Bushwise Operations Manager

**_Be the driving force that scales world-class field guide training across Southern Africa._**

**Location**:Hoedspruit, South Africa

**Start Date**:January 2026

**Type of Contract**:Permanent (Full-time)

**Reports to**:Director of Bushwise

**BRING YOUR PROCESS-DRIVEN EXPERTISE TO LIFE WHERE IT MATTERS MOST**

You're a commercial, highly organised, and process-driven leader who thrives on bringing structure and efficiency to complex field operations.

You want to be the operational backbone of a fast-growing, life-changing organisation, acting as the Director's right-hand to drive real-world compliance, safety, and operational excellence across multiple camp sites. You're ready to step into a foundational leadership role where your logístical know-how and systems thinking can facilitate significant business growth and streamline daily functions for maximum impact.

**✨ WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS**

As our Operations Manager, you are the critical, hands-on core responsible for ensuring the efficient, safe, and fully compliant day-to-day operation of all Bushwise training camps. Your core mandate is to proactively streamline and scale operations, establish clear working templates (especially for high-volume tasks), and drive efficiency improvements across all sites to support our significant growth. This role is structured as an intensive foundational position with clear career progression.

**WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING**

- **Daily Operational Troubleshooting**:Serve as the first point of contact for resolving all day-to-day operational issues across every camp, providing clear, immediate, and lasting solutions.
- **Fleet & Maintenance Oversight**: Directly manage the Maintenance Manager and establish definitive scheduling, tracking, and reporting systems for all Fleet Management and general camp maintenance activities.
- **Process Implementation**: Proactively identify operational deficiencies and create, document, and implement or improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and templates (e.g., student transfers, stocktake, maintenance requests).
- **Risk Management & Compliance**: Be responsible for the implementation and enforcement of all Health & Safety (H&S) protocols and assist in developing and delivering training for Crisis Management plans.
- **Camp Quality Control**: Conduct regular camp visits to audit and ensure strict adherence to operational standards, safety protocols, and quality control metrics.
- **Procurement and Inventory**: Oversee and implement a centralised, auditable process for all procurement (supplies, equipment, food, etc.) and manage inventory control systems.
- F**inancial Support**: Provide accurate data and necessary analysis to the Director for Cost Management, Forecasting, and Reporting.

**WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM**

- Demonstrated experience in a commercially focused, process-driven project management or operations role, ideally within the tourism or hospitality industry (lodge experience is a bonus but not mandatory).
- A systematic mindset, highly comfortable with designing and using systems like spreadsheets and task trackers to manage complex logistics.
- Experience in creating and implementing operational SOPs and driving efficiency improvements.
- Proven ability to take executive ownership and act as a leader with foresight, not merely a follower, ready to act as a Director's right-hand.
- Experience or the keen ability to manage multiple sites or set up new operational hubs.
- Strong focus on Health & Safety (H&S) implementation and compliance documentation.

Bonus if you also have:

- Experience managing fleet and maintenance schedules.
- Experience working through or overseeing a period of significant organisational growth.

**WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU**

- Basic monthly salary of up to R45 000.
- A clear path for career growth within the organisation
- Generous leave policy
- Flexible, collaborative, and fun culture
- Regular connection with our leadership team and CEO
- Access to in-house wellbeing support

- **️ WORKING AT BUSHWISE**

Bushwise is a leading Field Guide Training company, dedicated to developing the next generation of expert field guides and conservationists. We offer immersive, career-launching courses in some of Africa's most stunning wild spaces. Our commitment is to life-changing transformation, providing students with the knowledge, skills, and values to become successful professionals who drive real-world biodiversity outcomes. We are part of the broader Second Nature organisation.

To learn more about our broader organisation, **Second Nature** follow the link here

**OUR HIRING PROCESS**
- Interview with People Team
- Interview with your future manager
- Practical skills assessment
- Final interview with Senior Leadership
- Background checks

** YOUR NEXT STEP**

If you're ready to be at the heart of every journey, bringing meticulous care to world-changing impact as a leader in operations, we want to hear from you.

**Please send us your**CV**