Principal Specialist: Operations

When it comes to putting people first, we're number 1. The number 1 Top Employer in South Africa. Certified by the Top Employer Institute 2025. Role Purpose/Business Unit: This role is responsible for ensuring effective partnership management, governance, compliance, and operational excellence within the Terminals Business Unit. The role oversees the implementation of governance frameworks, partnership contract management, processes, and controls to support efficient execution of the business strategy, ensure regulatory and policy compliance, and optimise operational performance. It drives cross-functional coordination, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance profitability, efficiency, and sustainable growth across the Terminals operations. In Summary: Robust contract partnership management to ensure contractual KPI/ deliverables are met for Vodacom to receive the necessary compensation Implementation of governance controls, compliance frameworks and adherence monitoring controls to support efficient execution of the business strategy and ensuring regulatory, policy compliance and operational performance Manage, govern and track Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), SPIVS (or other incentives) and related investments Lead and manage complex and cross-functional projects as required related to revenue generation and/or cost management Your responsibilities will include Partnership & Contract Management Manage and govern partnership contracts, including annual contracts and special project contracts. Negotiating, executing and monitoring terminals partner agreements and related adherence and performance to contract deliverables. Provide support to portfolio, sales, commercial, aftercare and logistics teams on negotiations and contracts. Ensure contractual KPIs and deliverables are tracked and met, supporting revenue and payment targets. Governance & Compliance Implement and maintain governance frameworks, risk management, and compliance policies across Terminals. Ensure adherence to regulatory, policy, and internal control requirements. Prevent financial discrepancies through regular reviews and robust controls. Develop and implement a framework for supplier spend, ensuring that governance structures and processes are implemented to protect direct supplier investment, mitigate revenue leakage and drive channel efficiencies to support the achievement of sales targets. Monitor and approval of monthly supplier incentives (SPIVS) and supplier investments with terminals and channel. Provide governance for terminals business processes and manage approval process for all incentives (including monthly trading incentives) and agreements. Operational Excellence Identify breaches in processes and implement the necessary fixes to drive process improvements and operational efficiencies. Implement reporting and performance monitoring including key metric tracking across Terminals against business KPI’s and project deliverables to inform decision making (for example OEM investments, revenue streams). Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance profitability, efficiency, and sustainable growth. Project Management Lead special projects, new revenue stream initiatives (e.g., Trade-in, One Number) or other initiatives. Coordinate cross-functional teams to support and execute against approved projects. Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration Collaborate with cross-functional teams (internal and external to Vodacom), including sales, finance, operations, and products and services to align strategies. optimise revenue and operational performance. Collaborate with marketing teams to develop customer-facing promotional activities. Prepare and present performance to commercial, sales, regional and management teams partnership performance, channel spend, and performance analysis aligned to KPI target trackers (PDs). The ideal candidate for this role will have: Matric essential and Relevant 3-year Degree or National Diploma in Commerce or related field essential and A minimum of 8 years relevant experience essential in: Contract partnership management Implementation of governance controls, compliance frameworks and adherence monitoring Supplier incentive management. Manage complex and cross-functional projects Knowledge: Understanding of the telecoms and terminals industry and key value drivers within the industry and market. Commercial Acumen: Understanding of the market trends, industry dynamics to help identify opportunities and mitigate risk. Decision making support: Understand the full terminals value chain, distinct analytical and systematic thinking and the ability to execute on the strategic plan. Governance and compliance control knowledge Partner and contract management Skills: Process engineering and optimisation skills Stakeholder management and competent in building relationships, communicating and influencing at all levels within and outside an organisation Project Management skills Reporting skills Strong analytical skills We make an impact by offering: Enticing incentive programs and competitive benefit packages Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fibre connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies Closing date for Applications: 08 December 2025. The base location for this role is Vodacom, Midrand Campus. The company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion. #J-18808-Ljbffr