South Africa General Manager

At the heart of a Group where every job has a meaning, we're looking for a General Manager in Johannesburg, South Africa.

At Petit Forestier Group, every employee is a talent. Through your expertise and skills, you'll help us to improve quality of life by mastering the cold chain.

Why join us?

• A dynamic and stimulating environment within the Group, with the ambition of becoming the world leader in sustainable refrigerated rental.

• A dynamic team ready to take on new challenges every day.

• Opportunities for development and continuous training, through an integrated E-Learning tool.

What will the role be about

Secure a smooth transition with the outgoing General Manager and endorse overall accountability whilst adhering to the Company’s strategy and procedures. The General Manager will be responsible for business development, operational performance, and profitability. He will be held accountable for the country’s P&L, for the quality of customer services and for employee engagement.

Key tasks for the General Manager will initially be to learn the fundamentals of a complex 24/7 operational model as quickly as possible, to understand the primary commercial, operational and financial drivers of the company, and to appreciate how the various parts of the business interact.

The General Manager represents Petit Forestier at national level in South Africa. Reporting to the Overseas region Director, he/she leads and coordinates the commercial, technical, operational and administrative teams across the country's depots, and is fully accountable for the budgeting exercise and the country's P&L as well as the quality and continuity of customer service.

The priority is to secure a smooth transition with the outgoing General Manager, and build on solid foundations to accelerate profitable growth, strengthen operational excellence and further develop the team. Given the geography and the relative distance from headquarters, the role carries a significant degree of autonomy and requires a leader capable of making sound decisions independently, while remaining aligned with Overseas region and Group strategy, standards and reporting requirements. Ultimately, the General Manager will endorse overall accountability for the country.

Working conditions

• Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, with regular travel across the country's depots.

• Significant autonomy in day-to-day decision-making, within the strategic framework set by the Overseas leadership team.

• Regular reporting and coordination with Overseas leadership team and Group central functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent the Company at national level; be the referent for legal, administrative and regulatory matters (operating licences, taxes, accounting, social, insurance, Health & Safety).

• Define and execute the country strategy in collaboration with the leadership team.

• Manage relationships with local stakeholders: authorities, service providers, headquarters, employees.

• Own the country P&L; build and deliver the annual budget and forecasts.

• Analyse KPIs and drive action plans to improve pricing, profitability and operational efficiency.

• Control customer payments and monitor accounts receivable / payable.

• Prepare monthly business reviews and ad hoc reporting.

• Implement and execute the commercial policy defined together with the leadership team; drive organic growth and new customer acquisition.

• Supervise the business development / sales team; review contract renewals and pricing policy.

• Enforce and respect contractual agreements.

• Continuously monitor customer satisfaction; investigate and correct causes of contract terminations.

• Identify local growth opportunities (new segments, partnerships) in line with Group strategy.

• Ensure the adequacy between service commitments and actions implemented for customers.

• Optimise fleet utilisation and availability; ensure compliance with OEM maintenance requirements and mandatory controls.

• Oversee workshop operations, control outsourcing costs and ensure outsourced job quality.

• Ensure application of Petit Forestier Fundamentals and Health & Safety rules across all sites.

• Maintain and develop a nationwide network of suppliers; negotiate SLAs and pricing.

• Build trusted, long-term relationships to guarantee service quality and cost efficiency.

• Lead, coach and develop the existing national team.

• Ensure a smooth handover with the outgoing General Manager and retain key talent during the transition.

• Define roles, salaries and training needs in line with Company policy, subject to leadership team approval where required.

• Foster engagement, accountability and a strong safety culture across the country team.

• Collaborate with region and Group central functions (Finance, HR, Fleet, IT) to support collective progress and initiatives.

Who are we looking for

• 10+ years of experience in operational or commercial leadership, including P&L accountability.

• Experience in a B2B service company, commercial vehicle rental, logistics or the refrigerated transportation industry is a strong plus.

• Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary teams (commercial, technical, operations, administrative).

• Prior experience running an established business unit or subsidiary is preferred (as opposed to a start-up / greenfield context).

• Master's degree or equivalent preferred.

• Fluent in English; knowledge of local languages or French is an asset.

• Excellent commercial insight and aptitude. Understands the company, its business model and the market. Strong negotiation and communication skills. Acts decisively. Strong drive for results and success, persists despite obstacles and opposition. Ability to achieve the goals that have been set through (pro) actively developing contacts with clients and other interested parties.

• Excellent service and client orientation. Able to gain trust from clients and is the type of person “who does what he says and says what he does”. Pragmatic and hands-on, enjoys working with clients. Does by himself and willing to take direct responsibility. Problem solving. Sets the example for others within the organisation and is able to propagate this mindset through dedication and enthusiasm. Happy to take responsibility within a 365 day a year operation.

• Strong understanding of business drivers and ability to manage a P&L with a clear focus on sustainable growth and profitability. Takes ownership of business performance, balances commercial opportunities with financial discipline, and drives initiatives to achieve agreed targets.

• An enthusiastic leader who can build a team, give directions and win people over to his side to achieve the targets and goals that have been set. Gives his/her team members mandate, motivates and inspires them to overachieve on their goals. Instils confidence. Honestly interested in people, empathic, but not afraid to take the necessary measures if the situation demands it.

What are we offering

We offer you a varied and versatile full-time position in a friendly team with a competitive salary. You will join a fast-growing company with committed employees and a family atmosphere. Are you enthusiastic, reliable, technically skilled and do you recognize yourself in this position? Then we look forward to receiving your application!

• Competitive salary

• Holiday pay

• Medical Aid

• Pension

• Career opportunities

• Training opportunities

You'll be part of a team that embodies the Group's values: passion, service, commitment and agility.

Petit Forestier Group is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion for all its employees. The company also offers a wide range of internal opportunities, depending on employees' projects: geographical mobility (in France or abroad), internal promotion, change of profession.

Petit Forestier Group, a job that makes sense.