Operations Manager

Quest Staffing Solutions; Sasolburg; On-site; ZAR 863,000 - 1,034,000; Full time

Job summary

Quest Staffing Solutions currently seeks an Operations Manager to oversee all operational activities in Sasolburg, with welcome relocation support. The role focuses on stock and asset management, profitability, staff leadership, compliance, SHERQ, and successful delivery of industrial services projects.

The ideal candidate will have extensive leadership experience in industrial services, strong budgeting and cost management skills, and a track record of driving operational efficiency while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil/structural engineering or related field
• Experience in logistics, procurement, budget control, and cost management
• Strong knowledge of project costing, budgeting, progress reporting, and resource planning
• Petrochemical industry experience (5-20 years) and strong health, safety, and compliance focus

Responsibilities

• Oversee stock management, maintain stock levels, and ensure compliance with maintenance schedules.
• Manage scaffold counts, asset condition, and utilization plans while ensuring legal compliance.
• Maximize utilization of company assets and evaluate rent-versus-buy options to optimize revenue.
• Drive operational performance, profitability, KPIs, and alignment with service line strategies.
• Ensure policies, governance, regulatory compliance, and client contractual obligations are met.
• Contribute to strategic business planning and manage annual budgets to support growth.
• Lead and develop staff, maintain lean operations, and promote continuous improvement.
• Ensure SHERQ compliance, risk management, and incident reporting across sites.
• Support Employment Equity, transformation initiatives, and local recruitment compliance.

Skills

Project costing & budgeting

Resource planning

Contract administration

HSE compliance

Leadership & team development

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field

Postgraduate qualification in Management or related discipline

Job description

Operations Manager

Location: Sasolburg (welcome to relocate)

Salary: R 85 000 CTC monthly

Employment Type: FTC - Perm after probation period

Start Date: 1 December 2026

Job Purpose

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing all operational activities within the business, ensuring effective stock and asset management, profitability, business development, staff leadership, compliance, SHERQ standards, and the successful delivery of industrial services projects. The role focuses on driving operational efficiency, maintaining compliance, maximizing asset utilization, and supporting sustainable business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Stock Management

• Ensure weekly stock counts are conducted and comply with company policies.
• Maintain control over stock holdings and minimum stock levels.
• Ensure compliance with planned maintenance schedules.
• Monitor daily vehicle and equipment inspections and maintain accurate records.
• Ensure repairs are attended to promptly.
• Manage intercompany and regional asset transfers in accordance with company policies.
• Ensure all assets remain fit for purpose and operationally compliant.

Scaffold Management

• Manage scaffold counts bi-annually and ensure accuracy of results.
• Monitor scaffold asset condition and recommend replacement requirements.
• Develop scaffolding utilization plans for projects, maintenance activities, and shutdowns.
• Ensure compliance with scaffolding refurbishment and legal requirements.
• Optimize scaffold utilization across operations.
• Ensure timely supply and delivery of scaffold materials.
• Manage scaffold count variances, findings, write-offs, and losses.

Asset Rental Management

• Maximize utilization of company-owned assets across regions and business units.
• Evaluate and recommend rent-versus-buy decisions for management approval.
• Identify opportunities to generate revenue from underutilized assets through external rentals.

Operational Performance & Profitability

• Support implementation of operational and service line strategies.
• Drive key business performance indicators including HSE, profitability, quality, and efficiency.
• Lead and direct operational teams to achieve business objectives.
• Communicate operational plans and performance objectives across management levels.
• Identify and pursue high-margin specialized service opportunities.
• Review annual budgets and identify cost-saving and revenue growth opportunities.
• Monitor and manage key cost and revenue drivers.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure company policies and procedures are documented, communicated, and accessible.
• Promote a culture of compliance and accountability throughout the organization.
• Conduct regular compliance audits and reviews.
• Ensure adherence to client contractual obligations and regulatory requirements.
• Stay informed on legislative and industry compliance changes.

Business Development

• Contribute to strategic and operational business planning.
• Develop and manage annual budgets aligned to strategic objectives.
• Monitor business performance and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Identify, investigate, and negotiate new business opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships.
• Support contract renewals, extensions, and growth opportunities.
• Ensure purchasing processes comply with company procedures and operational requirements.

Staff Management & Leadership

• Ensure sufficient competent resources are available to meet operational requirements.
• Lead, manage, and develop employees across business units.
• Drive skills development and knowledge retention initiatives.
• Promote high-performance culture and continuous improvement.

SHERQ Management

• Ensure all employees meet competency and compliance requirements.
• Maintain accurate and accessible employee compliance records.
• Ensure relevant safety personnel hold required certifications.
• Ensure equipment, tools, vehicles, PPE, and accessories remain safe and operational.
• Maintain compliance with site-specific safety requirements.
• Promote incident reporting and stop-work authority.
• Support ongoing improvement of safety policies and procedures.

B-BBEE & Transformation

• Support Employment Equity and transformation initiatives.
• Participate in Employment Equity meetings and planning activities.
• Ensure training interventions maximize compliance and development objectives.
• Support community and supplier development initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to project-specific local recruitment requirements.

Human Resources & Industrial Relations

• Ensure recruitment of suitably qualified and competent employees.
• Identify skills gaps and recommend development solutions.
• Manage annual leave and workforce planning requirements.
• Foster positive employee and management relations.
• Engage with unions and employee representatives as required.
• Ensure disciplinary processes comply with company policies.
• Manage headcount requirements in line with operational demands and contractual obligations.
• Develop workforce plans for maintenance projects and shutdowns.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years' experience within the industrial services industry.
• Strong knowledge of project costing, budgeting, progress reporting, and resource planning.
• Experience in logistics, procurement, budget control, and cost management.
• Understanding of contract management and client engagement.
• Experience in scaffolding, painting, insulation, industrial cleaning, and related industrial services.
• Petrochemical industry experience (5-20 years).
• Strong health, safety, and compliance focus.
• Valid driver's licence.

Preferred

• Postgraduate qualification in Management or related discipline.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strategic and operational leadership.
• Budgeting and financial management.
• Project management and resource planning.
• Contract administration and stakeholder management.
• KPI reporting and business analytics.
• Cost control and profitability management.
• Risk management and compliance oversight.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.

Competencies & Attributes

• Strong safety awareness.
• Customer-focused approach.
• Excellent stakeholder relationship management.
• Attention to detail.
• Effective time management.
• Goal-oriented and solutions-driven.
• Positive and professional attitude.
• Strong leadership and decision-making capability.
• Ability to mentor and develop teams.
• High level of accountability and integrity.