Chief Operating Officer - Gauteng, Johannesburg

Chief Operating Officer - Gauteng, Johannesburg

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will oversee and optimise the operational activities of Company's three South African operating divisions. The COO will manage the SHEQ department and Industrial Relations, ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and a strong organisational culture. Reporting directly to the CEO, the COO will play a critical role in driving growth and efficiency within the company.

Primary Duties

Duties & responsibilities

Production Management:

• Oversee and optimise operations across divisions.
• Coordinate with Divisional General managers to monitor schedules, resource allocation, and project timelines.
• Develop and implement production management strategies to maximise efficiency and minimise downtime.

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

• Implement quality control measures for production activities to meet or exceed industry standards and customer expectations.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry codes, and customer specifications in all operational processes.
• Ensure rigorous quality assurance and compliance with regulatory standards.

Industrial Relations:

• Lead Industrial Relations to foster a positive and productive workplace culture.

Supply Chain and Cost Management:

• Manage the supply chain function, including procurement, inventory management, and supplier relationships, to optimise costs and minimise lead times.
• Engage with Chief Engineer on Global supply chain optimisation.
• Implement cost-saving initiatives, process improvements, and value engineering strategies to enhance operational efficiency and reduce expenses.

Facilities and Equipment Maintenance:

• Ensure proper maintenance and upkeep of manufacturing facilities, equipment, and machinery to minimise downtime and maintenance costs.
• Coordinate with maintenance teams to schedule preventive maintenance activities and address equipment breakdowns or failures promptly.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Management:

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations and standards in all operational activities.
• Implement safety protocols, provide training, and conduct regular audits to maintain a safe and sustainable working environment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational performance.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with other departments, including sales, marketing, finance, and human resources, to achieve company goals and objectives.
• Ensure effective communication, coordination, and alignment between operational and engineering teams to support seamless operations and project execution.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

• Monitor quantitative and qualitative key performance indicators (KPIs) at a Divisional level and identify areas for improvement.
• Prepare regular reports, presentations, and analyses for senior management to communicate challenges and recommendations for optimisation.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks to minimise disruptions and ensure business continuity.

Employee Development

• Facilitate training and development opportunities for operational staff.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Engineering Degree (Industrial or Mechanical).
• Post Graduate studies in Business Management (e.g., MBA or equivalent).
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in operations management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in production management, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, and environmental management practices.
• Experience with MRP systems and other relevant technologies.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong leadership skills with a collaborative and compassionate approach.
• Excellent project management and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in MRP systems and other operational tools.
• Ability to drive innovation and implement new processes and technologies.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Building a strong organisational culture and providing a platform for growth.
• Leading a consolidation exercise to streamline operational functions and enhance efficiency.
• Highly developed cultural and emotional quotient.
• Firm and fair approach to management, fostering a calm and thoughtful work environment.
• Adaptive to multi-cultural staff complement from all sectors of society.

Desired Skills:

• Production management.
• Supply chain management.
• MRP Systems.
• Quality Assurance and compliance.
• Operational Planning.

Desired Work Experience:

• More than 10 years in Mechanical Engineering.
• 2 to 5 years in Executive Management / Director roles.