Production Operations Manager - Durban

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,400,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary and performance-based bonus

Medical aid and pension fund

Leadership development opportunities

Relocation assistance

Durban-based role

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking aProduction Operations Manager to oversee Durban-based production facilities in the oil and gas sector. Lead safe, efficient operations, manage budgets, and drive continuous improvement across sites.

You will coordinate with drilling, reservoir engineering, and maintenance to maximize hydrocarbon recovery, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver operational excellence in a dynamic environment in Durban.

Qualifications

• BSc in Engineering (Petroleum, Mechanical, Chemical) or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 10 years in oil & gas production operations management.
• Proven leadership of large operational teams.
• Strong understanding of production equipment, processes and optimization.
• Commitment to health, safety and environmental best practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Experience with production reporting and performance analysis tools.
• Familiarity with SA Oil & Gas regulatory landscape.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production operations, ensuring targets are met safely and efficiently.
• Develop and lead production operations teams, fostering performance and safety culture.
• Create and implement strategies to optimize production rates and minimize downtime.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Manage production operations budget, control costs, identify efficiency improvements.
• Coordinate with maintenance to ensure integrity and reliability of equipment.
• Monitor production performance metrics and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with drilling, reservoir engineering, and commercial teams to support objectives.
• Lead incident investigations and apply lessons learned to prevent recurrence.
• Promote adoption of new technologies to boost production efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

HSE management

Budgeting

Operational optimization

Communication

Performance analysis

Education

BSc in Engineering (Petroleum/Mechanical/Chemical)

Tools

Production reporting tools

Performance analytics software

Job description

About the Role Our client, a major operator in the upstream Oil & Gas sector, is seeking an accomplished Production Operations Manager to oversee their production facilities and activities in the Durban, KwaZulu-Natal region. This senior leadership role is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective production operations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in managing production teams, optimizing field operations, and maintaining high standards of safety and environmental compliance. This is a critical position that requires robust leadership skills, a deep understanding of production processes, and a commitment to operational excellence. You will play a key role in maximizing hydrocarbon recovery, managing operational budgets, and implementing best practices across all production sites. The role involves close collaboration with exploration, engineering, and maintenance departments to ensure seamless operations. The company values safety, innovation, and sustainable growth within the Oil & Gas industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of daily production operations, ensuring targets are met safely and efficiently.
• Manage and develop production operations teams, fostering a culture of performance and safety.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to optimize production rates and minimize downtime.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Manage the production operations budget, controlling costs and identifying areas for efficiency improvements.
• Coordinate with maintenance teams to ensure the integrity and reliability of production equipment.
• Monitor production performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Liaise with other departments, including drilling, reservoir engineering, and commercial, to support overall business objectives.
• Lead incident investigations and implement lessons learned to prevent recurrence.
• Champion the adoption of new technologies and methodologies to enhance production efficiency.

Requirements

• BSc in Engineering (Petroleum, Mechanical, Chemical) or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in oil and gas production operations management.
• Proven experience in leading and managing large operational teams.
• Strong understanding of production equipment, processes, and optimization techniques.
• Demonstrated commitment to health, safety, and environmental (HSE) best practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Experience with production reporting and performance analysis tools.
• Familiarity with the regulatory landscape of the Oil & Gas industry in South Africa.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities.

Benefits

• Attractive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and pension fund.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Exposure to diverse and challenging production operations in the Oil & Gas sector.
• A dynamic work environment located in Durban.
• Relocation assistance may be provided for qualified candidates.