De
An experienced and results-driven National Operations Manager is wanted for a permanent senior management role with a well-established manufacturing business, advertised through West Coast Personnel. The successful candidate will oversee four manufacturing facilities across South Africa, ensuring operational excellence, production efficiency, cost optimisation and profitability.
About the company and the work
The position is advertised through West Coast Personnel, a recruitment specialist placing permanent, temporary and contract staff. The role is based in Wellington, in the Cape Winelands, and carries national responsibility for four manufacturing facilities. It calls for a strategic leader with extensive manufacturing experience, proven multi-site operational management ability and strong commercial acumen. The advert offers a competitive salary package plus benefits, with no figure stated.
Role details and duties
- Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across four manufacturing facilities.
- Lead, mentor and manage a team of Operations Managers to achieve operational objectives.
- Drive operational excellence, productivity and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure optimal production output and consistent product quality standards.
- Oversee production planning and supply to meet customer requirements.
- Optimise plant machinery, equipment performance and operational efficiencies.
- Manage operational budgets, distribution costs, profitability and financial performance.
- Oversee raw material, finished goods and packaging stock management.
- Manage suppliers, service providers and service level agreements.
- Oversee capital expenditure budgets, projects and plant improvements.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality legislation.
- Implement strategies to improve operational performance, reduce costs and maximise profitability.
The role is permanent and involves travelling nationally between operational facilities.
Requirements
- A relevant 3-year tertiary qualification in Engineering, Operations Management, Agriculture or a related field.
- 8 to 12 years of experience within a manufacturing environment, preferably animal feed manufacturing or a related industry.
- Proven experience managing multi-site manufacturing operations, which is essential.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage operational management teams.
- Strong financial and commercial expertise, including budgeting, cost control and profitability management.
- Sound understanding of manufacturing processes, plant performance and operational efficiency.
- Experience implementing continuous improvement and productivity initiatives.
- Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving and relationship-building skills.
- Highly motivated, proactive and capable of working independently.
- Willingness to travel nationally between operational facilities.
Where to find and apply safely
This opportunity is listed on Careers24, and the Apply button on this page links to the original listing. Apply only through that listing, and be cautious of anyone who asks for payment in exchange for a job. The source listing states that applications close on 27 November 2026. Please note: the listing location is given as Cape Winelands, while the advert text places the role in Wellington, and the salary is described only as a competitive package plus benefits, so confirm the exact base and package in the original advert before applying.
Practical tips
- Lead with your multi-site manufacturing leadership experience and the scale of the operations you have run.
- Show measurable results in production output, quality, cost reduction and profitability.
- Highlight budgeting, supplier and service level agreement management, and capital projects you have overseen.
- Mention any animal feed manufacturing experience and your willingness to travel nationally.
How the process works
Use the Apply button to reach the original Careers24 listing and follow its application instructions. West Coast Personnel is advertising the role on behalf of the employer, so expect the agency to screen applications before passing suitable candidates to the client.
Important information
This page is informational only. It summarises a third-party job advert and does not guarantee employment. Details, including the closing date, may change, so always confirm them in the original advert before applying.
#SouthAfricaJobs #JobsInSouthAfrica #OperationsManagerJobs #CapeWinelandsJobs #WellingtonJobs #ManufacturingJobs #WesternCapeJobs #ManagementJobs