Operations Manager - South Africa
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, ZA, 6070

At Vestas, we #PowerTheSolution – Can you?
Region MED > SBU MED Service > South Africa, Area Site EC
At Vestas, we design, manufacture, install, and service wind turbines across the globe. With more than 40 years of leadership in wind energy and over 200 GW installed worldwide, we are committed to delivering sustainable energy solutions that shape a greener future. We are now looking for an Operations Manager to lead our service operations in Gqeberha, ensuring safe, efficient, and high‑quality execution across our South African fleet.
Responsibilities
- Lead technicians, supervisors, and support functions to deliver high‑quality maintenance operations
- Manage operational performance across KPIs: availability, LPF reduction, quality, productivity, and cost control
- Ensure strong customer relationships and meet all contractual obligations
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across service sites
- Lead planning, scheduling, and resource allocation processes
- Oversee operational budgets, forecasting, and reporting
- Support recruitment, performance management, and employee development
- Collaborate with regional functions (Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, HSE, Finance)
Qualifications
- 5-8 years of experience in operations management, field service, or industrial maintenance
- Proven experience in managing technical teams in a high‑risk industrial environment
- Strong understanding of maintenance methodologies and operational processes
- Excellent English skills (spoken and written)
- Proficiency in MS Excel and general data‑driven reporting tools
- Valid driver's license
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technical Management, or related field
- Experience in wind turbine operations or renewable energy sector
- Knowledge of South African labor legislation and workforce management
Competencies
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, coach, and engage technical teams
- High commitment to safety culture and compliance
- Strong problem‑solving and root‑cause analysis capability
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced operational environment
- Excellent stakeholder and customer relationship management
- Solid planning, scheduling, and organizational skills
- Financial acumen and ability to control operational budgets and costs
- Continuous improvement mindset and openness to new ideas and processes
- Effective communication and conflict‑resolution skills
What we offer
- A key leadership role in a growing renewable energy market
- Opportunities for internal career development across Africa & Middle East
- Access to Vestas global training programs, including GWO certifications
- Competitive compensation package aligned with South African market standards
- Inclusive, diverse, and collaborative workplace culture
- Health insurance, retirement benefits, and paid time off
Additional information
We look forward to receiving your application as soon as possible, as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. To apply for this opportunity please submit your resume in English.
At Vestas, we are committed to equality. Make your talent count with us!
#EqualityForAll #InclusiveWorkplace #SustainabilityGoals #TalentForChange #WindEnergy
Our commitment to a fair hiring.
At Vestas, we evaluate all candidates solely based on their professional experience, education, and relevant skills. To support a fair recruitment process, we kindly ask that you remove any photos, dates of birth or graduation, gender pronouns, marital status, or other personal information not relevant to the role before submitting your CV/resume. Your CV/resume should focus on your professional and educational background, along with the necessary contact details (email and phone number). We train our hiring teams in inclusive evaluation and regularly review process outcomes to ensure fairness.
DEIB Statement
At Vestas, we recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in driving innovation and success. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, particularly those who may hesitate due to their identity or feel they do not meet every criterion. As our CEO states, "Expertise and talent come in many forms, and a diverse workforce enhances our ability to think differently and solve the complex challenges of our industry". Your unique perspective is what will help us powering the solution for a sustainable, green energy future.
BEWARE – RECRUITMENT FRAUD
It has come to our attention that there are a number of fraudulent emails from people pretending to work for Vestas. Read more via this link, https://www.vestas.com/en/careers/our-recruitment-process
About Vestas
Vestas is the energy industry’s global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We are specialised in designing, manufacturing, installing, and servicing wind turbines, both onshore and offshore.
Across the globe, we have installed more wind power than anyone else. We consider ourselves pioneers within the industry, as we continuously aim to design new solutions and technologies to create a more sustainable future for all of us. With more than 185 GW of wind power installed worldwide and 40+ years of experience in wind energy, we have an unmatched track record demonstrating our expertise within the field.
With 30,000 employees globally, we are a diverse team united by a common goal: to power the solution – today, tomorrow, and far into the future.
Vestas promotes a diverse workforce which embraces all social identities and is free of any discrimination. We commit to create and sustain an environment that acknowledges and harvests different experiences, skills, and perspectives. We also aim to give everyone equal access to opportunity.
To learn more about our company and life at Vestas, we invite you to visit our website at www.vestas.com and follow us on our social media channels. We also encourage you to join our Talent Universe to receive notifications on new and relevant postings.