Operations Director

• 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:

• 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.

Your work will directly restore landscapes, create jobs, and support the clean energy transition.