Operations Director

Johannesburg, South AfricaFull-timeExecutiveOn-sitePosted 2 Oct 2026

Job Overview

Boardroom Appointments is seeking an Operations Director in Sandton, Johannesburg for a complex multi-site manufacturing environment. This executive role provides strategic leadership across manufacturing, engineering, quality, SHEQ, assets, technology, and capital investment—leading through General Managers for consistent network performance.

You will own the Operations strategy and Operations Management System (OMS), embed Lean and continuous improvement, drive OEE/yield/quality/cost outcomes, set engineering and asset-reliability strategy, govern major capital projects, and build succession depth across Operations leadership.

Ideal for manufacturing executives with multi-site GM leadership, Lean/OMS maturity, and capital-project governance. Process manufacturing, FMCG/packaging, and Mill & Converting experience highly advantageous.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Operations strategy aligned to business objectives

• Lead multiple manufacturing sites on capacity, capability, and production alignment

• Drive productivity, throughput, yield, OEE, quality, waste, reliability, and manufacturing cost

• Own and strengthen the Operations Management System (OMS) as the standard way of working

• Embed Lean Manufacturing and continuous-improvement principles network-wide

• Standardise processes, operating practices, measures, and problem-solving across sites

• Oversee quality strategy/governance; reduce defects, rework, NCs, and complaints

• Set long-term engineering, asset reliability, maintenance, and technology strategy

• Develop and govern the Operations capital plan and major projects

• Hold GMs accountable for site budgets; lead SHEQ performance and risk management

• Lead and develop General Managers and Operations leadership; drive organisational change

Required Qualifications

• Relevant Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related discipline

• Significant senior leadership in a complex manufacturing environment

• Proven multi-site or large operational business-unit leadership

• Experience leading General Managers or senior operational leaders

• Strong manufacturing economics, engineering, asset management, and quality fluency

• Proven manufacturing-strategy development and Lean Manufacturing application

• Experience implementing/sustaining an OMS or equivalent excellence system

• Significant capital investment and project governance experience

• Track record improving manufacturing performance, productivity, quality, and cost

• Advantageous: process/high-volume manufacturing; FMCG/packaging; Mill & Converting; postgraduate business qualification

Skills & Requirements

Operations StrategyMulti-site ManufacturingLean ManufacturingOMSOEEQuality ManagementSHEQ LeadershipAsset ReliabilityCapital Project GovernanceContinuous ImprovementChange ManagementFinancial AcumenLeadership DevelopmentStakeholder Management