Operation Manager jobs in South Africa

Job Title: Expansion & Operation Manager

Location: Remote

Working Hours:8AM- 5PM SAST (South African Standard Time)

Job Type:Full-time

Company Overview:

This company is an education technology platform focused on transforming how students learn through the power of AI. It offers personalized, gamified learning experiences designed to boost engagement, retention, and academic performance. By combining adaptive learning paths with interactive tools, the company aims to make education more effective, enjoyable, and tailored to each learner’s needs.

Job Overview:

They are seeking a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and results-driven Expansion & Operation Manager to pioneer their entry and growth in the South African market. This is a foundational leadership role for an individual who thrives on building businesses from the ground up. The Expansion & Operation Manager will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of their South African operations, from developing the initial market entry strategy and navigating the regulatory landscape to establishing a physical presence, hiring team, and scaling day-to-day operations. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with exceptional business acumen and a profound understanding of the local market.

Key Responsibilities:

Market Expansion & Strategy:

• Market Analysis & Strategy: Conduct in-depth market research to develop and execute a comprehensive go-to-market strategy for South Africa. Identify key target segments, competitive advantages, and growth opportunities.
• Business Development & Partnerships: Build and nurture a network of local strategic partners, suppliers, and key stakeholders to accelerate market penetration and support operational needs.
• Regulatory & Legal Compliance: Lead the process of establishing the company's legal entity in South Africa. Ensure full compliance with all local regulations, including company registration (CIPC), tax obligations (SARS), industry-specific licensing, and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) requirements.

• Launch Project Management: Oversee the entire launch process, including sourcing and setting up an office space in Cape Town, establishing relationships with local vendors, and managing the initial setup budget and timeline.

Operations & Team Leadership:

• Day-to-Day Operations: Once established, assume full ownership of the day-to-day operations, ensuring seamless execution, efficiency, and high-quality service delivery.
• P&L and Budget Management: Hold full responsibility for the South African P&L, including developing annual budgets, managing expenses, and driving profitability.
• Team Building & Leadership: Recruit, train, and lead the local team. Foster a high-performance culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Process Optimization: Design and implement scalable operational processes and workflows tailored to the local market. Monitor performance using key metrics and drive initiatives for operational excellence.
• Stakeholder Reporting: Provide regular, clear reports to global headquarters on business performance, market developments, and strategic initiatives in South Africa.

• Experience: A minimum of 8-10 years of experience in a senior role with a focus on operations management, general management, or business expansion. Demonstrable experience in launching or scaling a new business unit, market, or major project is essential.
• Local Market Expertise: Deep, intrinsic understanding of the South African business environment, including cultural nuances, consumer behavior, and economic trends.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Proven experience navigating South African regulatory frameworks, including company law, labour laws, and B-BBEE principles.
• Financial Acumen: Strong P&L management and budgeting skills are mandatory.
• Leadership Skills: A natural leader with the ability to inspire and motivate a team, set a clear vision, and lead by example.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: A proactive, self-starting mindset with the ability to operate independently, make critical decisions, and thrive in an unstructured, fast-paced environment.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills (both written and verbal) in English. Proficiency in other official South African languages is an advantage.
• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Commerce, Economics, or a related field. An MBA or other relevant postgraduate degree is highly advantageous.