Head of Operations

SUMMARY:
As Head of Operations, you will be required to provide strategic and operational leadership for Functional Outsourcing and Temporary Employment Services.

POSITION INFO:

Organisation Overview:

The company provides warehouse management and outsourced staffing solutions to clients across diverse industries. The warehouse offering includes stock management, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation through proprietary systems. The staffing division delivers comprehensive HR, IR, and payroll services by managing both large and small workforce pools for a variety of client operations.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategic Development & Execution

• Lead the development and execution of divisional strategies aligned with the company’s overall business objectives.
• Identify market opportunities and support business development through operational planning and execution.
• Contribute to transformation and digital enablement initiatives that enhance agility and competitiveness.

Financial Performance Management

• Take accountability for divisional financial performance including budget planning, profitability, and cost control.
• Work with Finance to track revenue, margin, and cost indicators.
• Evaluate operational initiatives for ROI and adjust priorities accordingly.

Service Delivery and Client Retention

• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality staffing and outsourcing services.
• Maintain and grow client relationships through proactive engagement and performance reviews.
• Ensure SLA and KPI compliance across all contracts.

Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Standardise and improve operational processes for scalability and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with BCEA, LRA, OHSA and company policies.
• Drive innovation and implement technology solutions to improve service outcomes.

Workforce Planning & Talent Management

• Partner with HR to ensure teams are aligned to succession and performance frameworks.
• Develop a high-performance culture with strong accountability and recognition mechanisms.

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead and mentor regional and site managers across TES and FO.
• Act as the key interface between operations and support functions (Sales, HR, Finance, Compliance).
• Present regular updates to executive leadership on operational performance, risks and strategic priorities.

Data-Driven Reporting & Insights

• Use dashboards and analytics to monitor trends and improve operations.
• Deliver regular reports on financial and operational indicators.

Minimum Requirements

A recognised bachelor’s degree in operations management, Logistics, or a related field.
A postgraduate qualification will be advantageous.
Minimum 10 years of operational management experience, with at least 5 years in senior leadership.
Proven experience in the TES and Functional Outsourcing sectors.
Strong financial acumen and leadership across multi-site operations.


Knowledge Attributes and Skills

• In-depth understanding of TES, warehousing and outsourcing sectors.
• Comprehensive knowledge of South African labour legislation and compliance standards.
• Knowledge of operational systems, workforce management tools, and process improvement methodologies.
• Commercial acumen in managing operational profitability.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities, with experience in managing diverse teams.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• High proficiency in operational data analysis and reporting.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills at all levels.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver in high-pressure environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant operations software.