Senior Operations Manager - Solar Farm Operations

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Sur place; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 800 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement planning

Generous paid time off

Professional certifications

Résumé du poste

Placements24 in Bloemfontein is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to oversee the efficient and safe operation of large-scale solar farm facilities. You will lead a team of technicians and engineers, drive reliability, and maximize energy output.

The role requires strong leadership, a technical engineering background, and experience in safety, environmental standards, and budget management to ensure continuous renewable energy supply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical) or related technical field.
• 7+ years in operations and maintenance with at least 3 years in management in solar or utility-scale power.
• Strong understanding of PV technology, inverter systems, SCADA, and grid connection.
• Experience managing maintenance teams, contractor oversight, and budgets.
• Excellent leadership, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
• Familiarity with NERC/NERC-CIP compliance and grid operator requirements is a plus.

Responsabilités

• Direct and manage daily operations and maintenance of utility-scale solar power plants.
• Develop strategies to optimize plant performance, energy yield, and operational efficiency.
• Oversee maintenance schedules, troubleshooting activities, and corrective actions to minimize downtime.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage operational budgets, inventory, and procurement of spare parts and services.
• Lead, train, and develop the operations and maintenance team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Connaissances

Leadership

Project management

Budget management

PV technology

SCADA systems

Grid connection

Team management

Contractor oversight

Decision making

Formation

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical) or related technical field

Description du poste

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Operations Manager to oversee the efficient and safe operation of their large-scale solar farm facilities in the Bloemfontein region. This leadership role is responsible for maximizing energy output, ensuring plant reliability, and managing all aspects of day-to-day operations, maintenance, and performance monitoring. You will lead a team of technicians and engineers, driving operational excellence and adhering to stringent safety and environmental standards. This position is crucial for maintaining consistent energy supply from renewable sources.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct and manage the daily operations and maintenance of utility-scale solar power plants.
• Develop and implement strategies to optimize plant performance, energy yield, and operational efficiency.
• Oversee maintenance schedules, troubleshooting activities, and corrective actions to minimize downtime.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage operational budgets, inventory, and procurement of spare parts and services.
• Lead, train, and develop the operations and maintenance team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical) or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in operations and maintenance, with at least 3 years in a management role within the solar energy sector or a related utility-scale power generation environment.
• Strong understanding of photovoltaic (PV) technology, inverter systems, SCADA systems, and grid connection requirements.
• Proven experience in managing maintenance teams, contractor oversight, and budget management.
• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Familiarity with NERC/NERC-CIP compliance and grid operator requirements is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based annual bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement planning.
• Generous paid time off and opportunities for professional certifications.
• Direct impact on the reliability and growth of renewable energy infrastructure.
• A dynamic and stable working environment within a key player in the energy industry.