ROLE TITLE: Senior Director, QSE Ops, SA GEOGRAPHIES RESPONSIBLE: SOUTH AFRICA FUNCTION: AFRICAOU TECHNICAL, INNOVATION & SUPPLY CHAIN (TI&SC) REPORTS TO: SENIOR DIRECTOR, QUALITY, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT LEAD, AFRICA Scope & Impact As the QSE Operations Senior Director, this role commands comprehensive operational and strategic leadership over Quality, Safety, Environment, and Technical Risk across South Africa, shaping the future direction of the operating geography. The Senior Director ensures that all operational environments—including manufacturing, distribution, marketplace, route‑to‑market, and supply chain—consistently exceed global QSE governance standards, safeguarding business continuity and driving sustainable growth. Strategic Responsibilities QSE Vision & Strategy Leadership: Architect the AOU QSE Strategic Roadmap, setting ambitious long‑term priorities for Quality, Safety, Environment, and Technical Risk. Portfolio & Resource Optimization: Drive high‑level prioritisation of QSE investments across all markets, influencing senior leadership in resource allocation for capability building, digital transformation, and infrastructure advancement. Governance & Compliance Excellence: Lead the implementation of KORE QSE governance and ensure full regulatory alignment across all operational sites. Champion QSE by Design principles throughout product, packaging, and process innovation. Health, Safety & Culture Transformation: Direct the end‑to‑end Health & Safety governance framework, embedding global standards and fostering a Zero Is Possible culture. Environmental Sustainability Stewardship: Lead operational improvement of environmental KPIs, focusing on water management, energy efficiency, CO₂ reduction, and waste minimisation. Technical Risk & Business Continuity Leadership: Formulate and execute long‑range QSE risk strategies using predictive analytics and emerging‑risk modelling. Oversee the Technical Risk Management Framework and ensure robust alignment with global ERM/TRM programs. Franchise & System Leadership: Serve as the principal QSE strategic advisor to Bottler CEOs and system leadership, shaping system‑wide QSE policies and driving capability development across all markets. Key Success Parameters Operational Governance & Compliance Ensure 100% alignment with KORE, TCCC governance models, internal policies, and regulatory requirements across QSE disciplines from ingredient to marketplace. Embed compliance routines, internal audits, and validation processes. System Performance & Continuous Improvement Establish and manage system‑wide performance models, benchmarks, and KPIs for QFS, H&S, water, energy, and risk. Use predictive analytics and digital tools for visibility and proactive issue management. Apply lean methodologies, data‑driven decisions, best‑practice replication, complexity reduction, and digitalisation (e.g., Picasso, Coke Works) to drive operational excellence. Lead technical response, resolution, and root cause analysis for QSE IMCR. Culture, Capability & Leadership Lead the geography's long‑term QSE strategic roadmap, driving culture transformation and embedding safety, quality, and environmental mindsets across all levels. Develop future QSE leaders, foster talent in critical bottler roles, and operate as a pivotal member of the geography's Leadership Team. Technical Risk & Business Continuity Deploy a structured QSE risk management approach across manufacturing, distribution, innovation, sustainability, and supply chain. Operationalise critical ingredient BCP readiness across bottlers and OU functions. Environmental Stewardship in Operations Implement operational elements of the AOU Water Risk Framework, including end‑to‑end water supply and quality management. Drive energy efficiency improvements and support decarbonisation projects at the plant level. Ensure environmental reporting integrity and compliance. Network Leadership & Stakeholder Management Implement aligned QSE operational strategies with Bottling Partners, Supply Chain, R&D & Innovation, and CPS. Experience & Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Environmental Science, Safety, or a related technical field (master's preferred). Experience 15+ years in QSE, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or Technical Leadership roles. Proven track record in large‑scale operational QSE leadership, risk management & crisis response, safety and/or quality culture transformation, environmental performance improvement, leading diverse teams, and working with bottling partners and franchise systems. Capabilities & Skills Mastery of QFS governance & compliance, Health & Safety management systems, environmental operations (water, energy), risk management (TRMF/ERM), IMCR/BCP, data analytics & reporting, operational excellence & CI methodologies. Strong influencing and negotiation capabilities, with the ability to translate technical concepts into business impact. Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, and digital literacy with integrated QSE systems. Location(s): South Africa City/Cities: Johannesburg Travel Required: 0% - 25% Relocation Provided: No #J-18808-Ljbffr