Hardware Operations Manager (Western Cape) at Flash Group

Description

• The role acts as the operational bridge between suppliers, technical teams, finance, logistics, and customer-facing stakeholders, ensuring delivery commitments are met while continuously improving processes and cost efficiency.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational Delivery & Execution

• Own end-to-end operational delivery of device initiatives across customers
• Translate customer and business requirements into executable delivery plans
• Track milestones, risks, and dependencies; escalate issues proactively
• Ensure delivery commitments are met across timelines, quality, and cost

Device & Technical Operations

• Ensure devices are technically ready for deployment (OS, APKs, configuration)
• Coordinate technical inputs between OEMs, platform teams, and customers
• Oversee device lifecycle processes including provisioning, repairs, and redeployment
• Support troubleshooting and root-cause analysis of device-related issues

Supplier & OEM Management

• Manage day-to-day relationships with device manufacturers, repair centres, and logistics partners
• Hold suppliers accountable to SLAs, quality standards, and delivery timelines
• Drive supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support commercial discussions around pricing, lead times, and capacity planning

Logistics, Inventory & Warehousing

• Oversee imports, customs clearance, warehousing, and distribution activities
• Ensure accurate stock visibility across all device categories
• Manage reverse logistics including returns, repairs, and refurbishment
• Optimise warehouse utilisation and operational efficiency

Financial & Commercial Coordination

• Partner with finance and procurement on PO management, invoicing, and reconciliations
• Track costs related to devices, logistics, and repairs
• Support accurate customer billing and revenue recognition

Stakeholder & Customer Management

• Act as a senior operational contact for key customers 
• Manage operational communication related to delivery status, risks, and changes
• Ensure customer expectations are aligned with operational realities

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Produce regular operational reports for leadership
• Identify bottlenecks, risks, and cost inefficiencies
• Drive process improvements across delivery, supplier management, and technical operations

Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Diploma or Degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, IT, Business, or related field (advantageous)
• 5–8 years’ experience in operations, delivery management, supply chain, or technical operations
• Proven experience managing hardware/device operations at scale
• Experience working with OEMs, suppliers, and logistics partners
• Exposure to technical device environments (payments, POS, Android devices, or similar)
• Experience supporting large customer accounts or enterprise deployments  

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE / TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Delivery & Operations Management

• Strong understanding of end-to-end delivery models (supplier → import → warehouse → customer)
• Experience managing delivery timelines, dependencies, risks, and escalations
• Ability to run multi-workstream operational delivery across teams and vendors
• Knowledge of demand planning, stock forecasting, and fulfilment models

Technical & Device Operations

• Understanding of device lifecycles: procurement, provisioning, configuration, deployment, repair, and decommissioning
• Familiarity with Android-based devices, OS versions, firmware, APK compatibility and configuration requirements
• Ability to coordinate technical readiness with Platform, Engineering / APK teams and OEM technical support
• Comfortable working with MDM, device management, diagnostics, or asset tracking systems (advantageous)

Supplier & OEM Management

• Experience managing OEMs, manufacturers, logistics providers, and repair partners
• Ability to negotiate and manage SLAs, Delivery commitments, Quality standards Escalations and corrective actions
• Strong understanding of supplier performance tracking and cost control
• Experience managing suppliers in China or international markets (advantageous)

Financial & Commercial Operations

• Understanding of Purchase orders, Invoicing, billing cycles, cost tracking and reconciliations
• Ability to partner with finance to ensure accurate costing, margin protection and timely billing and payment tracking

Data & Reporting

• Strong operational reporting skills
• Intermediate to advanced Excel (pivot tables, lookups, reconciliations)
• Ability to build and maintain delivery trackers, stock dashboards and supplier performance reports
• Comfortable using tools such as Asana or similar workflow platforms

COMPETENCIES / ATTRIBUTES:

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple workflows simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across internal and external teams.
• Solid project management capability; able to drive tasks from planning to completion.
• Understanding of logistics, imports, warehouse operations, and inventory management systems.
• Ability to interpret financial processes (invoicing, billing, reconciliations).
• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to implement process improvements.
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and accountability.
• Comfortable working in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.