58 Department Head jobs in South Africa

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Department Head to lead our Group Schemes division at AVBOB Group. This is a strategic leadership role focused on driving operational excellence, enhancing service delivery, and growing premium income through effective administration and team management.

You will be working for a well-established company with strong values. In exchange for your services, you will receive a competitive compensation package. You will be joining an organization that values employee development and rewards excellent performance.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Lead the Group Schemes department to ensure effective administration aligned with legislative requirements and AVBOB policies.
• Drive the strategic goal of increasing premium income through efficient systems and processes.
• Liaise with internal and external auditors, administrators, consultants, and senior management to ensure compliance and transparency.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve systems, processes, and procedures for accurate scheme administration.
• Evaluate and refine operational workflows using audit reports and exception reports (e.g., FG731, GR10).
• Draft specifications for system changes, test enhancements, and implement new programs.

• Ensure daily premium allocations and reconciliation of control accounts, finalising month-end with no outstanding premiums.

• Prioritise and resolve complex complaints and queries from policyholders, intermediaries, administrators, and consultants.

• Manage serious complaints, including those escalated to the FSCA and Ombudsman.

• Approve claims and payments within delegated authority limits and ensure accurate correspondence.

• Lead, motivate, and manage departmental staff to deliver on strategic and operational goals.

• Conduct quarterly performance appraisals and identify training needs for new and existing staff.
• Promote effective communication through regular team meetings and provide support in resolving complex issues.

• Manage disciplinary processes, counselling, and corrective actions in line with company policy.

• Compile daily and monthly operational reports for management and stakeholders.

• Extract and interpret statistical data to support strategic decision-making.
• Contribute to annual budget planning and monitor arrears for unpaid schemes.

• Provide accurate reporting to auditors, FSCA, and senior leadership.

• Qualifications: Grade 12 with 8–10 years' experience or a Diploma with 3–5 years' experience.

• Skills: Advanced MS Excel & Word, strong accounting knowledge, bilingual (English & Afrikaans).
• Advanced MS Excel and MS Word proficiency.
• Strong accounting knowledge (reconciliations, debits, credits).
• Proven experience in administration.
• Performance management (intermediate).
• Communication, Conflict management
• Leadership and people management
• Client service and telephone etiquette
• Fraud prevention skills

Equity Statement: We are committed to Employment Equity when recruiting internally and externally. It is company policy to promote from within wherever possible. "Preference will be given to suitably qualified individuals from previously disadvantaged groups in South Africa."

The ideal candidate would be responsible for:

• Managing the Value-Added Department with emphasis on production processes and optimizing production.
• Focus on standards in terms of quality, process flows, maintenance, volumes and food hygiene.
• Full responsibility for all labour related issues including ensuring that all positions are managed at all times.
• Dealing with all disciplinary matters appropriately and according to the company's disciplinary code.
• Continued interaction and communication with senior management.
• Maintaining and implementing 20 keys principles including Health & Safety of the department.

The successful candidate must meet the following requirements:

• Matric or equivalent qualification.
• PME/PMI qualification.
• Proven record of supervisory experience.
• Proven experience in large scale food production and processing plant.
• Poultry experience would be an advantage.
• Must be computer literate.
• Strong administrative, organizational, interpersonal and time management skills.
• Fluent in English and a second official language.
• The candidate should be hardworking, honest and self-motivated.
• Ability to cope under pressure and manage staff professionally.

Camperdown

Published Date: 09 September 2025

Closing Date: 30 September 2025

Astral, a leading South African integrated poultry producer, has a
Department Head
opportunity in County Fair, Epping

The purpose of the
Department Head
is to control production processes in line with production and food hygiene standards.

Required Qualification:

• Completed Grade 12 or equivalent qualification

Required Experience:

• Proven experience in a supervisory role
• Proven experience in large-scale food production and processing
• Computer literacy – MS Office
• Strong administrative, organizational, interpersonal and time management skills

Responsibilities:

• Full control of production processes and responsible for maintaining production standards in terms of quality, process flows, volumes and food hygiene
• Responsible for all labour-related issues, including ensuring that all positions are managed at all times
• Dealing with all disciplinary matters appropriately and according to the company's disciplinary code
• Continued interaction and communication with senior management
• Maintaining and implementing the 20 Keys principles, including Health & Safety of the department

Other Requirements:

• Fluent in English and a second official language
• Have the ability to cope under pressure and manage staff professionally
• Be hardworking, honest and self-motivated
• Must be prepared to work shifts, weekends, public holidays and overtime as required

We offer a competitive total cost to company salary package

Epping

Cape Town

Published Date: 08 September 2025

Closing Date: 23 September 2025

We are looking for a results driven Department Head to oversee daily operations and performance across five essential teams: Retention, Courtesy Calls, New Business Verification, Fraud Detection, and Retention Premium Administration. This role serves as a vital link between frontline Team Leaders and Senior Management ensuring high standards of service delivery, compliance and team performance.

