Business Area Head: Acquisition Management at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Job Purpose 

• To champion policy frameworks and objectives with internal partners to ensure integration between functions in pursuit of strategic goals, develop annual and longer-term resource plan and secure capacity to achieve divisional objectives consistent with long-term strategic plan. Develop and oversee SARS procurement strategies, develop, implement and lead best practices which will ensure the effective sustainability of procurement initiatives embarked by SARS and to provide authoritative advice and guidance that supports the realisation of major organisational objectives in line with the SARS mandate.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

• Honours/ Postgraduate Diploma (NQF 8) in Procurement and/ or Supply Chain Management and 10-12 years' experience in the procurement of Facilities/Professional Services, of which 3-4 years at a middle management level.

ALTERNATIVE #

• Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Procurement and or Supply Chain Management (NQF 7) and 12-15 years' experience in the procurement of Facilities (CRE) / Professional Services, of which 3-4 years at a middle management level.

Minimum Functional Requirements

• Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) registration is an added advantage.
• Procurement Process Management (PPM) - Managerial (Intermediate) . Develops, improves and fulfils organisational and functional objectives in Procurement and supply. The establishment and modification of processes, strategies and control procedures will result from review and constructive challenge at each stage of the procurement process. The procurement process should have the appropriate strategic context and key elements: Demand Management, Sourcing, Supplier Performance & Measurement, Performance Management, Knowledge Management. Ensuring the effectiveness and continuing development of the procurement process in all phases from identification of business need through to performance measurement. Everyone involved in the process can contribute to value creation.
• Compliance to Procurement Principles and Legislation. Government issued the General Procurement Guidelines not only as a prescription of standards of behaviour, ethics and accountability which it requires of its public service, but also as a statement of Government's commitment to a procurement system which enables the emergence of sustainable small, medium and micro businesses which will add to the common wealth of South Africa and the achievement of enhanced economic and social well-being of all South Africans. Tenders in South Africa are measured on three principles, namely Functionality, Price and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE). An Enterprise's ability to execute a contract is measured through the Functionality Principal in the Tender Environment. If an Enterprise's tender response did not pass the Functionality test it can't be measured on Price and B-BBEE. Enterprises that respond to tenders must ensure that they will pass the Functionality test in order to advance.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Conduct high level and detailed cross functional research to ensure integration of acquisition management functions across all functional areas in SARS.
• Deliver on cost reduction commitments through the identification, development and execution of strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Develop internal control standards to improve compliance and mitigate procurement irregularities.
• Develop tactical strategy and delivery plans in support of functional objectives in partnership with leadership.
• Direct, control, coordinate and optimise budgeted resources to meet specific objectives and deliver agreed results and productivity requirements.
• Drive the culture of innovation by managing initiatives in support of monitoring, reviewing and improving acquisition management processes.
• Ensure that all stakeholders receive high level customer centric acquisition services through the application of high level of professional standards, knowledge and expertise.
• Ensure the development and implementation of multiple practices in alignment with operational policy and procedural frameworks.
• Evaluate operational capacity planning and risk management planning and make recommendations for changes in order to achieve strategic objectives.
• Identify and recommend opportunities to continuously improve all functions and systems in line with national, regional and organisational changes.
• Identify and recommend opportunities to continuously improve all functions and systems in line with national, regional, and organisational changes.
• Lead practices that will ensure the implementation of effective acquisition management practices in an ethical manner in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Lead the development and execution of a performance driven supplier management process resulting in structured feedback and measurement.
• Monitor and report on progress, relevant issues and risks impacting deliverables and take corrective action where necessary.
• Plan for handling work outputs, pull together interdependent activities and specify priorities, standards and procedures to ensure tactical excellence.
• Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives; driving best practice solutions.
• Provide periodic reports on performance against plan and progress on medium-term initiatives and use to realign operating plan and objectives appropriately.
• Provide strategic direction and alignment of the Acquisition Management Strategy and execution thereof in line with business objectives.
• Realign the procurement function and strategy towards business and organisational strategies.
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, policies and procedures, and direct the implementation of change and innovation initiated by the organisation.
• Timeously communicate top-down policy modification, objective achievement progress and critical success factors to impacted stakeholders.
• Use the insights gained through integrated business reports to measure success and realign tactical strategy development objectives appropriately.

Governance

• Implement governance, risk, and compliance policy in own practice areas to identify and manage governance and risk exposure liability.
• Manage and or advise on the translation and application of policy in a specific functional area.

People

• Create a positive work climate & culture to energise employees & give meaning to work, minimise work disruption and maximise employee productivity.
• Develop & implement appropriate people capacity plans in line with delivery & efficiency targets, on budget & in partnership with specialised areas.
• Plan & develop enhanced organisational efficiency by identifying and addressing development requirements & providing tools for people resources.
• Translate performance expectations into specific metrics and goals to identify and provide effective services, solve problems, and achieve objectives.

Finance

• Draw up a budget aligned to business unit delivery plans, monitor planned vs. actual, minimise expenditure and report on cost efficiency.
• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of accountability

Client

• Build strong relationships and develop service level agreements that promote SARS with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and ensure implementation of practices which builds service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional client service.
• Manage an integrated service excellence culture, which builds rewarding relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty and Integrity
• Respect
• Trust 

Leadership Competencies

• Ability to translate strategy into execution
• Concern for Impact of own behaviour on others
• Develops teams and nurtures interdependency
• Inspires others to Positive Action
• Nurtures Future Talent
• Stewardship and Service Orientation
• Strong Results Orientation
• Values and Manages Diversity

Technical competencies

• Business Acumen 
• Change Management
• Decisiveness
• Effective Business Communication
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Governance, Ethics and Values
• Managerial Budgeting
• Negotiation Skills
• Planning and Organising
• Planning, Management and Measurement
• Problem Analysis and Judgement
• Procurement Knowledge
• Supply Chain Management

Deadline:4th March,2026