Senior Solar Farm Operations Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa is seeking a Senior Solar Farm Operations Manager to oversee a growing portfolio of solar facilities around Pretoria. The role focuses on maximizing energy production, reliability and safety across large-scale assets, with leadership of a cross-disciplinary team.

You will drive maintenance programs, optimize performance through data analytics and SCADA, manage contractors, and report on budgets and KPIs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• 6+ years of operations and maintenance experience on utility-scale solar plants.
• Experience leading operations teams and supervising technical staff.
• Strong PV, inverters, and balance-of-plant knowledge.
• Proficiency with PV monitoring and control (SCADA).

Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day operations of multiple large-scale solar farms.
• Develop and implement strategies to maximize production and minimize downtime.
• Oversee preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance.
• Lead site technicians, engineers, and staff.
• Monitor performance via SCADA and data analytics.
• Prepare operational reports, performance analyses, and budget forecasts.
• Ensure health, safety, and environmental compliance.
• Manage relationships with contractors and service providers.

Skills

PV technology

SCADA

Leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Education

BEng/BTech in Electrical/Mechanical

Tools

SCADA software

PV monitoring tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding entity within the Energy sector, is searching for a dedicated Senior Solar Farm Operations Manager to oversee their extensive portfolio of solar facilities in and around Pretoria, Gauteng . This role is paramount to ensuring the optimal performance, reliability, and safety of our client's solar power assets. The ideal candidate will bring a wealth of experience in operational management, performance optimization, and team leadership within large-scale solar power generation. This position demands a proactive approach to identifying and resolving operational issues, implementing best practices, and driving continuous improvement. We are seeking a highly skilled professional committed to maximizing energy output and asset longevity, contributing to South Africa's renewable energy goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct and manage the day-to-day operations of multiple large-scale solar farms.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to maximize energy production and minimize downtime.
• Oversee maintenance schedules, including preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance activities.
• Manage a team of site technicians, engineers, and support staff, providing leadership and guidance.
• Monitor system performance using SCADA and other monitoring platforms, analyzing data to identify trends and potential issues.
• Ensure strict adherence to all health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Manage relationships with third-party contractors and service providers.
• Prepare operational reports, performance analyses, and budget forecasts.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in operations and maintenance of utility-scale solar power plants.
• Demonstrated experience in managing operations teams and supervising technical staff.
• Strong understanding of photovoltaic (PV) technology, inverters, and balance of plant components.
• Proficiency in solar monitoring and control systems (SCADA).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage diverse teams effectively.
• Experience working in the Pretoria, Gauteng region or managing geographically dispersed assets is highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and a robust retirement savings plan. Opportunities for professional development are extensive, including access to advanced training, industry certifications, and leadership development programs. This role is primarily remote, allowing for flexibility while maintaining oversight of operations across the region.