Job Ref #: LBID_001
Industry: Aviation
Job Type: Permanent
Positions Available: 1
Safair Operations, operating as FlySafair has a vacancy for a Lead Business Optimisation Engineer at our Head Office in Bonaero Park. The successful applicant will report to the Manager: Business Improvement.
Job Description
- Lead and oversee complex, cross-functional business optimisation initiatives from concept through to implementation and benefits realisation;
- Guide project scoping, problem definition, data analysis, solution design, and implementation planning;
- Ensure optimisation and continuous improvement methodologies are applied consistently and in line with best practice;
- Review and challenge project outputs to ensure quality, rigor, and business relevance;
- Support team members in unblocking issues, managing risks, and navigating stakeholder complexity;
- Track, analyse, and report on project performance, value delivery, milestones, and risks;
- Identify and drive continuous improvement and automation opportunities that reduce cost, cycle time, and operational risk;
- Serve as technical guidance for optimisation methodologies, tools, frameworks, and standards;
- Provide solution and architectural input to ensure designs align with organisational architecture and technology standards;
- Assist and guide engineers in designing fit-for purpose, scalable, and sustainable solutions;
- Set direction for framework adoption and continuous evolution in alignment with organisational strategy;
- Ensure solutions meet quality standards defined within the Innovation / Business Optimisation environment;
- Provide hands-on coaching to engineers on analysis techniques, problem structuring, storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and solution design;
- Mentor junior and graduate engineers, supporting technical, professional, and leadership development;
- Assist with Onboarding and accelerating new team members’ effectiveness;
- Identify development needs and support creation of individual development plans;
- Facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions, training, and internal capability-building initiatives;
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and experimentation;
- Support the Business Optimisation Manager with team planning, prioritisation, and workload balancing;
- Act as first point of escalation for project-level delivery challenges;
- Contribute to resource planning, project allocation, and skills matching across initiatives;
- Keep track of projects using the organisation’s project management tools;
- Step in for the Manager when required to ensure continuity of delivery;
- Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
- Translate complex analysis into clear, compelling insights and recommendations;
- Influence decision-making by balancing analytical rigor with practical business realities;
- Drive proactive change management across initiatives;
- Engage with Business Improvement / Optimisation consultants and vendors to ensure alignment to standards and governance;
- Contribute to the development and execution of the Innovation roadmap within assigned areas;
- Provide input into building and maintaining a structured knowledge base for the function;
- Ensure appropriate training and capability development is enabled through modern e-learning and digital platforms.
Job Requirements
- Grade 12 or Equivalent (Essential);
- B.Eng Industrial Engineering (Essential);
- Post Graduate Degree (Advantageous);
- Minimum of 8 years’ progressive experience within business optimisation, continuous improvement, or operational excellence environments (Essential);
- Proven experience leading complex improvement projects end-to-end (Essential);
- Experience coaching or mentoring Engineers/Analysts (Advantageous);
- Expert in the areas of mathematical modelling, simulation modelling and optimization;
- Extensive knowledge of emerging industry practices when solving business problems;
- Expert in agile project management to lead projects that meet strategic goals;
- Stakeholder management;
- Project Management ;
- Able to handle sensitive and confidential information;
- Ability to keep one’s composure in a fast moving, dynamic environment;
- Problem solving and decision making;
- Strategic decision-making.
Personal Attributes:
- Ability to work in a team and independently;
- Internal and external networking;
- Integrity and honesty;
- Confidence;
- Passionate;
- Leadership skills;
- Communication;
- Results driven;
- Interpersonal skills;
- Strategic thinking skills.
Application guideline:
- Email applications will not be accepted;
- Preference will be given to members of under-represented designated groups;
- Should no feedback be provided within two (2) weeks from the closing date, please consider your application as unsuccessful.
FlySafair reserves the right:
- Not to proceed with this vacancy;
- To appoint the selected candidates based on its operational requirements.
Closing date: 13 July 2026