Senior Operations Manager - Energy Infrastructure

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Incentive plan

Hybrid work model

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings plan with company 2

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to oversee critical energy infrastructure in Vereeniging. The role is hybrid, with regular in-office days in Vereeniging and some remote flexibility.

You will lead day-to-day operations, ensure safety, reliability, and efficiency, and drive continuous improvement across generation and distribution assets. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in Engineering and at least 6 years of operations leadership in energy or heavy industry, strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• 6+ years of progressive operations management experience in energy/heavy industry.
• Demonstrated leadership of operational teams.
• Strong knowledge of energy infrastructure operations, safety and regulatory requirements.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and drive efficiency.
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making and crisis management skills.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Must be able to commute to Vereeniging for in-office days.

Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize daily operations of energy facilities.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve efficiency and reliability.
• Oversee maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs of critical infrastructure.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the operations team with a safety-first culture.
• Manage budgets and resource allocation for the operations department.
• Collaborate with engineering, project management, and other departments on upgrades.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

HSE knowledge

Budget management

Problem solving

Crisis management

Communication skills

Operational software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical)

Tools

ERP/SCADA systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key player in the Energy sector, is seeking an experienced Senior Operations Manager to oversee critical energy infrastructure operations in Vereeniging . This role operates on a Hybrid model, requiring regular presence in the Vereeniging office while allowing for some remote work flexibility. You will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations, ensuring the safety, efficiency, and reliability of our energy facilities. This leadership position demands strong operational expertise, excellent team management skills, and a comprehensive understanding of safety protocols and regulatory compliance within the energy industry. You will lead a dedicated team focused on maintaining high operational standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize the daily operations of energy generation or distribution facilities.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve reliability.
• Oversee maintenance schedules, troubleshooting, and repair activities for critical infrastructure.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of operations personnel, fostering a culture of safety and performance.
• Manage budgets and resource allocation for the operations department.
• Collaborate with engineering, project management, and other departments to support plant upgrades and new projects.
• Monitor operational performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Respond to and manage operational emergencies effectively.
• Ensure effective communication and reporting to senior management regarding operational status and performance.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical), Operations Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in operations management, preferably within the energy or heavy industrial sector.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing operational teams.
• In-depth knowledge of power generation, distribution, or related energy infrastructure operations.
• Strong understanding of health, safety, and environmental (HSE) regulations and best practices.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, control costs, and improve operational efficiency.
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and crisis management skills.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in relevant operational software and systems.
• Must be able to commute to Vereeniging for required in-office days.

Benefits

• This hybrid role offers a competitive salary and performance-based incentive plan.
• Opportunity to lead operations at significant energy facilities.
• Our client provides a supportive work environment with opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• Benefit from a structured hybrid work model balancing office collaboration and remote flexibility.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with company contributions.
• Contribute to the stability and growth of the energy sector in Vereeniging .