Cane Testing Service: Regional Operations Manager (North)

The Cane Testing Service provides an analytical chemistry service aimed at enhancing the profitability, sustainability and global competitiveness of the South African sugar industry. To learn more about this dynamic division, please visit our website at www.sasa.org.za and click on Divisions of SASA.

Key Accountabilities of the Regional Operations Manager
Reporting to the General Manager this position will be accountable for the successful operation of the Cane Testing centres that fall within the northern region (Malelane, Komati, Pongola, Umfolozi and Felixton).

This position will be responsible for:
 Positive leadership of five Cane Testing Service centres based at sugar mills in Mpumalanga and KZN – including direction setting, coaching, driving recognition and career development to support retention.
 The development and implementation of operational strategy and the engaging in regular and value-adding liaison with principal stakeholders
 Management responsibility for five D Band level Cane Testing Managers who in turn manage a total of 130 A to C Band level employees.
 Fostering strong long term customer relationships through establishing solid relationships and surpassing customer expectations on service delivery/performance.
 The overall growth and productivity of the northern region, planning and co-ordinating regional activities to meet customer requirements and directing regional business plans and strategies
 Measuring and evaluating overall regional business performance against budgets and objectives
 Representing regional management at industry meetings.
 Planning, co-ordinating and conducting audits to ensure compliance to Official Methods.

Essential candidate requirements include but are not limited to:
 BSc Hons/Msc Chemistry /An Chem./ Quality Assurance;
 An additional degree in Business Management will be an advantage;
 Min 5 yrs management experience in a unionized context, preferably including experience in the management of performance of other qualified specialists;
 Leadership, facilitation and conflict resolution skills necessary to lead a dynamic team, maximizing performance through understanding the key service drivers;
 The ability to interface with and influence multiple stakeholders at all levels, internally and externally;
 Familiarity with all relevant legislation including labour, health and safety etc.
 Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
 Well-developed analytical, problem solving, planning and organising abilities;
 A resilient and innovative achiever;
 Willing to undertake extensive road travel and planned/unplanned time away from home in the course of duties.

Application Procedures
Only applications submitted through our online job portal will be considered. To enter the portal, please visit the SASA website, careers page and point to “Click here to apply for any of the positions listed on the left” to enter the portal. Please feel welcome to provide comprehensive information when making your submission as this will assist our short-listing process. Please ensure that you provide us with an indication of your current total guaranteed remuneration package and any variable benefits.

We will contact applicants who appear to best fit our requirements with a request that they provide a more detailed CV and furnish us with copies of their academic record. If you do not have a copy of your academic transcript please could we suggest that you contact your university to obtain this.

Important to note
Short-listed candidates will be required to participate in pre-selection competency and psychometric assessments and have a clear credit and criminal record.

SASA recognises the high levels of unemployment in our country as well as the need for employers in South Africa to contribute to transformation through active support of the equity provisions contained in both the Employment Equity Act and the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act and Codes of Good Practice. Accordingly our first priority is the provision of employment opportunities to South African nationals. Further and in keeping with the requirements imposed by the Department of Home Affairs applications for employment by foreign nationals can only be considered in the event that a comprehensive recruitment process has failed to result in the identification and appointment of a suitable South African candidate.

SASA follows a comprehensive recruitment process that includes the formal assessment of cognitive abilities and preferred behavioural styles, undertaken by an internationally acknowledged organisation in such assessments.