About the position
Purpose of the Role
The Operations Manager is responsible for providing technical and operational leadership for the effective maintenance, safety and performance of a retail shopping centre. The role ensures optimal asset performance, statutory compliance, cost control, contractor management and a safe, customer?focused operational environment.
Key Duties and Responsibilities Financial Management
- Prepare, manage and monitor technical budgets, including CAPEX and R&M
- Compile forecasts and budget variance reports
- Prepare and submit required financial and technical reports to management
- Exercise strict cost control while maintaining service delivery standards
Asset Maintenance and Management
- Develop and implement planned, preventative and emergency maintenance programmes
- Coordinate disaster and emergency planning in collaboration with management and facilities teams
- Manage hard and soft services, ensuring service quality, KPI performance and contractual compliance
- Negotiate cost?effective pricing with service providers
- Implement 3–5 year lifecycle and preventative maintenance plans
- Maintain and manage asset registers, inventory, tools and spares
- Implement energy efficiency, environmental and sustainability initiatives
- Support utility management, consumption analysis and recovery optimisation
- Review utility billing, reports and liaise with utility consultants
- Monitor solar installation performance where applicable
- Conduct technical, housekeeping, contract, take?on and take?back inspections
- Oversee borehole systems and performance reporting
- Manage security systems and identify security risks and mitigation strategies
- Ensure all buildings, equipment and grounds are maintained to required standards
- Stay abreast of market and technical trends in facilities and retail operations
Procurement
- Contribute to SLA specifications with service providers in line with procurement strategy
- Ensure all contractor appointments comply with procurement policies
Health, Safety and Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with OHS Act, fire regulations and statutory requirements
- Maintain internal systems and statutory registers
- Manage insurance claims and processes to finality
- Establish and test emergency and evacuation procedures
- Liaise with SAPS, municipal authorities and other relevant stakeholders
People Management
- Identify skills gaps and implement team training and mentorship
- Allocate work schedules and manage performance using company systems
- Drive team alignment, engagement and accountability
Customer and Tenant Relations
- Manage and resolve technical complaints and operational queries timeously
- Identify complaint trends and implement corrective actions
- Manage tenant relationships, including tenant installations and budget control
Minimum Requirements Experience
- Minimum 5 years’ experience within the property or built environment sector
- Retail shopping centre experience is essential
- Experience with solar installations and generators
- Experience working with business forums or local economic development structures
Qualifications
- Diploma or Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Facilities Management, Building Science or Construction Management
- Qualified trade (electrician, plumber, etc.) advantageous
Knowledge & Technical Requirements
- Property and facilities management principles
- OHS Act, fire and emergency procedures
- Mechanical, electrical and utility management fundamentals
- Budgeting and cost control
- Understanding of leases and service level agreements
- Technical drawings interpretation
Skills and Competencies
- Leadership and stakeholder management
- Strong organisational and analytical skills
- Solid financial and budget management capability
- Project management skills
- Excellent communication and report writing
- Resilient, detail?oriented and solution focused
Desired Skills:
- Asset Management
- Budgeting
- Facilities Management
- Health and Safety Compliance
- Operations Management
- Project Management
- Property Management
