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40 Operations Managers Jobs in South Africa
Daily priorities shift as production schedules change, problems demand real-time decisions, and multiple teams look to operations for answers.
Average salary: ZAR 684,821
Average salary
ZAR 684,821
across 39 jobs
- Head of Department (HoD): Non-Energy Minerals Trade
- SGS
- Gauteng, South Africa
- ZAR 900,000 – ZAR 1,300,000
- Branch Supervisor
- SGS
- Gauteng, South Africa
- ZAR 300,000 – ZAR 450,000
- Operations Manager
- Lear Corporation
- Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- ZAR 800,000 – ZAR 1,200,000
- Assistant Manager - Operations
- WNS Global Services
- Cape Town, South Africa
- ZAR 300,000 – ZAR 450,000
- Release Planning Coordinator
- Sony Music Entertainment
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- ZAR 400,000 – ZAR 600,000
- Contract Operations Manager
- Africa Global Logistics
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- ZAR 800,000 – ZAR 1,200,000
- Contract Manager
- Copper Quail Global
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- ZAR 1,200,000 – ZAR 1,800,000
- Area Operations Manager
- ShopriteX
- Eastern Cape, Western Cape, South Africa
- ZAR 600,000 – ZAR 800,000
- International Operations Manager
- Takealot Group
- Cape Town, South Africa
- ZAR 900,000 – ZAR 1,200,000
- Operations Manager
- Energy Drive
- Pinetown, South Africa
- ZAR 650,000 – ZAR 900,000
- System Supervisor (External Applications Only - Heidedal)
- Cashbuild
- Bloemfontein, South Africa
- ZAR 120,000 – ZAR 180,000
- Manager: Management Support - FSD
- South African Reserve Bank
- Pretoria, South Africa
- ZAR 900,000 – ZAR 1,200,000
- Site Development Manager
- Deutsche Post DHL
- Eastern Cape, South Africa
- ZAR 600,000 – ZAR 900,000
- Team Leader
- Solevo
- Pretoria, South Africa
- ZAR 180,000 – ZAR 260,000
- Store Risk Manager
- Mr Price Group
- Gauteng, South Africa
- ZAR 220,000 – ZAR 320,000
- Workshop Foreman
- Scania Group
- Middelburg, South Africa
- ZAR 420,000 – ZAR 560,000
- 新零售管培生-外派
- Xiaomi
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- ZAR 300,000 – ZAR 500,000
- Critical Environment Program Manager
- Microsoft
- Cape Town, South Africa
- ZAR 1,200,000 – ZAR 1,800,000
- Branch Manager, Operations, Road
- DSV
- Mpumalanga, South Africa
- ZAR 800,000 – ZAR 1,100,000
- Manager: Workforce Management
- WNS Global Services
- Cape Town, South Africa
- ZAR 650,000 – ZAR 900,000
- Supervisor, Administration, Road
- DSV
- Gauteng, South Africa
- ZAR 300,000 – ZAR 420,000
- Service Manager
- CFAO
- South Africa
- ZAR 900,000 – ZAR 1,300,000
- Service Manager
- CFAO
- South Africa
- ZAR 800,000 – ZAR 1,100,000
- Aftermarket Controller
- CFAO
- South Africa
- ZAR 400,000 – ZAR 600,000
- Manager - Quality Excellence
- EXL
- Cape Town, South Africa
- ZAR 900,000 – ZAR 1,200,000
- Shift Supervisor
- Valterra Platinum
- Mokopane, South Africa
- ZAR 450,000 – ZAR 600,000
- Butchery Assistant Manager
- Pick n Pay
- Northern Cape, South Africa
- ZAR 192,000 – ZAR 264,000
- Operations Manager
- Advania UK
- Cape Town, South Africa
- ZAR 720,000 – ZAR 960,000
- Retail Branch Manager
- Sanlam
- Durban, South Africa
- ZAR 400,000 – ZAR 600,000
- Administration Manager
- Anton Paar
- Midrand, South Africa
- ZAR 600,000 – ZAR 850,000
- Studio Director
- OLIVER Agency
- Cape Town, South Africa
- ZAR 900,000 – ZAR 1,200,000
- Operations Supervisor
- Aramex
- George, South Africa
- ZAR 300,000 – ZAR 420,000
- Operations Shared Services: Product Owner
- Sanlam
- Pretoria, South Africa
- ZAR 800,000 – ZAR 1,100,000
- Associate Manager, Academy Operations
- Impact
- Cape Town, South Africa
- ZAR 500,000 – ZAR 700,000
- Bakery Manager
- Pick n Pay
- KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- ZAR 180,000 – ZAR 260,000
- Manufacturing Excellence Lead
- Unilever
- Boksburg, South Africa
- ZAR 800,000 – ZAR 1,100,000
- Senior Client Service Manager
- TMF Group
- Johannesburg, Cape Town +3 more
- HUF 18,000,000 – HUF 24,000,000
- Risk Supervisor
- Mr Price Group
- South Africa
- ZAR 180,000 – ZAR 240,000
- Store Risk Manager
- Mr Price Group
- Roodepoort, South Africa
- ZAR 240,000 – ZAR 360,000
- Store Risk Manager
- Mr Price Group
- Cape Town, South Africa
- ZAR 300,000 – ZAR 420,000
