Port Elizabeth: Services Manager – Mercantile Life Healthcare

Services Manager | Port Elizabeth | Permanent Play a pivotal role in ensuring a hospital environment that operates seamlessly, safely, and efficiently. This is an opportunity to lead critical support services that directly impact patient care and operational excellence. Reporting to the Hospital Manager, the Services Manager is responsible for coordinating and managing internal support services and multiple outsourced service providers within a large hospital environment. The role focuses on quality delivery, cost control, compliance, and people leadership, ensuring that all soft services support the hospital’s clinical objectives and patient experience. You will oversee a diverse portfolio including catering, cleaning, security, hygiene, pest control, waste management, laundry, and other essential services. Success in this role requires strong stakeholder engagement, rigorous SLA management, sound financial oversight, and visible leadership across multidisciplinary teams. The organisation is a well-established healthcare provider operating in a highly regulated environment, with a strong focus on quality standards, governance, and continuous improvement. The culture values accountability, ethical leadership, and collaboration across functions. What You’ll Do Manage and monitor external service providers against agreed SLAs and performance metrics Drive quality assurance, audits, and compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards Lead budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and capex planning for soft services Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners Lead, develop, and motivate large operational teams Identify service gaps, trends, and improvement opportunities to enhance efficiency and quality Ensure facilities are consistently maintained in a clean, safe, and operational state What You Bring A relevant degree or national diploma at NQF level 7 3–5 years’ experience managing soft services or integrated facilities management Proven experience leading large teams and managing outsourced service providers Strong knowledge of SLA, contract, and budget management Understanding of health and safety legislation and quality management systems Healthcare sector experience is advantageous What Success Looks Like Consistent service delivery aligned to quality and compliance standards Strong supplier performance with measurable cost and efficiency gains Engaged, high-performing teams aligned to organisational values A hospital environment that supports excellent patient and staff experiences