Senior Operations Manager – Manufacturing (Durban)

About the role

Our client is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to lead bulk manufacturing, maintenance and facilities functions. The role is newly created and focuses on driving plant reliability, operational efficiency and continuous improvement across a high‑volume manufacturing site.

Key responsibilities

• Lead bulk manufacturing operations to ensure reliable supply to filling lines.
• Improve maintenance performance by reducing MTTR and increasing MTBF for all plant assets.
• Boost Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) through reliability and process optimisation initiatives.
• Oversee facilities and infrastructure management for the main site and tenant operations.
• Manage maintenance budgets, preventative maintenance programmes and asset lifecycle planning.
• Control maintenance stores and spare‑parts inventory.
• Integrate SCADA and IoT technologies into operational decision‑making.
• Drive cost optimisation across labour, overtime, utilities and maintenance spend.
• Develop and lead high‑performing teams in maintenance, bulk production and facilities.
• Champion sustainability initiatives aligned with green‑factory goals.
• Collaborate with operations leadership to align manufacturing, maintenance, warehousing and supply‑chain functions.
• Lead digital transformation and continuous‑improvement projects.

Required profile

• Degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Proven senior leadership experience in manufacturing operations and/or maintenance management.
• Strong expertise in plant reliability, preventative maintenance and asset management.
• Demonstrated success improving KPIs such as OEE, productivity and cost control.

Required skills

• SCADA
• IoT
• Asset Management
• Preventive Maintenance
• Reliability Engineering