Operations Manager CDE – Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa x1

• Company: Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA)
• Position: Operations Manager CDE
• Reference Number: CCB260630-10
• Job Category: Cold Drinks Equipment
• Location: Bloemfontein, Free State
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Closing Date: 25 August 2026

Job Overview

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee the full lifecycle of Cold Drinks Equipment (CDE) operations in the region.

The successful candidate will lead maintenance operations, cooler movements, warehousing, spare-parts management and fleet operations. The role focuses on ensuring that equipment and other assets are effectively utilised, service levels remain high, and operational risks, downtime and losses are minimised.

This is a senior operational leadership role suited to a technically experienced manager with strong people-management, analytical, budgeting and customer-service capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Field Services & Maintenance

• Lead regional field-services teams and ensure high-quality, cost-effective customer support.
• Ensure planned and corrective maintenance is completed according to required standards and timelines.
• Reduce equipment downtime, repeat service calls and interruptions.
• Manage third-party contractors and ensure compliance with service and quality standards.
• Maintain customer service levels and implement Customer Service Management (CSM) plans.
• Ensure accurate administration of maintenance, refurbishment and equipment-movement activities.
• Monitor costing reports and provide operational insights to the Technical Services Manager.
• Oversee fleet utilisation, safety, vehicle image and accident investigations in accordance with company policies.

Warehouse & Distribution

• Support warehouse and logistics teams in maintaining sufficient cooler availability.
• Ensure cooler deliveries are completed accurately and on time.
• Work towards zero returns and outstanding orders.
• Ensure coolers are protected and maintained in good condition during transportation.
• Manage delivery exceptions effectively.
• Conduct asset verification and maintain accurate asset records.

Spares & Inventory Management

• Ensure accurate stock control across satellite stores and technician vehicles.
• Monitor and optimise model stock levels.
• Balance spare-parts availability with cost efficiency.
• Analyse stock-usage trends.
• Conduct regular stock audits.
• Maintain the integrity of inventory-control processes.

Performance & Operational Leadership

• Set and review performance targets with field-services and logistics teams.
• Analyse performance gaps and implement corrective actions.
• Drive continuous operational improvement.
• Maintain high standards for:
  • Customer service
  • Delivery performance
  • SLA compliance
  • Quality
  • Safety
  • Housekeeping
• Ensure teams consistently meet operational objectives.

Budgeting & Cost Control

• Develop annual operational expense budgets in line with financial guidelines and business plans.
• Involve team members and customers in the budgeting process where appropriate.
• Align budgets with operational priorities.
• Monitor actual expenditure against approved budgets.
• Identify and address budget overruns.
• Implement corrective action plans where required.
• Apply a disciplined, benchmark-driven approach to financial management.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

Candidates should have:

• A Technical or Engineering qualification.
• A qualification in Refrigeration, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering will be advantageous.
• 5–8 years’ operational management experience.
• Experience within one or more of the following environments:
  • Field services
  • Technical operations
  • Logistics
  • Equipment management
• Proven experience in:
  • Maintenance operations
  • Warehousing
  • Fleet management
  • Asset control
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong planning and organisational abilities.
• Budget-management experience.
• Valid driver’s licence.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• Customer-focused approach.
• Operational discipline.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to manage multiple operational functions simultaneously.
• Strong communication skills.
• Stakeholder-management abilities.
• Budget and cost-control skills.
• Maintenance and asset-management knowledge.
• Problem-solving and corrective-action planning.
• Commitment to safety, quality and compliance.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be an experienced operational leader who can balance technical service delivery, logistics, asset management, customer satisfaction and financial performance.