Site Operations Manager at AECI Limited

Job Description

• Provide operational leadership for Plant Health’s Somerset West site.
• Ensure excellence in productivity, quality, maintenance and overall operational performance in line with world-class manufacturing practices.
• Continuously analyse, improve and document operational systems and processes.
• Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams across production, engineering, maintenance, SHEQ and support services, with a strong emphasis on compliance, contamination control and asset care

Security and contractor oversight:

• Manage site security and ensure contractors comply with company standards and applicable regulatory requirements.

Production:

• Ensure safe and efficient production aligned with customer requirements.
• Champion contamination control practices.
• Maintain high standards of sanitation and cleanroom management.
• Drive OEE improvements, yield optimisation, and downtime reduction.

Maintenance & Engineering:

• Lead a proactive, world-class maintenance program that ensures maximum equipment availability and asset longevity
• Implement and manage preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance strategies.
• Ensure maintenance activities are fully aligned with cleanroom processes and practices.
• Drive continuous reliability improvements.
• Manage maintenance and CAPEX budgets and planning
• Manage commissioning of projects or plant modifications

SHEQ and Regulatory Compliance:

• Lead implementation and adherence to SHEQ policies and applicable legislation (e.g. OHSAct, NEMA, transportation etc.)
• Implement and drive Zero harm strategy and safety awareness programmes to strive for Zero Harm to people, environment and assets.
• Manage and ensure that employees are aware of and are well trained for emergency situations that may arise on site.
• Actively participate in internal and external audits, incident investigations, root cause analysis etc.
• Ensure timeous close-out of actions emanating from non-conformances.

Financial Management:

• Prepare and manage site operational budgets (OPEX and CAPEX) to achieve financial objectives.
• Identify and implement cost optimization opportunities without compromising safety, quality, or compliance.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators to track progress against operational goals.

People & Team Leadership

• Lead a multidisciplinary team, including Team Leaders and Specialists across production, quality, engineering and support services.
• Ensure structured training and development of the team.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and operational discipline.
• Foster cross-functional alignment and teamwork across departments

Projects:

• Lead CAPEX projects, including but not limited to new equipment installations, utilities upgrades and plant modifications.
• Ensure effective commissioning, validation, and SOP alignment for all new assets.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum education Grade 12 with Maths and Science
• Tertiary - Degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent(essential); Post graduate diploma in Management/Leadership advantageous

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years post-qualification hands on experience in a “clean” environment e.g. biological site, pharmaceutical, dairy, etc.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a managerial role.
• Possess sound knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and in-depth knowledge of NEMA, transport regulations and all other relevant Acts and associated regulations.
• Knowledge of agrochemical production and products related to the agricultural chemical industry advantageous.
• Experienced in Union engagement
• Technically adept with broad engineering and maintenance knowledge
• Proficiency in MS Office - preferably at the intermediate level.
• Working knowledge of Syspro
• Broad knowledge of Security controls and systems
• Ability to operate in a multi-disciplinary environment
• Knowledge of SHEQ Management Systems e.g. ISO requirements/standards essential

Closing Date

• 2025/09/02