Senior Operations Manager

Yara International is seeking an experienced Senior Operations Manager Africa to lead and optimize its operations across multiple African markets. Based in Dar es Salaam, this strategic leadership role is responsible for overseeing end-to-end operational performance, ensuring reliable supply, cost efficiency, product quality, and compliance with safety, health, environmental, and regulatory standards. The successful candidate will also support regional operational improvement programs and strategic projects across both Africa and Asia.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for an accomplished operations leader to work with one of the world's leading agricultural companies. The role involves driving operational excellence, leading multi-country teams, managing large-scale capital projects, and implementing best practices that enhance productivity, efficiency, and long-term business growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead Heads of Operations across African markets and ensure consistent implementation of operational directives.

• Develop and execute the regional operating plan aligned with business strategy, budgets, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

  

• Manage operational costs across Africa within approved budget allocations.

• Coach, mentor, and evaluate country and site leaders to strengthen operational performance and continuous improvement.

• Standardize operating procedures, governance processes, and escalation protocols across all markets.

• Oversee operations planning to balance demand, supply, and production capacity.

• Drive Operational Excellence initiatives, including implementation of the Yara Productivity System (YPS) and monitoring of operational objectives.

• Ensure the availability of raw materials and packaging through effective forecasting and inventory planning.

• Maintain compliance with Yara operational standards, HESQ procedures, and industry best practices.

• Collaborate with Procurement and Supply Management to optimize contracts, logistics, customs clearance, and supplier performance.

• Ensure products consistently meet quality specifications and regulatory requirements through robust quality assurance systems.

• Maintain readiness for internal, customer, and regulatory audits.

• Standardize quality documentation and operational processes across all sites.

• Identify operational improvement opportunities and support implementation at country sites.

• Lead the Capital Value Process (CVP) for African operations projects and establish project prioritization frameworks.

• Support successful execution of capital investment projects and define CAPEX requirements.

• Develop long-term infrastructure strategies covering terminal capacity, storage, operational efficiency, and distribution networks.

• Partner with Finance to secure approvals for strategic capital expenditure projects.

• Promote an ethical, inclusive, and high-performance organizational culture.

• Develop asset utilization performance frameworks to improve operational returns across Africa and Asia.

• Improve third-party warehouse performance by implementing best practice operational processes.

• Support strategic operations and improvement initiatives across Asia.

• Drive operational improvement programs outlined in Yara's HESQ & Operations Roadmap.

• Perform additional operational and project responsibilities as assigned by senior leadership.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a related discipline.

• Master's degree or MBA is an added advantage.

• Minimum of 10–15 years of leadership experience in manufacturing or operations management, including responsibility for multiple sites or countries.

• Strong experience managing operational budgets and profit-and-loss (P&L) performance.

• Proven experience leading capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects.

• Demonstrated expertise in change management and operational transformation.

• Strong knowledge of relevant regulatory and quality management frameworks such as OSHA, ISO 45001, ISO 9001/22000, GMP, and environmental regulations.

• Excellent leadership, strategic planning, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills.

• Legal authorization to live and work in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, or Tanzania.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official Yara International careers portal using the link below:

Application Deadline: 14 August 2026

Conclusion

The Senior Operations Manager Africa position at Yara International offers a unique opportunity to lead large-scale operations across multiple African markets while contributing to regional initiatives in Africa and Asia. If you have extensive experience in operations leadership, strategic project management, and continuous improvement, this role provides an excellent platform to advance your career with a global industry leader. Be sure to submit your application before the closing date.