. This position offers a critical role at the executive level, influencing national strategy and fostering a high-performance culture.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ senior operational leadership in the transport or logistics industry.
• At least 5 years in an executive-level role.
• Proven success leading multi-site teams and large-scale change initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Craft and implement operational plans that drive organisational objectives.
• Identify inefficiencies and champion continuous improvement initiatives.
• Align budgets to strategy and mitigate operational risk.

Skills

Senior operational leadership

Supply chain management

Financial analytics

Negotiation skills

Project management

Data analysis

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or Finance

MBA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Chief Operationg Office

Johannesburg,South Africa (Head Office)

Full time

Drive the engine. Shape sustainable growth.

If you’re ready to move from senior operations leadership into an enterprise?wide mandate, this role gives you the platform to optimise strategy, people, and performance across a national logistics group.

About the Role

As Chief Operations Officer (COO) you’ll collaborate with the CEO and Executive team to translate vision into operational reality. You’ll lead cross functional teams, streamline end to end processes, and embed data driven decision making that lifts productivity, lowers cost, and positions the business for long?term, sustainable growth in the transport and aviation logistics sector.

What You’ll Lead

• Operational Strategy & Execution – Craft and implement short- and long-range operational plans that drive organisational objectives.
• Process Optimisation – Identify inefficiencies and champion continuous?improvement initiatives that improve throughput, quality, and cost effectiveness.
• Financial & Risk Management – Align budgets to strategy, oversee cash, cost, and revenue controls, and mitigate operational risk to ensure business continuity.
• Business Analytics – Establish data dashboards, analyse performance trends, and present actionable insights to the Executive team.
• Regulatory & Compliance Governance – Ensure full adherence to transport, aviation, labour, and BBBEE regulations; own policy creation and audit readiness.
• Customer & Partner Relationships – Negotiate and manage key supplier and client agreements, driving service excellence and retention.
• Talent & Culture – Build an inclusive, high performance culture, setting clear KPIs, mentoring leaders, and fostering values based behaviour enterprise wide.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, or equivalent (MBA preferred).
• 10+years’ senior operational leadership in the transport or logistics industry ; at least 5 years in an executive?level role.
• Demonstrated mastery of supply chain, finance, and customer?service disciplines.
• Proven success leading multi?site teams and large scale change initiatives.
• Advanced data, financial analytics, and Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Strong negotiation, project management, and critical thinking skills.
• Experience in aviation and road freight highly advantageous.

What Success Looks Like

• Operational KPIs met or exceeded across cost, quality, and service metrics.
• A culture of accountability, inclusivity, and continuous improvement flourishes.
• Robust, data driven processes minimise risk and maximise profitability.
• Stakeholders—customers, suppliers, regulators—rate the organisation as a trusted, responsive partner.

What Awaits You

• A seat at the executive table to influence national logistics strategy.
• Autonomy to modernise operations with next generation technology and best practice.
• The chance to mentor emerging leaders and leave a legacy of operational excellence.