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

Salary:

Up to ZAR (depending on experience)

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 logistical 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.

OUR HIRING PROCESS

1. Interview with People Team
2. Interview with your future manager
3. Practical skills assessment
4. Final interview with Senior Leadership
5. 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 and a short Cover Letter sharing why this role is the right fit for you.

Kindly note: We genuinely appreciate every application we receive. If you haven't heard from us within 3–4 weeks, it likely means we've moved forward with other candidates this time. That said, we'd love for you to stay connected and consider applying again in the future