National Operations Manager for Multi-Site Manufacturing
West Coast Personnel · Wellington, Western Cape
Overview
A well-established manufacturing business is looking for an experienced National Operations Manager to oversee four feed manufacturing facilities across South Africa. This senior role suits a strategic leader with strong multi-site manufacturing experience who can drive operational excellence, productivity and profitability. Based in Wellington, Western Cape, with national travel.
About the role
This is a senior management opportunity with a well-established manufacturing business in the animal feed industry. As National Operations Manager, you will provide strategic leadership across four feed manufacturing facilities in South Africa, ensuring operational excellence, production efficiency, cost optimisation and profitability.
You will lead and mentor a team of Operations Managers, drive continuous improvement, oversee production planning and supply, manage budgets and distribution costs, and ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality legislation. The role also involves managing suppliers, service providers, stock management and capital expenditure projects.
The position is based in Wellington, Western Cape, and requires willingness to travel nationally between operational facilities.
Requirements
- Relevant 3-year tertiary qualification in Engineering, Operations Management, Agriculture or a related field
- 8 to 12 years of experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably animal feed manufacturing or a related industry
- Proven experience managing multi-site manufacturing operations (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
Responsibilities
- 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
Benefits
Competitive salary package, benefits
Job details
- Organisation
- West Coast Personnel
- Location
- Wellington, Western Cape
- Job type
- Full time
- Experience level
- Senior (8+ years)
- Education
- Bachelor
- Category
- Manufacturing & Production
- Application Method
- Apply manually
Success Guide
This is a senior role leading multiple manufacturing sites, so your application should highlight hands-on experience managing multi-site operations, not just single-factory supervision. Emphasise your financial and commercial acumen alongside operational achievements, since the role requires budget ownership and profitability management. If you have worked in animal feed, agriculture or food manufacturing, make that clear early on. Also show that you are comfortable with national travel and leading diverse teams across locations. Use concrete examples of how you improved efficiency, reduced costs or implemented continuous improvement initiatives. Remember to attach your CV and relevant qualifications, and tailor your cover letter to the manufacturing context of this role. Good luck!
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