National Operations Manager

West Coast Personnel; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

West Coast Personnel in Wellington, Western Cape, is seeking an experienced National Operations Manager to oversee four feed manufacturing facilities across South Africa. The role focuses on operational excellence, production efficiency, cost control and sustaining profitability.

The successful candidate must be a strategic leader with multi-site operations experience, strong financial acumen and a track record of implementing continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years' experience within a manufacturing environment, preferably animal feed manufacturing or a related industry.
• Proven experience managing multi-site manufacturing operations – ESSENTIAL.
• Strong financial and commercial expertise, including budgeting, cost control and profitability management.
• Willingness to travel nationally between operational facilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across four manufacturing facilities.
• Lead, mentor and manage a team of Operations Managers to achieve operational objectives.
• Drive operational excellence, productivity and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure optimal production output and consistent product quality standards.
• Oversee production planning and supply to meet customer requirements.
• Optimise plant machinery, equipment performance and operational efficiencies.
• Manage operational budgets, distribution costs, profitability and financial performance.
• Oversee raw material, finished goods and packaging stock management.
• Manage suppliers, service providers and service level agreements.
• Oversee capital expenditure budgets, projects and plant improvements.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality legislation.
• Implement strategies to improve operational performance, reduce costs and maximise profitability.

Education

Relevant 3-year tertiary qualification in Engineering, Operations Management, Agriculture or a related field.

Job description

NATIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER

Location: Wellington, Western Cape

Salary: Competitive Salary Package + Benefits

Industry: Manufacturing

About the Position

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced and results-driven National Operations Manager to join a well-established manufacturing business.

The successful candidate will oversee four feed manufacturing facilities across South Africa, ensuring operational excellence, production efficiency, cost optimisation and profitability.

This senior management position requires a strategic leader with extensive manufacturing experience, proven multi-site operational management expertise and strong financial and commercial acumen.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across four manufacturing facilities.
• Lead, mentor and manage a team of Operations Managers to achieve operational objectives.
• Drive operational excellence, productivity and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure optimal production output and consistent product quality standards.
• Oversee production planning and supply to meet customer requirements.
• Optimise plant machinery, equipment performance and operational efficiencies.
• Manage operational budgets, distribution costs, profitability and financial performance.
• Oversee raw material, finished goods and packaging stock management.
• Manage suppliers, service providers and service level agreements.
• Oversee capital expenditure budgets, projects and plant improvements.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality legislation.
• Implement strategies to improve operational performance, reduce costs and maximise profitability.

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant 3-year tertiary qualification in Engineering, Operations Management, Agriculture or a related field.
• 8–12 years' experience within a manufacturing environment, preferably animal feed manufacturing or a related industry.
• Proven experience managing multi-site manufacturing operations – ESSENTIAL.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage operational management teams.
• Strong financial and commercial expertise, including budgeting, cost control and profitability management.
• Sound understanding of manufacturing processes, plant performance and operational efficiency.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement and productivity initiatives.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving and relationship-building skills.
• Highly motivated, proactive and capable of working independently.
• Willingness to travel nationally between operational facilities.