Field Services Optimisation Manager, Johannesburg

Duties&Responsibilities The role involves a broad set of responsibilities focused on route planning and optimisation, work scheduling, client density and service frequency analysis, continuous improvement, technology enablement, and stakeholder engagement.

Route Planning and Optimisation

Design and implement optimised routing models for hygiene and pest control field technicians.

Analyse route efficiency using operational data such as travel time, fuel usage, service duration, and productivity.

Apply geographic clustering techniques to improve route density and reduce unnecessary travel.

Monitor adherence to planned routes and adjust plans in response to operational changes and service demands.

Work Planning and Scheduling Optimisation

Develop daily, weekly, and monthly work plans that prioritise high-value clients and contractual services.

Balance workloads across technicians to maximise utilisation and minimise idle time.

Align scheduling with service level agreements (SLAs), client expectations, and operational capacity.

Identify inefficiencies in planning practices and implement scalable, sustainable improvements.

Client Density and Service Frequency Analysis

Analyse client distribution to optimise territory design and improve client density per route.

Review service frequencies and recommend adjustments to improve profitability and service effectiveness.

Identify opportunities to consolidate low-density areas and improve route economics.

Support growth initiatives by aligning client acquisition strategies with operational capacity and route efficiency.

Continuous Improvement and Value Creation

Apply industrial engineering methodologies to identify cost‑saving opportunities related to fuel, labour, and time.

Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for route performance, technician productivity, and service efficiency.

Lead optimisation projects, including improvements to routing systems and scheduling tools.

Promote a culture of continuous improvement and data‑driven decision‑making within operations teams.

Technology and Data Enablement

Leverage routing and scheduling systems to improve planning accuracy and automation.

Analyse operational data such as service times, completion rates, and travel patterns to support decision‑making.

Collaborate with IT and Business Intelligence teams to develop dashboards and operational reports.

Support the implementation and adoption of digital tools that enhance field service efficiency.

Stakeholder Engagement

Work closely with Operations, Sales, and Regional Managers to align planning with business priorities.

Provide data‑driven insights to Sales teams on optimal client acquisition and territory strategies.

Influence operational teams to adopt standardised, optimised planning practices.

Present findings, insights, and recommendations to senior leadership and key stakeholders.

Skills and Competencies

Strong analytical and problem‑solving ability.

Planning and organising work effectively to meet operational goals.

Focus on delivering results and meeting customer expectations.

Ability to influence stakeholders and drive change across operational teams.

Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Route optimisation and scheduling tools.

Advanced Excel and data analysis skills (Power BI advantageous).

Industrial engineering techniques, including time and motion studies and process optimisation.

5–8 years’ experience in service‑based industries such as hygiene, pest control, or facilities management. Proven track record of delivering efficiency improvements or optimisation initiatives.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain, or a related field (essential).

Postgraduate qualification (advantageous).

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