Professor in Operations Management x1
Job Details
- Position: Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor / Professor in Operations Management
- Job ID: 6451
- Institution: University of the Free State
- Faculty and Department: Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
UFS Business School - Campus: University of the Free State
- Contract Type: Permanent Position
- Occupational Level: Middle Management
- Closing Date: 28 May 2026
- Starting Date: 01 August 2026
- Application Method: Applications must be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website:
- UFS Careers Portal
Job Description
The UFS Business School is recruiting an experienced academic professional in Operations Management for appointment at:
- Senior Lecturer,
- Associate Professor, or
- Professor level.
The position focuses on:
- Teaching Operations Management
- Supply Chain Management
- AI integration in business operations
- Business optimisation
- Research and postgraduate supervision
- Industry engagement and consultancy
The successful candidate will contribute to academic excellence, research development, executive education, and strategic leadership within the Business School.
The role particularly values expertise in:
- Strategic Supply Chain Management
- Artificial Intelligence in Operations
- Business Process Optimisation
- Sustainable Operations Management
Main Responsibilities
Teaching and Learning
The successful candidate will:
- Lecture Operations Management at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
- Teach related fields such as:
- Supply Chain Management
- AI in Operations
- Business Optimisation
- Develop high-quality teaching materials and learning resources
- Contribute to executive education and micro-credential programmes
Postgraduate Supervision
- Supervise:
- PGDip students
- MBA students
- Master’s students
- PhD students
- Support postgraduate research development
Research Responsibilities
- Conduct high-quality research in:
- Operations Management
- Supply Chain Management
- AI-driven business operations
- Business optimisation
- Publish in accredited national and international journals
- Present research at conferences
- Participate in interdisciplinary research initiatives
- Apply for research funding
For Professor level:
- Lead major research initiatives
- Build international research reputation
- Drive high-impact research projects
Programme Development and Industry Engagement
The candidate will:
- Develop and present short-learning programmes (SLPs)
- Participate in curriculum and programme enhancement
- Engage with industry stakeholders
- Provide consultancy services through the Business School
- Promote sustainable and innovative operations practices
Academic Administration
Responsibilities include:
- Setting and marking assessments
- Recording marks
- Handling student complaints and queries
- Participating in academic committees
- Performing duties assigned by the Director
Leadership and Community Engagement
- Mentor students and junior academics
- Participate in community training initiatives
- Contribute to the strategic growth of the Business School
- Build partnerships with industry and external organisations
Minimum Requirements
Senior Lecturer Requirements
Applicants must have:
- A PhD (NQF Level 10) in:
- Business Management,
- Business Administration, or related field
- Strong focus in:
- Operations Management
- Supply Chain Management
- AI in Operations
- Business Optimisation
- Teaching experience at university level
- Research publication record
- Experience supervising Master’s students
- Conference presentation experience
- Potential for NRF rating
- Industry expertise in operations or supply chain fields
Associate Professor Requirements
Applicants must additionally demonstrate:
- Experience as postgraduate external examiner
- Ability to generate third-stream income/funding
- Editorial board experience
- National research recognition
- NRF rating (C3 or equivalent) or eligibility
- Strong publication record
- Proven Master’s supervision experience
- Participation in scholarly societies or research agencies
Professor Requirements
Applicants must additionally demonstrate:
- Significant research portfolio over the past 8 years
- International academic recognition
- Editorial board membership of international journals
- Experience supervising doctoral students
- Keynote conference presentation experience
- Research leadership and public engagement
- Ability to secure external funding
- Strong industry and consultancy experience
Recommended Skills and Experience
Preferred candidates should have:
- Minimum 3–5 years relevant industry experience
- International collaboration experience
- Strong industry engagement and funding track record
- Experience in higher education leadership
- Data analysis skills using:
- IBM SPSS
- AMOS
- PLS
- Professional body membership
- Knowledge of:
- Global supply chain trends
- Sustainable operations practices
- Digital transformation
- Contemporary business education methods
Key Competencies
Strategic and Professional Skills
- Strategic thinking
- Strong organisational ability
- Attention to detail
- Adaptability in changing environments
- Ability to manage multiple responsibilities
Technical and Business Skills
- MS Office proficiency
- Understanding of operations and supply chain trends
- Knowledge of sustainable business practices
- Curriculum innovation ability
- Research and funding development skills
Leadership and Interpersonal Skills
- Leadership and motivation ability
- Team collaboration
- Networking and relationship building
- Negotiation and influencing skills
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit:
- Detailed CV
- Certified qualifications
- SAQA accreditation (for foreign qualifications)
- ID/passport copy
- Employment confirmation or recent payslip
- Supporting documentation required by UFS
Benefits
Subject to university conditions:
- Pension scheme
- Medical aid
- Housing allowance
- Group life insurance
- Leave benefits
- Study benefits
- Service bonus
Contact Information
For enquiries:
- Tel: 051 401 2558
- Email: ManzanaL@ufs.ac.za
- Email: Recruit@ufs.ac.za