Operations Manager Cape Town

Job Title: Operations Manager  

Location: Cape Town CBD  

Permanent/Contract: Permanent  

Start Date: 4 March 2024  

Who are we?  

The Service Dining Rooms was founded in 1935 by Doris Syfret for the purpose of caring for Cape Town’s most vulnerable people. The need for the Organisation arose during the Great Depression of the 1930s when a significant proportion of workers in Cape Town had continuing difficulty finding regular work.  

Well into the next century, the work of The Service Dining Rooms continues and is made possible by the contributions of volunteers and donors. Nourishing weekday meals are cooked and served on the premises and food supplies, meals and support are provided to other at-risk communities.  

Are you a well experienced Operations Manager working within the Non-Profit sector?  

What would you do?  

An exciting opportunity has become available for the position of Operations Manager to join our team. This role reports to the Board of The Service Dining Rooms. (SDR)  

The Operations Manager ensures that everything runs smoothly from one day to the next. The Operations Manager oversees the programmes within the Organisation and provides maximum support to the small team of staff so that the objectives are effectively and efficiently met.     

Key responsibilities of the position include:  

Operations:  

• Oversee the Organisation's primary function, providing full support to staff so that the Organisation’s objectives are effectively and efficiently met.  
• Problem solve and assist the team with issues to streamline day to day operations.  
• Supervise operations in accordance with the Organisation’s policies and applicable South African laws.  
• Serve as the primary point of contact with employees, clients and beneficiaries, donors, volunteers and the Board.  
• Manage overall operations and be responsible for the effective and successful management of productivity and quality control. Maintain a safe and healthy work environment by establishing, following and enforcing standards and procedures.  
• Comply with legal regulations.  

Governance, Compliance and Reporting;  

• Run and coordinate regular staff meetings.  
• Maintain accurate records reporting to the Board, compiling minutes from board meetings.   
• Write a monthly operational report for submission to the Board.  
• Serve as the representative on regulatory issues.  
• Comply with legal regulations and requirements.   
• Ensure a timeous, quorate and effective AGM takes place with accurate minutes distributed to all relevant parties. Submit all relevant material to The Department of Social Development to ensure ongoing compliance.  

Fund Raising:  

• Ensure sustainable funding by identifying appropriate sources and submitting appeals and proposals of a high standard to both existing and prospective donors timeously, assisted by the Treasurer on the Board.  
• Human Resources:  
• Manage attendance reporting, leave management, staff wages, hours of work and the submission of finance data on a weekly basis. Keep the staff files up to date.  
• Hire and train new and existing employees. Plan, assign and direct work, discussing with employee’s their performance appraisals, addressing employee performance and corrective action plans. Maintain employee motivation. Submit bonus recommendations to the Board.  
• Review, amend and update or create policies.  

Finance:  

• Manage relationships with key operation vendors and track vendor pricing and service levels.  
• Review all operational invoices and ensure they are submitted for payment.  

General:  

• Assist the chairperson and offer support when needed.  
• Attend meetings with other local organisations specifically with those working within the vulnerable groups sector, local government and other similar stakeholders.  

Qualification and experience:  

• A minimum of three years ‘experience as an Operations Manager or a similar role.  
• A relevant tertiary qualification would be advantageous.  
• Having the appropriate technical skill and understanding would be valuable.  

Knowledge and skills:  

• Strong leadership skills and management experience, in particular, conflict management.  
• Practical and critical thinking skills.  
• Professional engagement with all stake holders-staff , clients/beneficiaries , donors, volunteers, government departments both local and national and Board members.  
• Deadline oriented.  

Core competencies:  

• Client focus- maintain and improve already existing excellent relationships.  
• Achieve results consistently, even under difficult circumstances.  
• Collaborate- build on the already sound partnerships and work collaboratively with all stake holders to meet objectives.     
• Resilience.  

Behavioral competencies /Personal skills:  

• Stress tolerance-ability to manage the daily demands with determination and courtesy.  
• People management-empathy, active listening, initiative, understanding, maintaining and improving knowledge of the clients/beneficiaries we serve.     
• Organisation insight-understand the complexities  of the NGO and NPO environment, as well as understand the complexities of the clients SDR serves.   
• Problem resolution and assisting the team with issues to streamline day to day operations.  

If you would like to become part of this well-established NGO, working specifically with the homeless community please send your CV, letter of motivation and your current or recent INCOME level to karen@sdr.org.za .  

• Certified copies of your qualification’s certificates will only be requested if interviewed.  

Closing date for applications: 24 November 2023.  

If you have not heard from    SDR by 8 December 2023, please consider your application unsuccessful.