Operations Engineering Manager

About the role

The Operations Engineering Manager will lead the engineering function for a manufacturing operation in Cape Town. This role is accountable for delivering technology solutions, maintaining asset reliability, and ensuring facility compliance while fostering a high‑performance team.

Key responsibilities

• Own the performance of the engineering function, setting standards and creating an environment where teams can work autonomously.
• Identify and evaluate technology opportunities that address production constraints, quality risks, and cost drivers, maintaining a forward‑looking technology roadmap.
• Lead design, development, and validation of technology solutions from concept through specification, governing engineering reviews and approvals.
• Make build‑vs‑buy decisions, qualify vendors, and maintain a preferred supplier base for equipment and services.
• Oversee delivery of engineering capital projects, ensuring commissioning meets performance criteria and sustained operational results.
• Set maintenance strategy for production equipment, hold the Maintenance Manager accountable for compliance, and manage critical spares inventory.
• Maintain facility integrity, ensuring compliance with BRCGS, food safety, and statutory requirements, and manage a live improvement register.

Required profile

• Proven people‑leadership experience with a track record of building self‑directed engineering teams.
• Strong accountability for outcomes rather than activity supervision.
• Ability to create conditions that enable teams to deliver high‑quality work without micromanagement.
• Strategic mindset to align technology initiatives with operational goals.

Required skills