General Manager - Operations & Project Delivery (Steel Industry)

Introduction

Our client is a specialist steel construction company delivering turnkey steel solutions across the commercial, industrial and residential sectors. The business is focused on modern construction management, digital systems and operational excellence, and has ambitious plans to grow.

We are seeking a strong leader and office-based manager to strengthen the operational backbone of the business and grow with it. This is an excellent opportunity for a graduate with some management or project experience who is ready to step into a senior role.

The Role

This newly created position is the golden thread in the office. Reporting directly to the Founding Directors, you will tie in, organise and manage the office team (Project Management, Procurement, Stores, Logistics, Quality and Safety), give operations better feedback, and support the needs of the workshop. With 10 to 20 projects running at once, you will become the person everyone calls to find out where a job stands.

Managing, leading and holding staff accountable is the heart of this role. You will start close to procurement and learn the business before introducing new processes.

What Success Looks Like

A well-led, organised and accountable office team, clear visibility across all active projects, better communication between the office and operations, fewer bottlenecks and less firefighting, and systems that support the business as it grows.

Duties & Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the office team, setting clear expectations, giving honest feedback and holding staff accountable for performance.

• Act as the central link between the office, the workshop and installation teams, giving operations clear, accurate and timely feedback.

• Support the workshop’s needs by making sure the right information, materials and priorities reach them when they need them.

• Track the progress of live jobs, oversee procurement and supplier delivery, and resolve risks and bottlenecks before they impact delivery.

• Develop KPIs, reporting and simple processes that improve visibility and control, and help bring the company’s systems together.

• Give the Founding Directors regular, honest status updates.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Requirements

• Proven ability to lead, organise and manage people, with the confidence to give direct, honest feedback and hold colleagues accountable.

• Tertiary qualification (degree or diploma) in a relevant field, such as project management, construction management, logistics and supply chain, quantity surveying, operations management or business.

• Some work experience (typically 3-5 years) managing people, projects or processes, for example in project management, construction, logistics, procurement, quantity surveying or operations.

• Experience coordinating multiple projects or workstreams at the same time.

• Sound understanding of project planning, scheduling, resource allocation and progress tracking.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and operational reporting.

• Genuine enthusiasm for digital systems and process improvement.

• Valid driver’s licence and own vehicle.

Advantageous:  Exposure to steel, construction or fabrication environments; ability to read technical drawings and Bills of Quantities (this can be learned on the job); exposure to ERP or project management systems.

Package & Remuneration

R700k p/a

NO benefits