About the position
Our client is looking for an Operations Director to lead and optimize their end-to-end fiber supply operations in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This is a senior leadership role for someone who combines strong analytical and operational capabilities with the ability to build high-performing teams and create structure in a fast-growing, entrepreneurial environment.
You will be responsible for the full operational supply chain from harvesting and third-party suppliers through to delivery at the company. This includes harvesting operations, logistics, contractor management, quality control, planning, reporting, analytics, and performance management. Working closely with the CEO and wider leadership team, you will play a critical role in improving operational performance, reducing costs, and enabling the continued growth of the company.
What you'll do
- Lead the end-to-end fiber supply operation, ensuring a reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality supply of biomass feedstock.
- Develop and execute operational plans covering harvesting, logistics, contractor management, quality control, and supply chain coordination.
- Build and manage robust planning, reporting, monitoring, and performance management systems across operations.
- Drive operational efficiency initiatives that reduce costs and improve productivity, quality, and operational control.
- Manage relationships with harvesting contractors, transport providers, suppliers, and other key operational partners.
- Establish and monitor key operational KPIs, dashboards, and reporting processes to support data-driven decision-making.
- Lead forecasting, capacity planning, and operational steering to ensure alignment between supply and demand.
- Identify operational risks and proactively implement mitigation measures.
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing operations team with clear accountability and performance expectations.
- Work closely with the CEO and leadership team to support strategic growth and operational scaling.
What the company is looking for:
Must-haves
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Forestry, Business, or a related field. Equivalent experience will also be considered.
- 5-10 years of relevant operational leadership experience.
- Proven experience in a consulting environment, international corporate environment, or similarly rigorous professional setting.
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to translate data into operational improvements and business decisions.
- Demonstrated experience leading operational teams and managing performance.
- Experience managing complex operational processes involving multiple stakeholders and moving parts.
- Strong planning, reporting, and operational steering capabilities.
- Fluency in English.
- Ability to work on-site in Gqeberha.
Preferred:
- Experience in forestry, agriculture, biomass, natural resources, logistics, or other field-based operational environments.
- Experience managing contractors and third-party service providers.
- Knowledge of harvesting operations, supply chain management, or large-scale logistics operations.
- Experience implementing operational reporting systems, dashboards, and performance management frameworks.
- Exposure to fast-growing entrepreneurial businesses.
Traits that will make you successful:
- Highly analytical and comfortable working with numbers, operational data, and performance metrics.
- Strong operator who brings structure, discipline, and consistency to complex environments.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong bias toward action and execution.
- Able to motivate teams through clear goals, facts, and performance insights while maintaining energy and momentum.
- Balanced leadership style that combines strategic thinking with hands-on operational involvement.
- Strong people leader who can build trust and accountability across diverse teams.
- Calm and methodical under pressure.
- Results-oriented and focused on continuous improvement.
- Professional, credible, and able to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
Why join the company:
This is a chance to help solve one of South Africa's biggest ecological challenges while driving a business with major climate and community impact. You'll lead one of the most critical functions in the company, ensuring that their biomass supply operations perform efficiently and scale successfully. Your work will directly restore landscapes, create jobs, and support the clean energy transition.
Desired Skills:
- operational leadership experience
- consulting environment
- fiber
- complex operational processes
