Operations Manager
ARVO · Cape Town · ZAR 55,000/month (stated in the posting)
Operations Manager
Cape Town, Western Cape | Hybrid | Full-time
Salary: Approximately R55,000 per month, depending on experience
Job Overview
Our client is a fast-growing financial services business supporting online businesses across the US. They help entrepreneurs build more profitable and sustainable businesses through a range of growth-focused services.
They are looking for an Operations Manager to take ownership of how the business runs day to day — from systems and processes to cross-team handovers, reporting, automation and operational performance.
This is a hands-on operations role for someone who enjoys getting into the detail, identifying what is slowing a business down, and actually fixing it. You’ll work closely with different teams and leadership, make operational decisions, build better systems and use data and technology to improve how the business operates.
This is also an opportunity for someone who is ready to take a meaningful step up in their career, with a clear path towards Senior Operations Manager.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and continuously improve day-to-day operational systems, processes and quality standards.
- Identify bottlenecks, manual processes and recurring problems and implement practical solutions.
- Make operational decisions and ensure work is delivered on time and to the required standard.
- Determine which performance metrics matter and build reporting and dashboards that give leadership clear visibility.
- Maintain accurate data across systems and turn operational data into concise, actionable insights.
- Lead cross-functional projects that improve the customer and client experience.
- Identify ownership gaps between teams and help create clarity around responsibilities and priorities.
- Coordinate teams through new initiatives, launches and operational changes.
- Own the selection, implementation and adoption of operational tools across the business.
- Use automation and AI to reduce manual work, improve efficiency and minimise errors.
- Build internal tools and solutions where an off-the-shelf product isn't the best option.
- Work proactively on the business's technology and automation roadmap, with a 6–12 month view.
- Oversee office and facilities-related operations.
- Improve internal processes around onboarding, retention and employee progression.
- Support research, documentation and continuous improvement initiatives across teams.
AI, Automation & Technology
- Our client has an AI-first approach to operations. AI isn't simply used as an additional productivity tool — it is actively used to build internal systems and software.
- You'll work regularly with tools such as Claude, GitHub, VS Code, Railway, Notion, Google Sheets, Looker Studio and Asana.
- You don't need to be a software engineer or have a computer science background. What matters is that you're genuinely comfortable learning and working with technology. You should be the kind of person who can clearly describe a problem, use AI to help build a solution, test it and get it into the hands of the team.
- If you haven't worked with GitHub, VS Code or similar tools before but are naturally curious and willing to learn, that attitude is more important than having every tool already on your CV.
Who Should Apply?
This role would suit an operations professional who is ready for greater ownership and influence. You don't need to have already held a senior operations title, but you should have a strong track record of improving processes, solving operational problems and taking ownership without needing to be constantly directed.
You'll thrive if you:
- Naturally look for ways to automate or simplify repetitive work.
- Prefer building systems over repeatedly solving the same problem.
- Are comfortable using data to understand problems and make decisions.
- Enjoy working across different teams and connecting people, systems and information.
- Are curious about technology and excited by the potential of AI.
- Don't get overwhelmed by ambiguity — you enjoy figuring out messy problems.
- Take initiative and are comfortable being accountable for outcomes.
Growth Path
The successful candidate will join as Operations Manager, with a clear progression path towards Senior Operations Manager.
As you grow into the senior role, your responsibilities will expand to include leading multi-department initiatives, establishing company-wide AI and automation standards, coaching other managers and taking greater ownership of operational budgets and business performance.
What Success Looks Like
Within your first 90 days, you will:
- Have a strong understanding of how the business operates and where improvements are needed.
- Fully own at least one operational area.
- Have delivered at least one tangible improvement through automation, simplification or improved visibility.
- Be comfortable working within the company's AI and technology stack.
Over time, you will:
- Make operations measurably more efficient through fewer manual processes, reduced errors and faster turnaround times.
- Ensure important performance metrics are visible and actively used to drive decisions.
- Improve collaboration and handovers between teams.
- Give leadership better information and insights to support stronger business decisions.
Our Client's Values
The business values people who demonstrate:
- DIY Mentality: Proactively tackling challenges through initiative, resourcefulness and self-direction.
- Productive Communication: Communicating clearly and collaborating effectively.
- Performance Accountability: Taking ownership of goals and delivering results.
- Grit: Persisting through challenges and setbacks.
- Quirky: Bringing individuality, creativity and fresh ideas to the way you work.
Requirements
Must have:
- 3+ years' experience in an operations role, working closely with delivery teams and leadership.
- Experience leading people, teams or contractors.
- Working knowledge of SQL, with the ability to pull and manipulate your own data.
- Experience working with integrations, APIs and connecting different tools or systems.
- Genuine interest in using AI as part of your everyday workflow.
- Willingness to become hands-on with tools such as GitHub, VS Code and Railway.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
- Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- A proactive, action-oriented approach — you prefer to ship a good solution this week rather than wait for a perfect one next quarter.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Nice to have:
- Experience with Looker, Looker Studio, Snowflake, Power BI or similar reporting/BI platforms.
- Experience with automation tools such as Zapier, Make or Google Apps Script.
- Hands-on experience with Claude, GitHub, VS Code or Railway, including personal or side projects.
- Experience using Asana, Jira, ClickUp or similar project management platforms.
- B2B software or SaaS experience.
- An analytics, engineering, business or finance background.
- Scrum Master or PMI certification.