General Manager

We are seeking a senior engineering and commercial leader to head up the South African business of a global engineering organisation. This is a hybrid engineering, operations, and digital transformation leadership role with full P&L responsibility. You will lead engineering design and delivery, modernise the operating model through technology, automation and AI, and drive profitable growth and operational excellence. This role suits a technically credible leader who can balance engineering rigour with commercial and transformation outcomes.

• Engineering & Development Leadership (Foundational)
• Full P&L & Business Ownership
• Technology, AI & Transformation Leadership
• Operational Excellence & Labour Optimisation
• Strategic Growth & Advanced Thinking
• Leadership & Organisational Development

• Strong background in engineering design and development environments (automotive or similar complex engineered products).
• Credible technical leader able to engage deeply with engineers and customers.
• Understanding of CAD-based design, development life cycles, and delivery constraints.

• Proven experience leading technology-enable transformation in engineering or technical organisations
• Strong exposure to automation, digital systems, AI, and data-driven operating models
• Ideally suited to a CTO/CIO mindset but grounded in engineering execution

• Possible Consulting background strongly preferred, with experience bringing new thinking into operating businesses.
• Experience from mid-sized consulting or technology firms (±80–100 employees), not large bureaucratic corporates.
• Must have owned the profit and loss of a business and demonstrated consistent financial results improvements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (BEng) or related technical field.
• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification advantageous.

• On-site role based in Cape Town.
• Flexibility required to support international collaboration and meetings.

Kindly note that by submitting your application for this career opportunity, you agree that Guardian Recruiting may use your application for the purpose of the recruitment and selection of the said position, and this information may be shared with the relevant stakeholders in the business.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should you not have heard back within a two-week period, please assume that your application was unsuccessful.

All job postings are in accordance with our Client's BEE requirements. Please only send certificates when requested to do so.