Contractor - Operations Manager

Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd.; Durban; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading lubricant manufacturing company in Durban seeks an Operations Manager to oversee blending, filling, and maintenance activities while ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Applicants should possess strong organizational and leadership skills, with experience in managing budgets and fostering a safety-first culture. This role offers the opportunity to lead a diverse team and drive operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of organizational effectiveness and operations management.
• Experience in budgeting and forecasting.
• Familiarity with business and financial principles.

Responsibilities

• Manage blending, filling, scheduling, and maintenance activities.
• Liaise with management for operational initiatives.
• Promote safety and quality as part of operational excellence.

Skills

Organizational effectiveness

Budgeting and forecasting

Communication skills

Leadership ability

Organizational skills

Job description

Overview

Contract End Date - 30/09/2026

Responsible for carrying out all the blending, filling, scheduling and maintenance and capital projects activities to properly execute the tasks compliantly as per OE expectations, customer demand and in an appropriate, cost-effective way. Liaise with the LMP Manager to provide overall direction to the lubricant’s facility, setting strategic goals and executing initiatives. Establishes direction and visible leadership in the development and implementation of Operational Excellence (OE), including Health, Environment, Safety, Reliability, Efficiency and Quality to safeguard and augment the efficiency of the company’s operations to facilitate accelerating development and long-term success. Champion’s culture of Incident Free Operation by using the 10 Life Saving Behaviours as a core code of conduct.

Responsibilities

• Carry out blending, filling, scheduling, maintenance and capital projects activities to execute tasks compliantly with OE expectations, customer demand and cost-effectiveness.
• Liaise with the LMP Manager to provide direction and execute initiatives at the lubricant facility.
• Establish direction and visible leadership in the development and implementation of Operational Excellence (OE) focusing on Health, Environment, Safety, Reliability, Efficiency and Quality.
• Promote and sustain a culture of Incident Free Operation using the 10 Life Saving Behaviours as a core code of conduct.

Performance Perspectives

• Financial Perspective - Manage Opex and Capex forecast and spend within approved budgets.
• Customer Perspective - Ensure production KPIs are met through efficient plant operations to service customer orders.
• Internal Processes - Ensure all agreed Safety and Operational KPIs and objectives are met. Establish and maintain communications with support functions such as HR, IT & Finance.
• People Management - Mentor team members to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of organizational effectiveness and operations management.
• Experience budgeting and forecasting.
• Familiarity with business and financial principles.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Leadership ability.
• Outstanding organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a diverse team of manufacturing workers.