General Manager – Operations | Kliprivier, Gauteng | Permanent Executive Position

Lead a large-scale manufacturing operation where safety, performance, quality, and continuous improvement are at the heart of every decision. This is an opportunity to shape the future of a high-performing production environment while driving operational excellence across a complex manufacturing value chain.

Our client is seeking an experienced General Manager – Operations to take full responsibility for the safe, efficient, and profitable operation of a major tissue manufacturing and converting facility. Reporting to the Operations Director, this executive leadership role will oversee multidisciplinary teams across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, SHEQ, planning, and process optimization functions.

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering strategic and operational objectives relating to safety, quality, cost management, production performance, people development, asset reliability, and cultural transformation. A key focus of the role will be leading the PM5 Value Stream and driving sustainable improvements across the operation through operational excellence, asset care, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Our client is a leading South African manufacturer with a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and operational excellence. The business continues to invest in its people, technology, and manufacturing capabilities while maintaining a culture focused on safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Do

• Lead all site operations to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing performance.
• Drive safety, health, environmental, and risk management programmes across the facility.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary management team to achieve business objectives.
• Create a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Drive operational strategies that improve quality, productivity, reliability, and cost efficiency.
• Provide leadership of the PM5 Value Stream and associated performance metrics.
• Develop and implement long-term operational, maintenance, and capital investment plans.
• Ensure schedule adherence and operational execution against production plans.
• Manage industrial relations and foster a positive employee relations environment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, operational excellence programmes, and best practices.
• Oversee cost management, budgeting, and expenditure control across operations.
• Lead root cause analysis processes and corrective action implementation.
• Support asset management strategies to maximize equipment reliability and performance.
• Manage OPEX and CAPEX planning and execution in partnership with engineering teams.
• Ensure full compliance with legislative, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

What You Bring

• Degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Management, Chemistry, Pulp and Paper Technology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior management role within a paper, tissue, or manufacturing environment.
• Extensive operational leadership experience within large-scale manufacturing facilities.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams across operations, engineering, maintenance, and supply chain functions.
• Strong industrial relations and employee engagement experience.
• Demonstrated success in driving operational improvement and performance transformation.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or similar methodologies.
• Strong financial and budget management capability.
• Sound understanding of asset management and maintenance strategies.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and leadership skills.
• Strong analytical, statistical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven ability to lead cultural change and develop high-performing teams.

What Success Looks Like

• World-class safety performance and risk management outcomes.
• Consistent achievement of production schedules and operational targets.
• Improved product quality and customer satisfaction levels.
• Effective cost control and delivery of operational savings initiatives.
• High levels of equipment reliability and asset performance.
• Strong employee engagement and positive workplace culture.
• Successful execution of capital projects and improvement programmes.
• Development of capable leadership pipelines and succession plans.
• Continuous improvement in operational efficiency and manufacturing excellence.
• Achievement of key performance indicators relating to Safety, Quality, Cost, Schedule Adherence, Culture, Ethics, and Savings.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior manufacturing leader to take ownership of a strategically important operation and play a key role in driving business performance, operational excellence, and long-term growth.