Operations Manager at Buckman

Job description

An Operations Manager position has become available at Buckman Laboratories (Pty) Ltd. This is a fast - paced but friendly environment that will suit an organized person with a great eye for detail.

This position is responsible for leading and directing the operations departments and teams by implementing key initiatives in line with Global and Company Strategies to achieve sustainable growth in sales, profitability and cash flow. Ensuring that supply chain is optimized and brought in line with the new Industry 4.0 initiative.

As Operations Manager, the best candidate will demonstrate leadership in communicating business goals, programs, and processes. In this role, you will utilize your experience or expertise to solve problems, develop and execute objectives for self and others, and affect short-term and some long-term business goals. This position requires a proactive, strategic thinker who has a record of contributing to the systematic and profitable operation of major hazardous instillation site.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following inter alia:

• Execute Buckman Africa Strategy to meet shareholder requirements and fund growth of the Company,
• Maintain sound Corporate Governance
• Maintain and improve SHE performance within the division
• Leading, directing and managing the Operations team
• Ensuring effective representation of Buckman
• Maintain and improving performance of each department
• Effective planning for the supply chain from source to deliver and return from customers
• Maintain and improve the service levels to our customer base in line with the strategic plan and based on customer categorization,
• Effectively manage and improve logistics function to ensure effective service levels to customers in a cost-effective manner
• Effectively Lead, manage and develop the Customer Services, Production team, Sourcing team and the Quality control function
• Qualifying candidates must have (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):
• Excellent understanding of chemical manufacturing industry;
• Fundamental understanding and working experience of Risk Management in a Hazardous Chemical Manufacturing environment;
• Effective risk management; knowing when to escalate, defining risk mitigation plans and know when to invoke them
• Must have strong analytical skills with ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of manufacturing policies and regulations;
• Ability to prioritize work assignments in a fast-paced work environment, calm under pressure and flexibility to direct work force and adapt to changing schedules as appropriate.
• Knowledge of the disciplines of manufacturing management such as production and inventory control, and standard cost systems
• Strong leadership abilities and employee relation's skills, including coaching and communication and demonstrated ability to train and mentor direct reports;
• Ability to effectively interface with all levels of management with excellent interpersonal and written communication skills to interact with local and corporate contacts.
• Ability to work with teams and lead decision making processes in a team environment
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and assign right prioritization
• Experience with Management of Change processes;

Please note: The incumbent in this position is key to the company’s succession planning and may be given other assignments as part of ongoing developmental efforts.

Qualifications and Experience:

• 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management or related field required.
• Post-graduate qualification (Business Studies) or equivalent
• Must have at least 10 years’ experience 5 of which will be at a leadership role at a manufacturing facility;
• Extensive knowledge of production processes, quality control, costing and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture of chemicals is preferred.

The job calls for a highly energetic, self - driven, independent, self-motivated person with excellent problem solving and communication skills, ability to meet tight deadlines and work under pressure, work in professional manner at all times taking ownership of ensuring the customer needs are met as promised. Candidates must possess high levels of integrity together with strong self-leadership abilities.

Equity Statement: We are committed to Employment Equity when recruiting internally and externally. It is company policy to promote from within wherever possible. Therefore, please be aware that internal candidates will be considered first before reviewing external applicants, provided that this supports achievement of our Employment Equity goals.

Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be short listed. If you have not been contacted within 3 months of the closing date of the advertisement, please consider yourself unsuccessful.

CLOSING DATE: 4 October 2017