Area Manager Production East at Sasol

Purpose of Job

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to the production area.
• Ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations in line with Sasol standards and regulatory requirements.
• Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain high plant availability to support production targets.
• Foster a strong culture of safety, compliance, and accountability.
• Lead, engage, and develop teams to consistently deliver on business, safety, health, and environmental objectives
• Collaborate with cross-functional departments to optimize performance and resource utilisation.

Key Accountabilities
Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Develop and implement long-term renewal and production plans aligned with business objectives. Translate and cascade operational goals through effective two-way communication. Align shutdowns and equipment outages with the value chain to maximise business performance. Ensure production contributes to business growth and competitiveness.

Production & Cost Management

• Compile and manage annual and long-term production budgets. Control costs to ensure budget adherence, cost efficiency, and financial discipline. Conduct regular financial reviews with the team to ensure accountability and cost discipline. Minimise wastage, off-spec material, and scrap. Ensure equipment availability supports the production plan and volumes are achieved safely and efficiently.

Safety, Health, Environment & Quality (SHEQ)

• Execute the SHE strategy to achieve zero harm. Manage operational risks by identifying, analysing, and mitigating hazards. Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and legal requirements. Drive continuous improvement of safety, quality, and environmental metrics to maintain license to operate. Ensure safe operation of equipment within OWAP standards.

Asset & Maintenance Management

• Oversee asset management standards, revisions, and improvements. Continuously optimise maintenance activities to support plant reliability. Manage critical maintenance backlogs and ensure functional testing is completed. Report on agreed performance and asset-related criteria.

People Leadership & Culture

• Demonstrate and embed One Sasol behaviours and aspirational culture. Authentically and inclusively engage employees to drive culture transformation. Build leadership and team capability that leverages diversity for competitive advantage. Manage and develop employees effectively, including succession planning and meeting diversity targets. Take accountability for personal growth through reflection, feedback, and self-development. Manage employee wellness and ensure a supportive working environment. Mentor and lead the leadership team within the business unit.

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across production, maintenance, safety, and efficiency. Review performance regularly, recognise achievements, and address performance issues decisively. Drive consistent productivity improvements and ensure processes, standards, and resources enable foremen to meet operational targets. Govern service-level agreements (SLAs) between business units and service departments. Persuade and influence stakeholders, fostering collaborative relationships for win-win outcomes.

Commercial & Governance

• Demonstrate strong commercial acumen and a global mindset in decision-making. Ensure compliance with governance frameworks and financial controls. Manage costs and budgets within agreed parameters. Lead organisational change, innovation, and sustainability efforts. Consistently exercise sound judgment to achieve results through others and hold teams accountable.

Formal Education

• University bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering - Must 

Working Experience

• Experience: 8+ leadership experience