Reserve Maintenance Ops Manager

Bright Placements; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Live-in accommodation provided

5% Provident Fund contribution

Medical Aid contribution 50%

Job summary

Bright Placements is seeking a dynamic Reserve Maintenance Ops Manager to lead the entire maintenance staff for a lodge on a game reserve in South Africa. You will ensure efficient daily operations, maintain infrastructure, and take full accountability for asset care.

You will plan maintenance schedules, mentor the team, manage budgets and suppliers, and uphold safety standards. After-hours emergencies may be required. Live-in accommodation is provided.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ managerial or assistant managerial experience within a maintenance department on a game reserve or large-scale farming operation.
• Valid RSA Driver’s Licence (Minimum Code 8) and a valid RSA ID.
• Formal education, training, or certifications in electrical systems, plumbing, or boiler making and electrical fencing will be highly advantageous.
• Clear, contactable professional references.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance schedules to optimize reserve productivity.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the entire maintenance team with a strong focus on timekeeping and workspace discipline.
• Manage designated operational budgets, source suppliers, oversee orders, and coordinate deliveries.
• Maintain a safe, tidy, hazard-free work environment in line with health and safety protocols.
• Respond to unforeseen reserve scenarios and infrastructure failures, including after-hours emergencies when required.
• Compile administrative reports and perform duties as requested by the Reserve Manager.

Skills

Fluent English

Self-starter

Proactive

Problem-solving

Leadership

Education

RSA Driver’s Licence (Code 8)

Level 3 First Aid Certificate

Firefighting training

Health and Safety training

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Job description

Company background

The lodge is a well-established, fast-growing group of companies committed to an equal opportunity employment policy. We are seeking a dynamic, passionate, and highly motivated Reserve Maintenance Ops Manager to join our professional management team.

Position overview

• Role Summary: Working closely with the Reserve Manager and alternative departmental divisions, the successful candidate will lead the entire maintenance staff compliment. This role demands an individual who ensures smooth, efficient daily operations, maintains an organised workspace, and takes full accountability for all facets of reserve infrastructure and asset care.

Key duties & responsibilities

• Operational Planning: Plan, coordinate, and execute weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance schedules to optimize reserve productivity.
• Staff Leadership: Manage, mentor, and lead the entire maintenance team, setting a high standard for timekeeping, workspace organisation, and professional workplace conduct.
• Financial Control: Manage designated operational budgets, source suppliers, oversee orders, and coordinate incoming deliveries.
• Safety & Standards: Maintain a safe, tidy, and hazard-free work environment in line with health and safety protocols.
• Emergency Response: Act with urgency to resolve unforeseen reserve scenarios and infrastructure failures, including attending to after-hours emergencies when required.
• General Administration: Efficiently compile administrative reports and fulfil any other duties relevant to the post as requested by the Reserve Manager.

Key competencies & personal attributes

• Fluent in English (written and verbal communication).
• A self-starter and proactive "go-getter" who demonstrates strong initiative.
• Proven problem-solving ability with the capacity to work effectively under pressure.
• Exceptional leadership skills with a hands-on approach to team task management.

Minimum qualifications & education

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years’ managerial or assistant managerial experience within a maintenance department on a game reserve or large-scale farming operation.
• Licence & Identification: Valid South African (RSA) Driver’s Licence (Minimum Code 8) and a valid RSA ID.
• Certifications: Valid Level 3 First Aid Certificate, formal firefighting training, and formal Health and Safety training.
• Technical Qualifications: Formal education, training, or certifications in electrical systems, plumbing, or boiler making and electrical fencing will be highly advantageous.
• References: Clear, contactable professional references.

Technical requirements & knowledge areas

• Infrastructure & Security: Comprehensive knowledge of road maintenance, reserve infrastructure, and electrical fencing.
• Utilities & Water Systems: Strong working knowledge of general electrical systems, water provision, reticulation networks, and specific mechanics regarding water pumps, motors, and boreholes.
• Mechanical & Assets: Structural proficiency in boiler making, basic vehicle mechanics, and fleet management.
• Tools & Machinery: Operational expertise and safety management regarding power tools (including chainsaws, brushcutters, and jackhammers).
• Compliance & Admin: General computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook), strong report-writing skills, and a fundamental understanding of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA).

Remuneration & benefits offered

• Salary: Market-related salary, negotiable within reason and dependent on experience and qualifications.
• Accommodation: Live-in accommodation provided.
• Provident Fund: 5% Provident Fund contribution (compulsory membership, forms part of the Cost to Company package).
• Medical Aid: 50% Medical Aid contribution for the individual only, restricted to the Classic Saver or below option on Discovery Health (voluntary membership, forms part of the CTC package).