You will be working for a well-established company with strong values. In exchange for your services, you will receive a competitive compensation package. You will be joining an organisation that values employee development and rewards excellent performance.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

• 
  

  Lead and support a team of Team Leaders across multiple units.

  
  


• 
  

  Conduct regular one-on-one sessions and act as an escalation point for staff matters.

  
  


• 
  

  Drive coaching strategies and performance discussions in collaboration with Team Leaders.

  
  


• 
  

  Foster a culture of employee engagement, accountability, and high performance.

  
  

• 
  

  Oversee daily workflow to ensure service levels and turnaround times are consistently met.

  
  


• 
  

  Manage workforce planning, leave schedules, and resourcing for optimal delivery.

  
  


• 
  

  Analyse department performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement improvement plans.

  
  


• 
  

  Ensure adherence to regulatory, quality, and compliance standards.

  
  

• 
  

  Address client and branch complaints not resolved at clerk level.

  
  


• 
  

  Take ownership of operational audits, fraud investigations, and risk assessments.

  
  


• 
  

  Compile department reports and communicate key insights to management.

  
  


• 
  

  Liaise with IT and other departments on system issues and improvements.

  
  


• 
  

  Handle escalations related to fraud, commission stops, and system discrepancies.

  
  

• 
  

  Grade 12 (Matric)

  
  


• 
  

  A relevant Diploma or Degree

  
  


• 
  

  5–10 years’ relevant experience

  
  


• 
  

  Proven experience in coaching, mentoring, and people development

  
  


• 
  

  Strong administrative and report-writing capabilities

  
  


• 
  

  Investigative and analytical thinking

  
  


• 
  

  Clear credit and criminal record

  
  

• 
  

  Advanced problem-solving and decision-making skills

  
  


• 
  

  Exceptional time management and organisational abilities

  
  


• 
  

  Excellent written and verbal communication

  
  


• 
  

  Strong leadership presence with a customer-centric mindset

  
  


• 
  

  Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook – Intermediate)

  
  


• 
  

  Ability to identify trends, process gaps, and drive operational improvement

  
  


• 
  

  Resilient, change-oriented, and deadline-driven

  
  

Equity Statement: We are committed to Employment Equity when recruiting internally and externally. It is company policy to promote from within wherever possible. “Preference will be given to suitably qualified individuals from previously disadvantaged groups in South Africa.”

Ensure all administrative processes are updated and followed as per requirements.

REQUIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION/TRAINING

• Grade 12

REQUIRED MINIMUM WORK EXPERIENCE

• 3 years relevant administrative experience

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• Handle all employee-related matters and correspondence for the branch.
• Check all documents received and direct them to the relevant working area.
• Oversee stock counting and investigate stock variances
• Run the price analysis report.
• Collect and process petty cash where applicable.
• Handle the cash control account and reconcile cash and make bank deposits.
• Report on all abnormal administrative situations.
• Ensure all filing is done timeously.
• Ensure compliance with the AFGRI control matrix (AFGRI policies and procedures).
• Assist the Branch Manager with administrative functions during his/her absence.
• Complete IOD reports.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE/ COMPETENCIES

• Good verbal and written communication
• Computer literacy (MS Office)
• Good customer service

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Willing to work additional hours when needed
• Stress management
• Customer orientation
• Disciplined
• Cooperation
• Interpersonal skills

Closing date: 15 September 2025

Please note that correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Applicants who have not heard from us within 30 days of the closing date may assume that their applications have been unsuccessful and are hereby thanked for their interest. The filling of these positions will be aligned to AFGRI's Employment Equity Policy

Applicants are informed that in order to consider any application for employment, we will have to process your personal information.

A law, known as the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA) provides that when one processes another's personal information, such collection, retention, dissemination and use of that person's personal information must be done in a lawful and transparent manner.

In order to give effect to this right, we are under a duty to provide you with a number of details pertaining to the processing of your personal information. These details are housed under the HR Processing Notice , which can be accessed and viewed on the AFGRI Group website, HR Processing Notice we request you kindly download and read.