Branch Manager (Non-Destructive Testing)

Purpose of the role

The Branch Manager holds end-to-end responsibility for the operational, financial, commercial and people performance of the branch. The incumbent will drive revenue growth and client retention, ensure all projects are executed in accordance with contractual and regulatory requirements, maintain the branchs certification and accreditation standing, and build a high-performing, safety-conscious team aligned to Group values.

Key Responsibilities

Operational leadership
Perform core managerial functions - planning, organising, leading, controlling and monitoring - with a high degree of autonomy
Prepare and present weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual operational performance reports
Implement systems and policies ensuring every project is executed in line with the purchase order, contract and quotation
Identify and mitigate operational and project risks to safeguard organisational integrity
Conduct effective Root Cause Analysis and implement corrective and preventative actions
Proactively manage suppliers, conduct evaluations and identify improvement opportunities

Project and contract lifecycle management
Manage the full lifecycle of awarded projects and contracts from mobilisation to close-out
Maintain an up-to-date register of pipeline and executed projects, including commercial terms, key stakeholders and timelines
Coordinate and mobilise internal stakeholders to ensure successful project execution
Track projects against timelines, deliverables and budgets, and prepare monthly project reports
Maintain all project records on Zoho, or any other platform adopted by the Company
Commercial and business growth
Drive sustainable growth of the entity through new opportunity identification, market expansion and diversification initiatives
Convert enquiries into secured work at or above the branch conversion target
Consistently identify opportunities to upsell and cross-sell services and solutions
Establish and maintain strong, long-term client relationships built on a superior customer experience
Develop and execute strategic marketing and client growth initiatives
Collaborate with technical teams to provide expert advice and support on service offerings
Build and maintain strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Financial management
Report into Group Finance on all financial matters, submitting complete and accurate branch results within aligned reporting deadlines for consolidation purposes
Prepare and analyse monthly management accounts, forecasts and financial reports
Manage budgets, cost controls and expenditure across all branch projects
Conduct monthly audits of debtor reconciliations, resolving queries and complex matters promptly
Ensure timely allocation of receipts, claims and credit notes, and proactively collect outstanding debt
Implement systems ensuring invoices are issued timeously with all supporting documentation obtained from customers
Control costs, mitigate financial risk and meet cash flow targets
Participate in the planning and budgeting process with a specific focus on growth initiatives
Drive cost-effective operating structures, efficiency, waste reduction and scalable processes
Compliance, quality and safety
Ensure the branch and all projects are executed in accordance with applicable legislation and regulations
Maintain all company, personnel and equipment certifications in a current and audit-ready state
Uphold the branch quality management system and support internal and external audits
Ensure full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and client site requirements

People and culture
Lead, develop and retain the branch team, including technicians, supervisors and administrative staff
Manage resource planning, deployment and utilisation across projects and client sites
Drive performance management, development planning and skills advancement within the branch
Create and maintain a positive work climate that energises employees, minimises disruption and maximises productivity, aligned to Group values

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications
National Diploma or Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Metallurgy, etc.), Operations Management, Business Management or a related discipline
SAQCC NDT certification Level II or Level III in one or more methods (UT, RT, MPI, DPI) highly advantageous
Valid Code B drivers licence
Postgraduate qualification or management development programme advantageous

Experience
Minimum 58 years experience in the NDT, inspection, integrity or broader engineering services environment
Minimum 35 years in a branch, operations or project management capacity with profit and loss accountability
Demonstrated track record of revenue growth and client portfolio expansion
Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary technical teams across concurrent projects and client sites
Sound working knowledge of contract administration and project cost control
Experience operating within a quality-accredited environment [ISO 9001 / SANAS ISO/IEC 17020 / 17025]
Proficiency in ERP or project management platforms

Competencies
Commercial acumen and financial literacy
Strong leadership presence with the ability to hold teams accountable
Sound judgement and decisiveness under operational pressure
Excellent written and verbal communication, including report writing at executive level
Client-centric approach with strong negotiation and relationship-building ability
Analytical and structured problem-solving capability
High personal standards of integrity, safety and quality

Additional requirements
Willingness to travel to client sites and to work extended hours during shutdowns and outages