Alfred H Knight has an exciting opportunity for a Branch Manager to join the team in Durban. This individual will be responsible to the Operations Manager for the management of the day to day operational services/sites within the assigned region to ensure that an efficient and high quality commodity surveying service is provided in order to meet the reporting deadlines and priorities agreed with AHK Head Office and clients.
Responsibilities
Maintaining constant communication with management, staff, and vendors to ensure effective operations of the business.
Lead, motivate, and support the team within a time-sensitive and demanding environment, including setup and implementation of career development plans for all direct reports and problem resolution. It is the post holder’s responsibility to inform the Operations Manager of continual resourcing difficulties and, or, operational problems.
The planning, organising, leading and control of daily operations to meet the agreed work schedules and targets.
Ensuring that Inspectors / Supervisors effectively manage their teams, such that sampling work is processed at warehouses and or any other locations as efficiently as possible to meet the turnaround schedule agreed with clients.
Liaising with the administration and laboratory departments to prioritize work specific to customer’s expectations.
In charge of the day-to-day operations at the Durban site.
Maintaining the most cost-effective utilization of resources within Johannesburg operations to ensure reporting schedules are maintained by Managing timely data collection to update operations metrics to achieve productivity targets, reduce cost per unit, eliminate errors, and deliver excellent customer service.
Communicating customer issues with operations team and devise ways of improving the customer experience, including resolving problems and complaints
Liaise with the Operations Manager to ensure that the following contingencies are met: -Staff shortages as a consequence of leavers, illness, holidays, equipment malfunction / breakdown, peaking or growth of work volume within the operations, re-prioritizing of significant amounts of sampling work.
Ensuring that the workforce is sufficiently motivated, skilled, and properly trained to meet the operational needs of the business. It is the post holder’s responsibility to inform the Operations Manager of continual resourcing difficulties and, or, operational problems.
Ensuring at all times that a high degree of accuracy and precision is applied to sampling/surveying through incorporating and promoting good sampling practice principles. And for ensuring that work throughput is followed in accordance to documented methods and procedures. It is the post holder’s responsibility to inform the Operations Manager of any failure in compliance to documented methods.
Providing technical advice and support to the site staff as required, on technical or operational problems, acting in a ‘trouble shooting’ capacity to subordinates.
Communicate and report any staff issues to the Operations Manager which may include punctuality, attendance and training issues.
Supporting the Operations Manager in organizing and participating in client visits, and general client related technical discussion.
Participating in disciplinary and grievance meetings
Conduct regular meetings with Operations Manager and Daily Meeting with subordinates and staff to discuss job expectations; planning, monitoring, appraising, and reviewing job contributions.
Liaise with the Operations Manager to ensure that equipment is maintained
Oversee materials and inventory management
ABOUT US
Alfred H Knight is a totally independent, family owned business spanning five generations. A global network of strategically placed offices and laboratories enable global trade providing independent inspection, analysis an consultancy services to the metals and minerals, solid fuels and agriculture industries.
We have honed and carefully crafted our reputation. Delivering knowledge and professionalism in all aspects of weighing, sampling and analysis. We thrive by continuing to re-invest in our facilities, technology and people. Click here to find out more about AHK.
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
To be successful at Alfred H Knight the incumbent will need to display the following:
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND WORK EXPERIENCE
Required Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
Ability to demonstrate literacy and be numerate
Excellent ability to delegate responsibilities while maintaining organizational control of branch operations and customer service
Trained in conflict management and effective interpersonal skills
Knowledge of general business software and aptitude to learn new applications; proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Good interpersonal skills
To be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing
Demonstrate ability to lead
Can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal
Ability to work from own initiative with minimum supervision
Adaptable and flexible.
Demonstrate good attention to details.
To be able to work in a team.
Good timekeeping.
Energetic and a self-starter
Must have sober habits
No criminal record
Commitment to safe work practices
Must have own transport and a valid driver’s license
Required Work Experience
5-10 years’ experience in Chemical Field
5-10 Years’ experience in a Management position including managing / leading a group of people.
Knowledge of the different laws (Labour, Safety etc)
3 Years minimum experience in Commodity Surveying, specific to metals and minerals commodities
Required Qualifications
Tertiary Operations Management, Business Management, Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering Qualification
Management Certificate would be an advantage
Knowledge of sampling methodology
Highly proficient in English (verbal and written)
Must be computer literate – Microsoft Office Suite
Required Languages
Fluent in English communication
BENEFITS
We are offering an excellent opportunity with a salary and benefits package to match
Alfred H Knight is committed to creating a diverse & inclusive environment and hence welcomes applications from all sections of the community in line with our Employment Equity Plan.
