Operations Manager

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:
Job Purpose A telecommunication company is looking for an Operations Manager who holds overall management and oversight of field operations in the Western Cape, leading through the Project Managers who each head their own department (FTTH\/FTTX installation, splicing, maintenance, link build and civils). The role sets direction, standards and accountability across these departments, running systems and ensures every department delivers safely, on time, on budget and to operator and OEM standards while protecting the reputation with its operator partners.   Key Responsibility Areas Oversight & Management of Project Managers Provide direct oversight and management of the Project Managers, each of whom heads their own department, and hold them accountable for the performance of that department. Set clear objectives, standards and performance expectations for every department, and manage each Project Manager against them through structured reporting and one-on-one reviews. Ensure each department delivers its projects to agreed scope, programme, budget and quality, and that resources are planned and balanced across departments. Chair regular project and department review meetings; track milestones, resources, risks and dependencies, and enforce corrective action where any department drifts. Approve departmental plans, resource allocations and programme changes within delegated authority, and escalate material variances to the General Manager. Coach, develop and support Project Managers, building their capability to run their departments independently and consistently. Standardise how each department executes against SOPs and operator requirements so delivery is consistent and repeatable across the business. Own the end-to-end governance of departmental documentation, close-out packs and client sign-off. Field Operations & Delivery   Ensure coordinated planning, scheduling and dispatch of daily field work across all departments — FTTH\/FTTX installations, splicing, maintenance, link builds and civils. Ensure every job is executed to operator and OEM standards, first-time-right, and closed out with correct documentation and photographic evidence. Monitor live job and project progress across departments, resolve cross-department blockers, and escalate risks to the General Manager before they affect SLA. Drive productivity and workmanship quality through structured crew allocation and area coverage across serviceable zones. Team & Resource Management Lead and hold accountable the wider operational workforce Team Leaders, technicians and general workers across all departments and crews. Manage individual and team performance setting objectives, monitoring output, conducting reviews and driving improvement or corrective action. Manage rosters, leave, standby and overtime to maintain full daily coverage without over-spend. Identify skills gaps and coordinate on-the-job training, mentoring and toolbox talks. Handle first-line people matters, discipline, grievances and conduct — fairly and in line with company policy and the LRA. Enforce a culture of discipline, punctuality, accountability and respect on every site. Fleet, Tools & Asset Management Ensure the vehicle fleet is roadworthy, licensed, serviced, fuelled and correctly allocated to crews. Oversee monthly vehicle and tools checklists, compliance scoring and corrective action on shortfalls. Control the issue, tracking and return of tools, test equipment and consumables; minimise loss and shrinkage. Client & Operator Liaison Act as the operational point of contact for operator partners including VUMA, DFA, Octotel, Telkom and Vodacom. Manage work-order intake, prioritisation, progress feedback and job close-out against each client’s SLA. Resolve operational queries, escalations and quality disputes professionally and promptly. Compliance, Health & Safety and Quality Enforce full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, SOPs and client safety requirements. Ensure crews are equipped with valid PPE, permits, wayleaves and safe-work method statements before work commences. Conduct site inspections and quality audits; drive down rework, defects and safety incidents. Reporting, Administration & Cost Control Produce accurate daily, weekly and monthly operational reports on production, SLA, quality and fleet. Maintain up-to-date operational registers, trackers and dashboards in line with the company’s documentation standards. Control operational costs — labour, fleet, fuel and materials — against budget and flag variances. Support invoicing by ensuring completed work is accurately captured and evidenced for billing. Minimum Qualifications & Experience Education: Matric (Grade 12). A relevant Diploma or qualification in Telecommunications, Project Management, Operations or Engineering is advantageous. Experience: Minimum 5 years in fibre \/ telecommunications field operations, with at least 2–3 years in a supervisory or management role running multiple crews. Technical: Sound working knowledge of FTTH\/FTTX installation, splicing, OTDR\/light-level testing, link builds and civils. Operators: Practical exposure to operator environments and standards (VUMA, DFA, Octotel, Telkom, Vodacom) strongly preferred. Licence: Valid Code B (08) driver’s licence; own reliable transport advantageous. Systems: Competent in Microsoft Excel, Word and general reporting tools; comfortable working with dashboards and trackers.