Senior Operations Manager (Remote-First)

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

PTO and holidays

Home office stipend

Flexible working hours

Remote-first culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to lead distributed remote operations across South Africa. The role focuses on strategy, process optimization, and building a strong remote culture to scale the business efficiently.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in operations, strong financial acumen, and a proven ability to align cross-functional teams with company goals. This remote-first role offers flexible hours and a home office stipend.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field.
• 8+ years progressive experience in operations management, with leadership.
• Proven remote/distributed team management experience.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and process-improvement capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement operational strategies to support business objectives with remote enablement.
• Oversee daily operations including process optimization and resource allocation.
• Lead and mentor a remote team to foster collaboration and high performance.
• Set KPIs to track efficiency and identify improvement areas.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and financial performance of operations.
• Refine policies for compliance and best practices in a remote setting.
• Drive continuous improvement through data analysis and feedback.
• Collaborate with engineering, product, and sales to align plans with goals.
• Manage vendor relationships and third-party partnerships to meet SLAs.

Skills

Remote leadership

Strategic planning

Lean Six Sigma

Budgeting

P&L management

Project management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Master's degree (plus)

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing technology firm specializing in innovative software solutions, is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Operations Manager to lead their expanding remote operations. This is a pivotal role within the organization, designed for a visionary leader who can drive efficiency, foster a strong remote culture, and ensure seamless execution across all operational facets. As a fully remote-first position, you will have the autonomy to manage your workflow and contribute significantly to our client's success from anywhere within South Africa. We are looking for an individual with a proven track record in operational excellence and a deep understanding of managing distributed teams. The ideal candidate will be adept at leveraging technology to optimize processes and enhance team collaboration in a virtual environment. Your insights and leadership will be instrumental in scaling our client's operations and maintaining their competitive edge in the fast-paced tech industry. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the operational future of a dynamic company.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive operational strategies to support business objectives, with a strong focus on remote team enablement.
• Oversee daily operations, including process optimization, resource allocation, and performance monitoring across various departments.
• Lead and mentor a diverse team of remote professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track operational efficiency and identify areas for improvement.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and financial performance related to operational activities.
• Implement and refine operational policies and procedures to ensure compliance and best practices, particularly within a remote setting.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives through data analysis and feedback mechanisms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product, and sales, to align operational plans with company-wide goals.
• Manage vendor relationships and third-party partnerships to ensure service level agreements are met.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field; a Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in operations management, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role.
• Demonstrated success in managing and leading remote or distributed teams.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic operational plans.
• Strong understanding of operational best practices and process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
• Excellent financial acumen, including budgeting and P&L management experience.
• Proficiency in project management tools and collaboration software.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities.
• Experience in the technology or software industry is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of ZAR.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and public holiday allowance.
• Opportunities for professional development and continued learning.
• Flexible working hours within a remote-first framework.
• Company-provided home office setup stipend.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and tools.
• A dynamic and supportive work culture that values employee well-being.