Operations Manager based in Durban (WOA)

MANCOSA PTY LTD; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fuel management company in KwaZulu-Natal is seeking an experienced professional to provide strategic operations leadership and oversight for its wholesale petroleum operations. The ideal candidate will have over 6 years of relevant experience in the road freight and petroleum industries, with strong knowledge in supply chain management. Responsibilities include managing logistics operations, controlling budgets, and ensuring compliance with regulations. A competitive salary of R25,000-R30,000 PM is offered, along with a company pension fund after permanence.

Benefits

Company pension fund (once permanent employee is achieved)

Qualifications

• 6+ years experience in road freight industry.
• 6+ years experience in the petroleum industry.
• Understanding of the impact of your role on service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for petroleum operations.
• Oversee bulk fuel storage and logistics operations.
• Control operational budgets and monitor costs.

Skills

Knowledge of the fueling industry

Attention to detail

Flexible work hours

Customer service mindset

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Qualifications in supply chain management

Matric

Tools

SAP

Pastel

Job description

Job Function

1. Strategic Operations Leadership

• Provide overall strategic direction for wholesale petroleum operations, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, market demand and in compliance with South African fuel market regulations.
• Lead the optimization of fuel storage, distribution, and delivery networks at a national or regional level.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to improve efficiency, cost control, and service reliability.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across logistics, supply chain, transportation, bulk distribution network and operational performance.
• Aligning operational strategy with the Petroleum Products Act, 1977 (as amended) and national energy policy directives.
• Drive operational efficiency across fuel sourcing, storage,
• Ensure alignment between operational capacity, trading volumes, and contractual wholesale supply obligations.

2. Wholesale Supply Chain & Logistics Oversight

• Oversee bulk fuel storage, terminal operations and road transportation
• Ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to wholesale customers, resellers, and commercial clients.
• Manage third-party logistics providers, transporters, and storage facilities through SLAs and performance metrics.
• Monitor stock levels, demand forecasts, and supply risks to prevent shortages or overstocking.
• Ensure compliance with SANS 10089 (Class I dangerous goods – petroleum) and SANS 10231/10232 for fuel handling and transport.
• Oversee road tanker operations in line with the National Road Traffic Act, Dangerous Goods Regulations, and ADR-equivalent SA standards.
• Manage SLAs with transporters and storage.

3. Finance

• Control operational budgets, logistics costs, and depot operating expenses in line with PFMA principles (where applicable) and internal governance frameworks.
• Monitor cost recovery, losses, shrinkage, and variances in bulk fuel handling and transportation.
• Support wholesale pricing structures within the regulated fuel price framework.
• Partner with finance and trading teams to optimize margins while remaining compliant with regulated pricing mechanisms.

4. Other

• Ensure compliance with the Petroleum Products Amendment Act, including price control frameworks where applicable.
• Oversee fuel quality compliance in line with SANS fuel specifications and contamination control standards.
• Champion a zero-harm culture and executive accountability for safety performance.
• Drive performance management, succession planning, and leadership development within operations.
• Ensure governance frameworks, delegations of authority, and operational controls are enforced.
• Ensure accurate reporting of fuel movements, stock balances, and losses
• Oversee ERP, fuel management, stock reconciliation, and loss control systems.
• Support digital transformation initiatives to enhance compliance, traceability, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain operational readiness for internal, external, and regulatory audits.

Requirements

• Matric
• Qualifications in supply chain management
• 6+ Years experience in Road freight industry
• 6+ Years experience in the petroleum industry6+ Years experience on the electronic processing system (SAP, Pastel any other advantageous)
• Knowledge of the fueling industry
• Understanding of the impact of your own role on service delivery to internal and external customer service mind‑set.
• Able to work flexible hours in line with business requirements. This includes alternate weekends.
• Ability to work under pressure whilst maintaining attention to detail.
• Reliable transport

Remuneration

• Salary R25,000-R30,000 PM
• Company pension fund (once permanent employee is achieved)

Profile

• AA and AE
• Age (30 +)