Operations management involves coordinating workflows, managing resources, and solving logistical problems across manufacturing plants, distribution centers, hospitals, and service organizations. Employers typically require a bachelor's degree in business or operations, though some promote from within, and they expect candidates to understand process improvement methodologies and basic supply chain principles. These roles sit between frontline supervision and executive leadership, with operations managers reporting to directors or heads of operations in mid-sized to large organizations across all industries.
Operations Managers jobs by city
- Singapore36
- London32
- Kuala Lumpur21
- Shanghai17
- Dubai17
- Colombia17
- Riyadh16
- Seattle15
- Berlin15
- Sydney15
- Hong Kong14
- Santiago14
- Chennai14
- Bukit Jalil13
- Sofia13
- São Paulo13
More in Business & Operations
- Logistics and Operational Support5023
- Laborers and Warehouse Workers4054
- Project and Program Managers3056
- Business Analysis2162
- Supply Chain Managers2059
- General Managers1849
- Procurement1599
- Property and Facilities Managers558
- Supply Chain Analysts418
- Founders & Owners190
- Fundraising and Grants82
- Government Leaders77
- Board Members8
Questions
What does a typical day involve?
Days combine planning and troubleshooting: reviewing production metrics, responding to equipment failures, coordinating with shipping teams, and handling staffing gaps. The schedule responds to whatever disrupts normal operations, making no two days identical.
What educational background do employers expect?
Most positions require a bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, or operations. Some organizations hire candidates with associate degrees and relevant experience, particularly if they've worked their way up from supervisory roles.
How much time is spent in an office versus on the floor?
Operations managers split time between both environments, though the balance varies by industry. Manufacturing roles demand regular floor presence to observe operations, while logistics-focused positions may spend more time in control centers or offices managing data systems.
What problem-solving skills matter most?
Operations managers need to diagnose bottlenecks quickly, prioritize competing demands, and implement solutions under pressure. This involves analyzing data, consulting with staff, and making trade-offs between speed, cost, and quality.
How does this role differ from supply chain management?
Operations managers focus on internal processes and day-to-day execution, while supply chain managers extend their scope to external vendors, inventory planning, and long-term sourcing. Operations is typically narrower but requires deeper involvement in immediate problem-solving.
What's the typical progression from this role?
Operations managers advance to operations director or head of operations positions, or move into plant manager or facilities director roles depending on their organization. Some transition into business operations, consulting, or corporate improvement initiatives.
Are there different types of operations manager roles?
Yes—manufacturing operations focuses on production efficiency, while logistics operations manages distribution networks, and healthcare operations handles facility workflows and patient throughput. The core skills transfer, but the problems and environments differ significantly.
How much autonomy do operations managers have?
Autonomy depends on organizational structure and the manager's experience level. Newer managers may operate within established frameworks, while experienced ones often set departmental processes and have authority over budgets and staffing decisions.
What's the physical and mental demand like?
The role is mentally demanding due to constant multitasking and high-stakes decisions, but not usually physically demanding. Stress peaks during disruptions or peak seasons, and the pace can feel relentless when systems fail or staffing runs thin.
How does this role differ from project management?
Project managers oversee defined initiatives with clear endpoints, while operations managers own ongoing processes that run continuously. Operations requires sustaining performance over time rather than delivering a specific outcome and moving on.