Operations Controller

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and hands-on Operations Controller to join our team and take responsibility for the coordination, monitoring and follow-through of key operational activities across the business.

This is a varied role suited to an individual who is highly organised, solutions-driven and comfortable working across operations, health and safety, maintenance, fleet management and compliance.

The successful candidate will play an important role in ensuring that operational issues are identified, addressed and followed through to completion, while supporting safe, efficient and reliable business operations nationally.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Operational Control

• Monitor and coordinate day-to-day operational activities.
• Conduct regular operational, process and site inspections.
• Identify operational bottlenecks, risks and inefficiencies and recommend practical solutions.
• Monitor the effective use of labour, equipment, materials and other operational resources.
• Assist with the development, implementation and review of SOPs and operational procedures.
• Track operational issues and corrective actions through to verified resolution.

Health & Safety

• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the Company's Health & Safety requirements nationally.
• Conduct and coordinate workplace inspections.
• Identify unsafe conditions, hazards and non-compliance and ensure corrective action is taken.
• Monitor PPE and safe working practices.
• Assist with incident and near-miss investigations.
• Maintain H&S records, registers and documentation.
• Coordinate safety meetings, toolbox talks and relevant safety communication.
• Monitor emergency preparedness, evacuation procedures, drills and emergency equipment.

Maintenance & Facilities

• Coordinate preventative and corrective maintenance activities.
• Ensure machinery, equipment, buildings and facilities are maintained in a safe and operational condition.
• Monitor breakdowns and ensure repairs are attended to promptly.
• Coordinate internal maintenance resources and external contractors.
• Maintain preventative maintenance schedules and service records.
• Monitor maintenance expenditure and identify opportunities for improved cost efficiency.
• Identify recurring equipment failures and assist with longer-term corrective solutions.

Fleet Management

• Manage fleet-related controls, including licences, fleet cards, eTags, servicing and maintenance records.
• Coordinate scheduled vehicle inspections.
• Monitor vehicle tracking systems and investigate exceptions, unsafe driving patterns, misuse and other concerns.
• Ensure fleet-related actions are followed through to completion.

Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor compliance with Company policies, procedures and operational controls.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Maintain corrective-action trackers and ensure actions are closed within agreed timeframes.
• Monitor chemical handling, storage and operational controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, safety and reliability.
• Monitor waste, downtime, breakdowns and other operational inefficiencies.

Reporting

• Prepare regular operational reports for management.
• Report on maintenance, breakdowns, H&S incidents, inspections and outstanding corrective actions.
• Monitor key operational indicators and highlight areas requiring management attention.
• Ensure operational documentation and records are accurate, current and accessible.

Minimum RequirementsQualifications

• Grade 12 / National Senior Certificate.
• A relevant qualification in Operations Management, Health & Safety, Engineering, Maintenance Management or a related field will be advantageous.
• A relevant Health & Safety qualification will be advantageous.

Experience

• 3–5 years' relevant experience in operations, manufacturing, maintenance, health & safety or a related environment.
• Manufacturing experience will be advantageous.
• Experience working with machinery, equipment and maintenance processes.
• Experience with operational auditing, process compliance, site inspections and occupational health and safety.
• Experience coordinating contractors and service providers will be advantageous.
• Experience with fleet administration and vehicle inspections will be advantageous.

Skills & Competencies

We are looking for someone who demonstrates:

• Strong operational coordination and organisational skills.
• Excellent problem-solving ability.
• Strong Health & Safety awareness.
• Good understanding of preventative and corrective maintenance.
• Ability to identify and manage operational risks.
• Strong reporting and administrative skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to coordinate across multiple departments.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel.
• A proactive, hands-on approach.
• Strong accountability and follow-through.
• A continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

A valid driver's licence is mandatory.

Working Requirements

This role is based at our Durban Head Office and will require regular travel to branches nationally.

The successful candidate must be comfortable working in a manufacturing environment where exposure to machinery, chemicals, noise and other operational hazards may occur.

Occasional work outside normal working hours may be required in response to operational emergencies, breakdowns or safety incidents.

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced operations professional to take ownership of a broad and influential operational portfolio, working across Production, Maintenance, Health & Safety, Quality, Technical, Warehouse, Procurement, Finance and HR.

If you are a hands-on, accountable and solutions-focused individual who enjoys identifying problems, implementing improvements and ensuring that things get done, we would like to hear from you.

How to Apply

If you meet the above requirements and believe you have the skills and experience to succeed in this role, we would like to hear from you. Closing date for applications are 10 September 2026.

Please submit your CV and a brief motivation to CV@genkem.co.za. Strictly email. No telephonic queries will be entertained. Should you not hear from us with 2 weeks of the closing date, please consider yourself unsuccessful.

Please use the following reference in your application:
Operations Controller

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The Company reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Pay: R15 000,00 - R21 000,00 per month

Work Location: In person