Business Unit Manager

Position:

Business Unit Manager

Job Description:

To provide strategic leadership and operational direction across the portfolio by delivering client-centric solutions, driving operational excellence, and achieving commercial, service delivery and growth objectives. The role ensures effective governance, strong stakeholder relationships, continuous improvement and the development of high-performing teams to deliver sustainable business outcomes.

Location:

Johannesburg - Adcorp Place

Contract Type:

Permanent

Minimum Requirements:

Experience:

• Min 5-10 years’ experience in senior leadership roles within process driven working environments and or industries

• Warehouse/ Production/ Hospitality industry experience is essential.

Qualification:

• Tertiary business qualification ideally in logistics, supply chain management or process / industrial engineering

Additional Requirements:

N/A

Roles and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Operational Insight

• Provide strategic operational insight and industry expertise to ensure solutions are commercially sustainable, output-focused, and aligned to business strategy.

• Contribute as a member of the Management Committee (Manco) in shaping business strategy, operational direction, and organisational priorities.

• Foster a culture of operational excellence, process discipline, innovation, and continuous improvement across the business.

• Drive the integration of technology, digitisation, and operational reporting to improve efficiency, visibility, and decision-making.

• Evaluate, implement, and continuously improve existing and new operational solutions aligned to strategic business objectives.

• Support the development of new functionally outsourced solutions through market intelligence, industry trends, competitor analysis, and evolving client requirements.

Operational Management & Process Execution

• Provide operational leadership and execution oversight across all functionally outsourced solutions within the responsible portfolio.

• Ensure operational delivery complies with client requirements, Statements of Work (SOWs), Service Level Agreements (SLAs), pricing schedules, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and contractual obligations.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve operational processes and SOPs to support consistent service delivery and operational excellence.

• Conduct regular operational reviews, site visits, and inspections to monitor service delivery, compliance, KPI achievement, and identify improvement opportunities.

• Analyse operational performance, investigate root causes of variances, and implement corrective and preventative actions.

• Lead the effective onboarding and implementation of new clients and operational solutions.

• Oversee operational administration, including payroll governance, employee documentation, operational records, sales order management, and billing accuracy.

• Ensure operational processes, controls, and service delivery activities effectively support business and client objectives.

Financial Management & Business Growth

• Deliver agreed commercial, financial, growth, and profitability objectives for the business unit.

• In partnership with the Operations Executive and Finance, monitor financial performance and implement initiatives that improve margins, control costs, and achieve budgeted operating profit.

• Develop forecasts, monitor client profitability (CP%), and implement corrective actions where required.

• Manage operational cost drivers, including PPE, transport, training, medicals, and other cost-of-sales items in line with pricing schedules.

• Ensure accurate invoicing, effective debtor management, and timely resolution of outstanding accounts in collaboration with Finance and operational teams.

• Develop client pricing schedules and support annual pricing reviews and negotiations.

• Identify organic growth opportunities within existing clients and support business development through solution design, pricing, tenders, and client engagements.

• Support client acquisition, onboarding, retention, and the development of tailored operational solutions that strengthen the business offering.

Compliance, Labour Relations & Governance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable legislation, company policies, corporate governance requirements, client standards, and Department of Labour audit requirements.

• Coordinate Labour Relations activities, including disciplinary processes, CCMA preparation, reporting, record management, and adherence to prescribed systems and processes.

• Identify, manage, and escalate labour-related risks while maintaining current knowledge of labour legislation, bargaining council agreements, wage determinations, and industry developments.

• Promote constructive labour relations through effective engagement with unions, employee representatives, and key stakeholders.

• Ensure effective management of health, safety, IOD, and related compliance requirements in accordance with legislative and client standards.

• Maintain accurate employee documentation and records to support operational governance and internal and external audit readiness.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build, maintain, and strengthen strategic relationships with key client stakeholders and decision-makers.

• Ensure service delivery consistently meets contractual obligations, service level expectations, and client requirements.

• Conduct regular client engagements and site visits, ensuring actions, commitments, and improvement initiatives are documented and tracked.

• Monitor client feedback and performance indicators, implementing corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives where required.

• Resolve escalated client issues promptly, escalating matters appropriately to ensure effective resolution.

• Support long-term client retention and partnership growth through proactive stakeholder engagement, service excellence, and operational collaboration.

People & Team Leadership

• Foster a high-performance culture that promotes employee engagement, accountability, productivity, and retention.

• Lead workforce planning and transformation initiatives to ensure appropriate resourcing and achievement of Employment Equity objectives.

• Provide leadership, coaching, performance management, and ongoing support to direct reports.

• Drive talent development, succession planning, individual development planning, and continuous learning initiatives.

• Ensure compliance with HR policies, procedures, and operational standards while building capable, appropriately trained teams to deliver client and operational requirements.