Operations Manager - Independent Power Plant

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Performance bonuses

Relocation assistance

Career advancement

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein, Free State, is seeking a seasoned Operations Manager to lead the power plant's operations. The role requires deep expertise in generation, maintenance, safety, and personnel leadership to ensure safe, reliable power delivery.

The successful candidate will drive performance improvements, manage budgets, liaise with regulators, and mentor teams while upholding environmental standards and company policies in South Africa's energy sector.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical) or related field; MBA advantageous.
• Minimum of 10 years of power plant operations experience with at least 5 in a leadership role.
• Experience in managing thermal power plants or renewable energy facilities.
• Strong leadership, financial management, and safety knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day operations of the power plant, including generation and maintenance.
• Ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation meeting targets and regulations.
• Develop and implement operational procedures to optimize performance and reduce costs.
• Oversee maintenance programs, outages, asset integrity and availability.
• Lead, mentor, and develop operations and maintenance teams.
• Manage budgets for operations and maintenance; identify cost savings.
• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and HSE policies.
• Liaise with regulators, grid operators, and external stakeholders.
• Oversee emergency response planning and execution.
• Prepare performance reports for senior management.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Safety compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Power plant operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree or MBA (advantageous)

Tools

Power plant management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent operator of independent power generation facilities, is seeking a seasoned Operations Manager to lead the operational activities of their plant in Bloemfontein, Free State. This senior management role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of plant operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable power generation in compliance with all regulatory and environmental standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in power plant management, including operations, maintenance, safety, and personnel leadership. This is a key position for an experienced professional looking to make a significant impact on the energy supply in Free State region and contribute to the company's operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and direct all day-to-day operations of the power plant, including generation, maintenance, and support functions.
• Ensure the plant operates safely, efficiently, and reliably, meeting all performance targets and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement operational procedures and best practices to optimize performance and minimize costs.
• Oversee the plant's maintenance program, including planned and unplanned outages, to ensure asset integrity and availability.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the operations and maintenance teams, fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
• Manage budgets for operations and maintenance, controlling expenditures and identifying cost‑saving opportunities.
• Ensure strict adherence to environmental regulations and company HSE policies.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies, grid operators, and other external stakeholders.
• Oversee emergency response planning and execution.
• Prepare operational reports and performance analyses for senior management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical) or a related technical field. A Master's degree or MBA is advantageous.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in power plant operations, with at least 5 years in a management or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience in managing thermal power plants (e.g., gas, coal, diesel) or renewable energy facilities.
• In-depth knowledge of power plant systems, operational procedures, maintenance strategies, and safety protocols.
• Strong leadership, team management, and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent understanding of financial management and budget control.
• Proficiency in power plant management software and systems.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Must be legally eligible to work in Bloemfontein, Free State.

Benefits

• competitive executive salary
• comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement fund
• performance bonuses
• relocation assistance if necessary
• substantial career advancement prospects within the organization

This role is based in Bloemfontein, Free State, the judicial capital of South Africa.