Operations Manager

Head of Operations — Trojan Tyre (Horizon Africa Holdings Pty Ltd)
Job Purpose

The
Head of Operations (HoO)
will oversee the
entire operational ecosystem
of Trojan Tyre, ensuring seamless coordination between workshop, retail, and administrative functions.

This role is central to achieving efficiency, scalability, profitability, and compliance, while supporting the CEO in executing strategic growth and expansion plans.

The HoO acts as the
bridge between executive management and site-level operations
, ensuring every business unit performs in alignment with financial and service objectives.

Core Responsibilities
1. Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Oversee daily operations across all business divisions: tyre fitment, wheel alignment, balancing, car wash, and retail sales.
• Develop and implement
  standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  for service, safety, customer interaction, and workflow efficiency.
• Translate the company's strategic goals into measurable operational KPIs and monitor performance.
• Support the CEO in business planning, budgeting, and performance forecasting.
• Prepare and present
  monthly operations reports
  summarizing revenue performance, cost trends, and staff productivity.

2. Financial Oversight & Profitability Management

• Monitor P&L statements, EBIT margins, and FCF outcomes for each division.
• Oversee operational budgeting, resource allocation, and expense control.
• Manage supplier and procurement relationships to ensure competitive pricing and consistent stock availability.
• Identify opportunities for
  cost optimization and margin improvement
  without compromising quality.
• Collaborate with the Centre Manager to ensure inventory turnover ratios and cash conversion cycles are within targets.

3. Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Maintain compliance with
  OHS Act
  ,
  SABS standards
  , and environmental regulations governing tyre disposal, workshop safety, and chemical handling.
• Oversee maintenance of all tools, lifts, compressors, and balancing machines.
• Conduct regular internal audits to ensure
  safety readiness, insurance compliance, and quality benchmarks
  are met.
• Coordinate certification or franchise requirements with OEMs and tyre suppliers.

4. Business Development & Expansion

• Assist in identifying and evaluating
  new branch locations, partnerships, or fleet contracts
  .
• Establish operational frameworks for scalability and regional replication.
• Negotiate with OEMs, tyre manufacturers, and fleet management firms for better procurement terms and volume discounts.
• Oversee new site setup, CAPEX utilization, and opening readiness processes.

5. People Leadership & Organizational Development

• Supervise the Centre Manager and Admin Manager; provide leadership and mentorship.
• Create a
  performance-driven culture
  through KPIs, incentive programs, and staff recognition.
• Implement training programs for technicians, supervisors, and sales staff.
• Maintain fair labour practices and compliance with
  BCEA, UIF, SDL, and OHSA
  regulations.
• Conduct regular team meetings to address operational challenges and communicate strategic updates.

6. Stakeholder & Investor Relations

• Prepare operational updates for investors, funding partners and the executive team.
• Support due diligence activities by providing detailed operational and compliance data when required.
• Act as a representative for Trojan Tyre in supplier negotiations, regulatory engagements, and industry networking.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum Qualification:
  Diploma or Degree in Operations Management, Business Administration, or Mechanical/Automotive Engineering.
• Preferred Qualification:
  Postgraduate Degree / MBA advantageous.
• Experience:
• 8–12 years
  in the tyre, automotive, or mechanical service industry.
• At least
  5 years in a senior management or regional operations role
  .
• Proven record in multi-site operations or large-scale workshop management.
• Technical Knowledge:
  Tyre technology, fitment systems, balancing/alignment equipment, and supply chain management.
• Software Proficiency:
  MS Office Suite, ERP or POS systems, and Excel-based analytics tools.

Core Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinking.
• Strong financial acumen and data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent leadership and team-building capability.
• Supplier negotiation and contract management.
• Operational planning and workflow optimization.
• Crisis management and regulatory awareness.