Managing Director (Durban Based)

Robert Walters is a global, specialist professional recruitment consultancy. "Our story begins in 1985, when our CEO, Robert Walters, opened the first office in Central London. Rob has led the company ever since and has the same passion and commitment today. Over the last 30 years the business has grown and so has our ambition. We now operate across 27 countries and employ over 3,000 people. It’s a powerful success story built on the strength of our people. Organizations rely on us to find high quality professionals for a range of specialist roles. Professionals who are looking for a new role, whether it’s on a permanent, interim or contract basis, trust us to find them their ideal job. I believe that Robert Walters is something special. But I and others in the company never forget that the most important person to us is you - whether you’re a hiring manager or a job seeker." Giles Daubeney, Deputy CEO, Robert Walters A leading organisation in Durban is seeking a Managing Director to guide its strategic vision and operational excellence. This is an exceptional opportunity for you to step into a pivotal role where your expertise will shape the future of a respected industry player. The company values collaboration, accountability, and dedication, offering a family-oriented environment that encourages inclusivity and teamwork. As Managing Director, you will be empowered to drive growth, foster innovation, and nurture a supportive culture while enjoying performance-based incentives and a competitive compensation package. If you are passionate about building strong teams and delivering outstanding results, this position offers the platform to make a lasting impact. Take charge of a well-established printing business with a reputation for quality and reliability, providing you with the opportunity to influence its continued success and expansion. Enjoy working in a family-oriented environment that prioritises collaboration, inclusivity, and professional development, ensuring you feel supported as you lead the team. Benefit from performance-based incentives and a comprehensive rewards package designed to recognise your achievements and commitment to organisational excellence. As Managing Director, you will play an integral role in shaping the strategic direction of the organisation while overseeing all aspects of its operations. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve collaborating closely with senior management to develop actionable plans that drive growth and profitability. You will champion operational excellence by implementing efficient systems, monitoring performance metrics, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Building a supportive team culture is central to this role; you will mentor staff members, encourage professional development, and promote open communication across departments. Your ability to nurture client relationships will be essential as you represent the organisation at industry events and pursue new business opportunities. In times of crisis or challenge, your adaptability will help steer the company towards positive outcomes. Success in this position requires balancing strategic vision with hands-on involvement in daily operations while embodying the values of inclusivity, accountability, and teamwork. Develop and execute long-term strategies that align with business goals and objectives, ensuring sustainable growth within the printing industry. Identify new market opportunities and expand the organisation's market share by leveraging industry insights and fostering innovative approaches. Oversee daily operations across all departments to ensure efficiency, high-quality standards, and cost-effectiveness in every aspect of production. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) regularly to ensure targets are met and implement systems that enhance productivity throughout the business. Manage budgets, financial planning, and forecasting processes to maintain profitability while driving cost-saving initiatives without compromising quality. Ensure compliance with financial regulations and reporting requirements by maintaining accurate records and transparent communication with stakeholders. Build a cohesive team culture that emphasises accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement through mentorship and guidance. Foster professional development opportunities for employees at all levels by supporting training programmes and encouraging knowledge sharing. Maintain strong relationships with existing clients while actively pursuing new business opportunities through effective networking and negotiation skills. Act as the primary decision-maker during critical situations or crises affecting the business, demonstrating flexibility in resolving challenges effectively. The ideal candidate for Managing Director brings extensive experience from senior leadership positions within manufacturing or industrial environments. Your academic background provides a solid foundation for understanding complex business dynamics while your practical experience managing large-scale operations demonstrates your ability to oversee multifaceted projects. You possess advanced financial skills necessary for budgeting, forecasting, and cost control—ensuring profitability remains at the forefront of decision-making. Your approachability makes it easy for colleagues at all levels to connect with you; this is complemented by your commitment to nurturing talent through mentorship programmes. You thrive on building strong relationships both internally among staff members and externally with clients or partners. When faced with adversity or unexpected challenges, your resilience shines through as you calmly guide teams toward solutions. Ultimately, your proven track record developing strategic plans that drive growth sets you apart as an inspiring leader who embodies values such as inclusivity, accountability, empathy, and teamwork. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management or related field is required for this leadership position. Minimum 10 years' experience in senior leadership roles within manufacturing or industrial sectors demonstrates your depth of expertise. Proven track record managing large-scale operations with complex supply chains highlights your organisational capabilities. Exceptional financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, cost management ensures you can maintain profitability while driving growth. Ability to develop and implement strategic plans that deliver measurable results reflects your commitment to organisational success. Hands-on approach combined with willingness to support colleagues at all levels fosters a collaborative work environment. Strong sense of ownership paired with dedication to achieving both personal and professional goals underpins your reliability. Excellent interpersonal skills enable you to build relationships across all levels of the organisation as well as externally with clients. Resilience under pressure allows you to navigate challenges calmly while maintaining composure during critical situations. Experience mentoring teams and promoting professional development supports ongoing learning within the business. Please send CV to View email address on myjobmag.co.za