Operations Director | Johannesburg| Permanent
A senior manufacturing leadership opportunity for an accomplished Operations executive ready to shape strategy, performance and long-term competitiveness across a complex multi-site manufacturing network.
This role offers the opportunity to lead the operational agenda across three manufacturing sites, with accountability spanning manufacturing performance, engineering, quality, SHEQ, capital investment, operational excellence and organisational capability. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the manufacturing footprint, assets, people, technology and operating model are positioned to support both current and future business requirements.
At the centre of the role is ownership of the Operations Management System, which serves as the backbone of the manufacturing business. The Operations Director will ensure that OMS is embedded as the standard way of managing performance across the network, supported by Lean principles, disciplined problem-solving, standardisation and continuous improvement.
The role provides strategic leadership across Mill and Converting operations, recognising their different operating requirements while ensuring they function as an integrated manufacturing value chain. The successful executive will lead through General Managers, providing clear direction and governance while maintaining accountability for site-level performance.
The client is an established manufacturing business with a significant multi-site operational footprint and a strong focus on manufacturing competitiveness, operational excellence and sustainable performance. The organisation is focused on strengthening its manufacturing capability, developing its leadership pipeline and ensuring that its operations are equipped to meet evolving customer and business requirements.
What You'll Do
Develop and execute the Operations strategy in support of the broader business strategy.
Develop the long-term manufacturing footprint, capacity and capability plan.
Provide strategic leadership across the Mill and Converting operations.
Ensure the manufacturing network is positioned to meet future customer and business requirements.
Drive improvements in throughput, efficiency, yield, productivity, OEE, waste, quality and manufacturing cost.
Ensure Mill and Converting operations function as an integrated manufacturing value chain.
Optimise manufacturing capacity and capability across sites.
Own and continuously strengthen the Operations Management System across the manufacturing business.
Establish clear OMS standards, management routines, performance measures and problem-solving disciplines.
Embed Lean principles into everyday operational leadership.
Sponsor major cross-site continuous improvement initiatives.
Ensure quality is built into manufacturing processes and owned by Operations.
Drive reductions in defects, rejects, rework, non-conformances and customer complaints.
Set the long-term engineering, asset reliability and technology strategy.
Identify opportunities for automation and technology to improve manufacturing performance.
Develop and prioritise the Operations capital plan.
Provide governance over major capital projects and ensure delivery of agreed benefits.
Take overall accountability for Operations financial performance and manufacturing cost competitiveness.
Establish governance around SHE performance and significant operational, safety and environmental risks.
Lead and develop General Managers and the broader Operations leadership team.
Build succession and future capability across critical operational and technical roles.
Lead significant operational and organisational change.
What You Bring
A relevant degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or a related discipline.
Significant senior leadership experience within a complex manufacturing environment.
Experience leading multiple manufacturing sites or large operational business units.
Proven experience leading General Managers or senior operational leaders.
Strong understanding of manufacturing economics, engineering, asset management and quality.
Demonstrated experience developing and executing manufacturing strategy.
Strong practical knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles.
Experience implementing and sustaining an Operations Management System or equivalent manufacturing excellence system.
Significant capital investment and project governance experience.
A proven track record of improving manufacturing performance, productivity, quality and cost.
Experience in process manufacturing and/or high-volume converting environments will be advantageous.
FMCG, tissue, paper or packaging experience will be advantageous.
A postgraduate business or management qualification will be advantageous.
What Success Looks Like
The Operations strategy is effectively translated into measurable operational outcomes.
OMS is consistently embedded and sustained across all manufacturing sites.
Mill and Converting performance improves while their different operational drivers remain appropriately managed.
Manufacturing productivity, quality, reliability, yield and cost competitiveness improve sustainably.
Safety and environmental performance remain central to operational decision-making.
Capital projects are delivered against agreed scope, cost and timelines, with expected returns realised.
Lean and continuous improvement become embedded in everyday operational management.
General Managers are empowered while remaining clearly accountable for site performance.
Manufacturing capacity and capability are aligned with future business requirements.
A stronger, more capable and sustainable Operations leadership pipeline is developed.
