Senior Manager: Competitiveness Improvement Services

About the Position

Preference will be given to affirmative action candidates or designated groups in line with Productivity SA's Employment Equity targets. The Senior Manager CIS is responsible for:

• Exercise oversight over the implementation of the Workplace Challenge Programme (WPC) and oversee all CIS programme related matters. Oversight and support provided must facilitate the achievement of the goals of WPC as expressed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), related Business Plans and the Productivity SA Annual Performance Plan (APP). Furthermore, the incumbent will monitor regional level implementation of the programme and report in line with the MoU between the DTIC (the funder) and Productivity SA.

• Exercise oversight over and report* on the implementation of activities related to the CIS APP targets as well as competitiveness improvement initiatives at regional level. *(Reporting will be done against the backdrop of the Annual Performance Plan (APP) and its CIS related objectives.)

• Lead, at an operational level, initiatives aimed at the development and continuous improvement of the Productivity SA Way of Doing Business.

• Co-ordinate and facilitate monitoring- and evaluation (M&E) related activities, the integration of M&E related data, and the dissemination of such information to relevant stakeholders and clients.

The fixed term contract duration would be 5 years.

Duties & Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor the implementation of Enterprise Development and Competitiveness Improvement strategies, frameworks and related products and services aimed at unlocking, improving and sustaining the productivity growth and competitiveness of business entities, industry sectors and the economy at large.

• Liaise with Executive Manager: Regional Operations regarding (a) the implementation of strategies, frameworks and related products and services, (b) feedback on strategy implementation challenges and constraints, (c) needs and requirements in respect of new and/or revised frameworks and related products and services.

• Develop and continuously enhance the 'Productivity SA Way of Doing Business', the operations framework for the implementation of Enterprise Development and Competitiveness Improvement strategies.

• Monitor and gather performance related data in respect of all aspects related to the implementation of Enterprise Development- and Competitiveness Improvement related initiatives including adherence to the 'Productivity SA Way of Doing Business'.

• Provide functional/technical guidance and advice related to the CIS Programme to Head Office and Regional staff as and when required.

• Manage the implementation/execution of the WPC MoU. This includes liaison with the funder (DTIC) on matters relating to implementation progress and/or implementation challenges. Coordinate the Joint Committee Meetings and Expert Committee Meetings.

• Provide support and input to the EM: CIS in the development and continuous review and updating of Productivity SA's strategic plans, Annual Performance Plan (APP), Business Model, Value Proposition, and related strategic documentation aimed at positioning Productivity SA as a Centre of Excellence and strategic business partner.

• Assist in the development and implementation of strategies for commercialising Enterprise Development- and Competitiveness Improvement related products and services in order to generate revenue.

• Assist in the compilation and submission of proposals to stakeholders for the purpose of securing funding for CIS related initiatives and interventions within a business entity, an industry sector, or the economy at large.

• Represent Productivity SA at events hosted by stakeholders and clients in order to create awareness of Productivity SA's service offering.

• Establish and maintain a comprehensive client- and projects database to facilitate (a) the monitoring of performance in respect of the implementation of CIS Programme (including WPC) business plan implementation and (b) performance reporting and feedback to in-and external stakeholders (including the DTIC) and clients.

• Manage the process of (a) impact assessment aimed at determining the 'value added' contribution of CIS interventions and (b) the documenting case studies and 'success stories' on completion of interventions.

• Participate, as a leader or member, in ad-hoc regional-, cross-functional- and strategic projects as required by the EM: CIS.

Desired Skills:

• Business strategy formulation

• Kaizen/Continuous improvement

• Reporting

• Stakeholder Relations

• Managerial Skills

• Work plans

• LEAN

• Six Sigma

• Theory of Constraints

Desired Experience & Qualification

EDUCATION:

•

Min: Post-Graduate qualification in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management or Business Management or Commerce or equivalent.

• Min: Diploma or Certificate in Project Management.

• Ideal: Masters' in Business Administration or -Leadership (MBA or MBL)

EXPERIENCE:

• Min: At least eight (8) years' experience within a commercial, business operational , or business consulting environment with extensive project or programme management focus.

• Min: Experience should include:

o Developing and implementing strategies, operational plans and processes / practices aimed at improving operational efficiency and business performance;

o Drafting proposals for the purpose of securing support, financial or otherwise, for planned initiatives or interventions;

o Facilitating group problem solving sessions aimed at solving business plan implementation related challenges, operational implementation challenges, and/or product- or service improvement challenges;

o Developing the capacity and capabilities of staff to implement specific methodologies and practices aimed at improving operational efficiency and performance;

o Providing coaching and mentoring based support to staff involved in the implementation of new methodologies and related practices and processes;

o Monitoring and managing the execution of projects / implementation of strategic- and operational plans;

o Providing an economic/business consulting service to clients where such service is aimed at facilitating inclusive and sustainable growth and development.

ADVERSE WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Business travel utilising own vehicle, which may require being away from home.

• Work overtime as per business demands.

Package & Remuneration

R 1,105,383 total cost to company per annum

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

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