Jaco van Zyl
@jacovanzyl
Senior operations and HR leader specializing in multi-branch management, procurement, and labour-relations excellence.
NamibiaWhat I'm looking for
I’m a senior operations and HR management professional with over 10 years of leadership experience across retail, petroleum, agriculture, renewable energy, and warehousing. I’ve built my career around running operations end-to-end—while strengthening people, compliance, and performance.
As a Regional Manager at Savannamart Retail Group, I directed operations across 4 branches, leading a combined team of approximately 52 staff and managing a stock portfolio of N$6–9M per branch. I standardized controls to improve accountability, including a dual-signature receiving procedure, and I kept inventory accuracy strong through IQ Retail ERP-led procurement and stock control.
In my role as Director and Head of HR at Phakene Petroleum Namibia, I held sole HR accountability across operations in 5 countries, supporting a workforce of 32 employees. I managed the full HR function independently, resolved 10+ labour disputes, and developed HR policies aligned with local labour regulations—while contributing to company-level strategic and operational decisions.
I also bring hands-on operational depth from supervising electrical and solar installation teams, managing farm operations and production targets, and overseeing warehouse receiving, storage, and dispatch. I’m bilingual in English and Afrikaans, and I’m committed to continuous staff development, disciplined cost control, and safe, compliant execution.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Regional Manager
Savannamart Retail Group
Jan 2022 - Feb 2026 (4 years 1 month)
Directed operations across 4 branches, leading a combined team of approximately 52 staff and managing a N$6–9M stock portfolio per branch. Oversaw procurement and stock control using IQ Retail ERP and led recruitment, performance management, and staff development while ensuring labour compliance.
Electrical & Solar Install Supervisor
SA Solar
Supervised installation teams and coordinated project execution for electrical and solar energy systems. Managed logistics and materials coordination and performed quality control on installation projects.
Director and Head of HR
Phakene Petroleum Namibia
Solely managed full-cycle HR across operations in 5 countries for a workforce of 32 employees, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and staff development. Resolved 10+ labour disputes and developed HR policies aligned with local labour regulations, contributing to company-level strategic and operational decisions as Director.
Farm and Operations Manager
Eendrag Farming
Managed day-to-day farm operations, staff, and resources to meet production targets. Oversaw budgeting, procurement, and operational planning for farm activities.
Warehouse Operations Supervisor
Visionware
Supervised warehouse staff and coordinated daily workflow to meet operational targets. Managed stock control processes (receiving, storage, and dispatch of inventory) and ensured compliance with health, safety, and operational standards.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
Shadonai
Health & Safety Representative Certificate, Health & Safety
2025 - 2027
Earned a Health & Safety Representative Certificate valid from March 2025 to 2027.
Cambridge International Qualifications / UniAthena
Executive Diploma, Human Resources Management
Completed an Executive Diploma in HR Management in May 2026.
Guglielmo Marconi University (Unimarconi)
Higher Diploma, Business Administration
Grade: 86%
Completed a Higher Diploma in Business Administration at Guglielmo Marconi University (Unimarconi) in July 2026.
Cambridge International Qualifications / UniAthena
Executive Diploma, Operations & Project Management
Completed an Executive Diploma in Operations & Project Management in May 2026.
Arnold Mol
Management Training
Completed a management training program in August 2025.
Agra Provision Academy
National Certificate, Advanced Farm Management
Completed a National Certificate in Advanced Farm Management in December 2022.
University of the Free State
LLB (studies completed), Law
2011 - 2013
Completed 3 years of LLB studies from 2011 to 2013 at the University of the Free State.
Tech stack
Software and tools used professionally
Availability
Location
NamibiaAuthorized to work in
Salary expectations
Job categories
Skills
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