Area Manager – East London Area

Area Manager – East London Area

WE MAKE PATIENT CARE A PRIORITY. IF YOU DO, JOIN OUR TEAM TODAY!

PathCare is a partnership of pathologists in private practice across South Africa that has been assisting doctors and healthcare professionals determine and confirm diagnoses since 1923. We are registered with the HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa) and all our laboratories are SANAS accredited.

An opportunity exists for an Area Manager to oversee multiple pathology sites within the East London area which includes East London, Queenstown, Butterworth and King Williams Town. We require an experienced individual with a proven track record of managing and overseeing a number of geographically distributed clinical laboratories and depots. This track record must include motivating and engaging employees, responding to the service delivery needs of referring laboratories and positively interacting with stakeholders at all levels. The successful candidate should consistently align with as well as achieve and embody the PathCare purpose and values.

Key Competency Requirements

  • Minimum 3-year Clinical Medical Technology qualification (or equivalent, if applicant has a Medical Technician qualification with extensive technical experience) or a Professional Nursing Degree
  • Post graduate business degree/diploma is highly advantageous
  • Current registration with the HPCSA/SANC
  • Budgeting and finance knowledge
  • Knowledge and understanding of the health environment, as well as the Pathology Laboratory industry and systems
  • An advanced level of computer literacy and proficiency in MS Office applications
  • A practical understanding in integrating AI-enabled tools to streamline HR/Operational processes, ensuring consistency and efficiency across multiple sites
  • Minimum of 8 years’ management experience at laboratory manager level or equivalent
  • Proven laboratory management or equivalent experience with positive medical and business outcomes
  • Must be familiar with support department policies and procedures
  • Must have a proven track record of displaying values-based leadership abilities and outcomes
  • General management (e.g., planning, organising, leading and motivating people, other assets and resources, processes, financial systems and controls)
  • Experience in maintaining QA systems including SANAS audits
  • Experience in procedure development and implementation
  • Experience in staff training and development
  • Experience of critical review of business and/or laboratory processes/systems on a continuous basis and proactively address any shortfalls/gaps
  • Demonstrated the ability to solve challenging problems and thinks expansively to find solutions
  • Must have an acceptable track record/performance record with regard to the operational/technical and behavioural competencies required to perform in this position
  • Advanced interpersonal relations and conflict resolution skills
  • Effective verbal and electronic communication skills
  • Advanced administrative ability
  • Effective decision-making, planning and project management skills
  • Advanced analytical problem-solving ability
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Ability to work effectively under pressure and display drive, resilience and tenacity in challenging situations
  • Ability to foster trust through fair and consistent behaviours/actions, humility and compassion and an unwavering high regard for confidentiality
  • Ability to proactively and positively influence and motivate staff evoking a sense of purpose, effectively lead change management and focus on team building and conflict management
  • Ability to play a proactive and positive role in the performance management of staff which includes coaching and mentoring others by providing instruction, positive models and the opportunity to observe and learn
  • Presentation skills
  • Ability to understand and manage financial statements/materials management
  • Ability to interact with pathologists on any operational matter pertaining to these clinical laboratories

Key Responsibilities

Impact on the implementation of PathCare strategies & policies and managing operational resources

  • Provide strategic and operational planning input for the area operations together with Business Partner, and report progress and results to senior management
  • Execute and achieve PathCare strategies & policies within the area
  • Support and ensure adherence and implementation of PathCare policies, procedures and organisational structure, as well as statutory compliance and adherence to corporate governance
  • Implement strategic and special projects across the area
  • Implement and achieve operational excellence and transformation goals throughout Area, departmental and organisational levels
  • Elevate and professionalise business management and leadership thinking, ethos, processes, practices and outcomes

Impact on business systems, processes & operational effectiveness and efficiency

  • Ensure operational effectiveness and efficiency
  • Lead and direct the area
  • Drive and support long-term operational excellence and growth
  • Manage and optimize operational resources (financial, human & capital resources)
  • Provide monthly site-specific feedback to the BP/COO with regards to trends in numbers, profit and expenses
  • Schedule regular meetings with Zone Managers, Resource Manager, Nursing and Services Manager and CSOs to ensure all new problems/concerns are identified and managed.
  • Collaborate with managers across the region/Group and divisions to maximise the efficiency of the operations of the area/region/Group
  • In conjunction with the BP/COO, oversee technical procedure development and implementation
  • Critically review processes/systems on a continuous basis and proactively address any shortfalls/gaps
  • Implement project initiatives throughout the area, including LEAN processes

Harnessing the value of people

  • Proactively support and communicate the PathCare purpose and values which includes modelling mindsets, attitudes and behaviours aligned to the purpose and values
  • Implement and embody the one@PathCare organisational culture
  • Create a work environment which stimulates morale and the productivity of employees and drives employee engagement
  • Ensure open communication channels across all stakeholders i.e., up and down from staff to management
  • Foster trust through fair and consistent behaviours/actions, humility and compassion and an unwavering high regard for confidentiality
  • Build capacity and develop skills within the operational team (i.e., Laboratory Managers) by offering support, coaching and mentoring and by giving them clear objectives and work plans as well as keeping succession planning in mind
  • Manage and conduct performance reviews for all subordinates in the Area to drive strategic alignment within the organisation strategy and performance management framework, as well as create a culture of performance and customer focus
  • Play a proactive and positive role in performance management of staff which includes coaching and mentoring others by providing instruction, providing the opportunity to engage with positive role models and the opportunity to observe and learn
  • Engage in behaviours that will allow you to manage conflict in a proactive and professional manner
  • Successfully influence and motivate staff while effectively leading change and management initiatives and contributing to positive team dynamics
  • Ensure the talent management of core and critical skills which includes empowering employees so as to further develop a talent base that supports performance excellence and transformation
  • Support and ensure adherence and implementation of all HR initiatives, policies & procedures (including Employment Equity, Skills development, Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, etc.)
  • Ensuring/implementing a diversity friendly/inclusive workplace

Impact on Quality Management Systems

  • Manage, implement and review PathCare’s technical standards according to professional guidelines/SOPs, etc.
  • Liaise with discipline co-ordinators and local pathologists
  • Comply with Quality Management Systems and Accreditation requirements
  • Monitor & evaluate systems
  • Identify and comply with training requirements including personal development
  • Oversee supervision and training of students & new employees

Living the PathCare Value System

  • Embody and embed PathCare’s values

A comprehensive pre-selection and short-listing process will be followed. An in-depth and comprehensive selection process will thereafter follow for those applicants who succeed in the initial pre-selection and short-listing process.

Your contribution to the company will be rewarded with a market-related remuneration package which includes a retirement fund contribution and risk benefits (Group Life and Disability cover), annual bonus, competitive maternity benefits, health care allowance, discounted pathology tests, payment of HPCSA/SANC annual registration fees and developmental opportunities at the PathCare Training Academy.

Applicants who feel that they have the competencies and a proven track record as stipulated are required to complete the attached application form and submit this together with a comprehensive and compelling motivation and CV to lindyg@pathcare.net 

Closing date: Monday, 5th October 2026

Please note: by applying for this position, your application will be subject to verification checks of your driver’s licence, ID document, qualifications/proof of registration, credit and criminal checks if required. Candidates must be willing to participate in a rigorous evaluation process.

PathCare is committed to the pursuit of excellence and diversity in achieving our equity targets and the organisation’s approved Employment Equity plan will be considered as part of the talent acquisition process. All qualified candidates including people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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