Principal Specialist IB Markets

Job Description

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As we strive to improve our business effectiveness across the Vodacom Group, we understand the need to utilise our scale and synergy benefits in a more efficient and effective way. Given the supply chain complexity, scale, pace and ambitions of the Vodacom Group, our Pan Africa Supply Chain Strategy aims to deliver and execute on these deliverables by introducing a group focused approach across IB markets on the African continent.

Role Purpose/Business Unit:

• Develop and deliver SCM group transformation programmes, which empowers IB markets to unlock latent intrinsic value benefit both local and global stakeholders.
• Ability to support centrally led complex and high value negotiations as well as lead local tactical negotiations by applying creative models, leveraging various cost programs (D2C) and using various behavioural techniques to achieve best commercial outcome for the Vodacom Group.
• Establish technology territory-specific sourcing programme strategies across the IB Markets, while maximising opportunities for standardisation and economies of scale.
• Drive SCM performance and strategic programmes across IB markets.
• Accountable for delivering world-class process performance and unmatched user experience while proactively mitigating risk along our Pan African supply chain processes.
• Design and continuously improve SCM processes and policies and ensure delivery across IB markets
• Collaborate with the supply chain leadership, local heads of SCM and other key stakeholders across our IB markets to develop a Process Strategy Roadmap and transferring the strategic vision into execution and measurable results, keeping IB markets accountable.

• Act as a catalyst for the successful adoption of Key Supply Chain “needle-moving” process improvement that result in efficiencies, effectiveness and standardization.
• Proactively maintain an external industry perspective through SCM Benchmarking and best practice, thus engaging with industry peers and other relevant players in the market to identify best practices and implement them across the process landscape.
• Finding continuous improvement opportunities and delivering projects with the goal to establish a world-class supply chain.
• Delivery of identified category strategies, spend and savings targets.
• Joint working with Category and Enablement teams across the One SCM community.
• Balance the needs of local market budget holders, suppliers and third parties in line with broad compliance as outlined by the Pan Africa Supply Chain Strategy.
• Co-ordinate and implement VPC purchasing protocols as required across the IB markets.
• Proactively maintain an external industry perspective through SCM Benchmarking and Best Practice, thus engaging with industry peers and other relevant players in the market to identify best practices and implement them across the process landscape.
• Requires commercial awareness and knowledge of the industry in order to contribute to the commercial objectives of Vodafone Group.
• Demonstrates robust understanding of business identifies and prioritises stakeholders, builds sustainable relationships to drive increased business performance and best value outcomes.

Your responsibilities will include:

Transformation and programmes

• Develop and deliver SCM technology transformation programmes, which empowers IB markets to unlock latent intrinsic value benefiting both local and global stakeholders.
• Establish and ensure the effectiveness of (and adherence to) project governance framework for SCM transformation initiatives and strategic programmes across the Vodacom IB Markets.
• Design, develop and execute technology transformation programmes utilising Group scale deriving synergy benefits efficiently and effectivel

Technical

• Requires broad and comprehensive understanding of SCM and technology technical concepts, principles and best practice in a multi-territory, multi-national operating company context.
• Requires an in-depth knowledge of the telecoms industry and how the SCM function contributes to operating efficiency, quality and profitability.

Performance Management

• Drive full alignment around SCM strategic plans taking into consideration global / local business outlooks, group strategic plans, and customer insights.
• Monitor process performance and compliance against KPIs and health versus plans for all SCM related processes,
• Synchronize process improvement plans across IB markets with policy owners, and other process owners within the value chain and other interfacing processes.

Centre of Excellence and Business Support

• Support and foster collaboration across all Vodacom IB markets, including Vodafone (VPC).
• Ensure and support coordinated planning on key IB markets SCM transformation programmes, delivered via the Group SCM Strategy

Core competencies, knowledge, and experience:

• Strategic planning and execution.
• Proven ability to lead virtual and cross-functional teams to translate strategic goals into actionable plans.
• Ability to make critical decisions derived from key insights.
• Continuously push the boundaries of business to unlock intrinsic latent value for the benefit of all stakeholders.
• Stakeholder relationship management at senior level.
• Strong leadership presence, with proven ability to present to senior leaders.
• Ability to communicate complex subjects in a simple way.
• Effective problem-solving skills, able to process high volumes of complex information, synthesise key themes and issues, and recommend actionable responses to opportunities and threats.

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

• Supply Chain/Finance or Engineering Diploma or Degree
• 5- 7 years telecom experience

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: 11 July 2025

The base location for this role is Midrand, Vodacom 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.