Chief Operating Officer (Group)

Position Summary We are seeking a senior executive who will be responsible for overseeing and optimizing the day-to-day operations across our group of companies. We are an industrial manufacturing and engineering services group of companies operating in the industrial processing sector across South Africa and internationally.

The COO is accountable for the operational performance of the Group's portfolio of operating companies spanning flow control equipment manufacturing, non-destructive testing (NDT), industrial wear lining, specialist welding, and asset integrity services. The role requires a strategic operator with exceptional leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, and a proven ability to drive operational excellence across a diversified, multi-entity industrial group.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Group Coordination: Partner with the Executive Chairman and Group leadership to formulate and implement strategies that advance 2Roads' vision of becoming the premier industrial manufacturing and engineering service company in Africa. Align the operating plans of individual member companies with Group-wide objective

• Operational Efficiency & Standardization: Identify opportunities to streamline and optimize operations across the Group's manufacturing, inspection, welding, and maintenance businesses. Implement best practices, standard operating procedures, and performance metrics that enhance productivity, quality, and cost-effectiveness across all operating companies.

• Quality, Safety & Compliance: Champion the Group's commitment to quality and safety, ensuring member companies maintain certifications such as ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management), ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management), and ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health & Safety). Oversee risk-based inspection, asset integrity, and regulatory compliance practices appropriate to high-hazard industrial environments (pressure equipment, tanks, pipelines, steel structures).

• Team Leadership: Lead and support the leadership teams of Group operating companies, fostering the 2Roads values of being Brave, Professional, and Collaborative. Provide guidance, coaching, and professional development opportunities across the Group's technical and management workforce.

• Financial & Resource Oversight: Partner with the relevant stakeholders on budgeting, financial planning, and cost management across operating companies.

• Stakeholder & Client Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with clients across the mining, power generation, oil and gas, petrochemical, waterworks, and maritime sectors, as well as OEM and distribution partners. Provide regular reports and updates to the Executive Chairman and Group leadership on operational progress, challenges, and opportunities.

• Growth & Geographic Expansion Support: Support the group's international business development and market expansion efforts across African markets, helping ensure new subsidiaries and partnerships are operationally integrated into the Group.

• Systems, Technology & Digital Transformation: Drive the adoption of standardized operational systems (e.g., ERP, production tracking, reporting and asset management platforms) across member companies to improve visibility, consistency, and decision-making at the Group level. Evaluate and champion new technologies that improve manufacturing, inspection, and maintenance productivity.

• Human Resources & Organizational Development: Partner with HR leadership across the Group to develop consistent workforce policies, talent management, and succession planning, particularly for technical and artisan roles that are critical to service delivery. Support recruitment and retention strategies in a competitive industrial skills market.

• Mergers, Acquisitions & Business Integration: Support the Executive Chairman and Group CFO in evaluating potential acquisitions, joint ventures, and new subsidiary partnerships. Lead operational due diligence and post-acquisition integration to ensure new entities are aligned with Group systems, standards, and culture.

• Business Continuity & Contingency Planning: Develop and maintain business continuity plans for critical operating companies, addressing risks such as equipment failure, supply chain disruption, and site-specific safety incidents, to minimize downtime and protect client service levels.

• Board & Governance Reporting: Prepare and present operational performance reports, KPIs, and strategic updates to the Executive Chairman and Board as required, providing visibility into Group-wide operational health, risks, and opportunities.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business administration, or a related field required; advanced degree (e.g., MBA) preferred.

• Proven experience in a senior operations leadership role, preferably as a COO or equivalent, within industrial manufacturing, engineering services, or asset integrity/inspection sectors.

• Experience managing operations across multiple business units or subsidiaries, ideally within a group/holding company structure.

• Experience operating across multiple African markets or other multi-country environments is highly advantageous.

• Working knowledge of quality, environmental, and safety management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001) and industrial regulatory frameworks (e.g., pressure equipment, NDT standards).

• Familiarity with valves, pumps, flow control equipment, non-destructive testing, welding, or industrial maintenance industries preferred.

• Sound financial acumen and experience in budgeting, capital investment, and cost management.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including clients in mining, oil & gas, power generation, and petrochemicals.

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to analyze operational and financial data, identify trends, and make data-driven recommendations.

• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally

• Experience with mergers, acquisitions, or business integration is advantageous, particularly in group/holding company environments.

• Familiarity with ERP or enterprise operational systems, and experience driving systems standardization across multiple business units.

• Experience partnering with HR functions on workforce planning, particularly in technical/artisan-heavy industries.

Required Skills

• Strong and demonstrated project management skills, including oversight of multi-site or multi-entity initiatives.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation ability.

• Understanding of interdepartmental and inter-company functions to ensure Group objectives and schedules are met.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities across operating companies simultaneously.

• Superior supervision, management, and administration skills.

• Active listening skills, including giving full attention to others and asking clarifying questions as appropriate.

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, particularly in industrial/technical operating environments.