Head of IT - SA Commercial (JHB North) at Aspen Pharma Group

OBJECTIVE OF ROLE

• To provide vision and leadership for developing, implementing, and supporting information technology initiatives aligned to business strategies; leading a multidisciplinary team with overall accountability for end-to-end IT related platforms, systems and services.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Planning:

• Participate in strategic and operational governance processes of the business organization as a member of the senior management team from an IT perspective.
• Lead IT strategic and operational planning to achieve business goals by fostering innovation, prioritizing IT initiatives, and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future IT systems for the business unit.
• Develop and maintain an appropriate IT organizational structure that supports the needs of the business unit.
• Establish IT departmental goals, objectives, and operating procedures.
• Identify opportunities for the appropriate and cost-effective investment of financial resources in IT systems and resources, including staffing, sourcing, purchasing, and in-house development.
• Assess and communicate risks associated with IT investments.
• Develop, track, and control the information technology annual operating and capital budgets.
• Develop business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for IT spending and initiatives.
• Participate in the development and execution of an enterprise-wide disaster recovery and business continuity plan together with key business stakeholders.

Acquisition & Deployment:

• Coordinate and facilitate consultation with stakeholders to define business and systems requirements for new technology implementations.Approve, prioritize, and control projects and the project portfolio as they relate to the selection, acquisition, development, and installation of major information systems.Review hardware and software acquisition and maintenance contracts and pursue master agreements to capitalize on economies of scale.Define and communicate plans, policies, and standards for the business unit for acquiring, implementing, and operating IT systems aligned to Group IT Standards and adherence.

Operational Management:

• Ensure continuous delivery of IT services through oversight of service level agreements with end users and monitoring of IT systems performance.Establish lines of control for current and proposed information systems.Keep current with trends and issues in the IT industry, including current and future technologies.Promote and oversee strategic relationships between internal IT team, Business stakeholders, external entities, vendors, and partner organizations.Be a trusted advisor advising the business on technology selections and initiatives ensuring business and IT alignment.Supervise recruitment, development, retention, and organization of all IT staff in accordance with corporate budgetary objectives and personnel policies 

Improvement Processes: 

• Position Aspen’s SA Commercial Business Unit in the field of ICT as a world class organization.
• Lead Aspen’s SA Commercial Business in the implementation of cost-effective ICT’s which must position all Business Units to make sound strategic business decisions.P
• Provide strong leadership and critical business insights to maximize effectiveness and growth.
• Leverage the potential use of knowledge and information and the related technologies to provide competitive advantage and growth opportunities for the business.
• Develop and maintain information and related technology strategies to guide the use and development of these technologies.
• Drive the provision of an agile ICT environment for Aspen Woodmead which allows business changes and requirements as and when applicable.
• Develop a professional, principled, focused and motivated team within the group, which continually strives to maximize support to the business in a cost-effective manner.
• Ensure the development and deployment of a complete management framework for directing the activities of the information executive function, particularly in the ERP arena.
• Ensure sound financial management within the function and thus contributing meaningfully to cost optimization within the group.
• Ensure adequate level of validation compliance is maintained and achieved in the IT landscape.

Group Digital Technology:

• Participate as an active member of the Group Digital Technology Global Leadership TeamSupport the Global Centres of Excellence through active participation (including participation of IT staff), to assist in establishing:
• Standardised IT processes across the organisation
• Demonstrate value through economies of scale
• Focused expertise around specific processes and / or products
• Governing rules for processes and systems
• Utilisation of institutional knowledge

Best practices

• Governance and Policy Alignment to Global Standards across Cyber security, Data and Analytics, Business PartneringBRM Engagement across a Shared Services and Group environments and Operating modelVendor management for external and internal service delivery 

Requirements
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Matric / Grade 12
• University degree / Technical Diploma in the field of computer science or business related.
• Master’s in business administration (preferred)

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• At least 7 Years IT Management Skills
• At least 7 years technical/business experience in different IT disciplines
• Proven track record in implementing IT systems
• Must have previous experience involving a successful system implementation
• Proven track record of running a fit for purpose IT team
• Exposure to the FMCG & Pharmaceutical Sales and Distribution business (preferred)
• Proven experience in supply chain, sales & marketing, distribution, warehousing, CRM systems, finance
• Proven experience with business-to-business integration
• In depth experience of implementing and running ERP systems
• Experience with systems design and development from business requirements analysis through to day-to-day management.
• Proven experience in IT planning, organization, management, and development.
• Cloud-based Solutions & Platforms
• Considerable knowledge and experience of business processes management, alignment and control, as well as IT technologies.
• Knowledge of governance requirements, pertinent laws and regulations.
• Proven track record of partnering with a business and developing IT strategies to support the business in achieving its vision.

SOFT SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• Leadership skills, people manager
• Ability to think strategically and innovatively around total rewards Commercial and strategic awareness
• Independent and self-directed individual that can drive execution 
• Effective problem solving and decision making 
• Ability to build strong relationships with management and demonstrate strong leadership skills
• Applicant must be commercially astute and be able to engage with the business on commercial matters
• Demonstrated ability to implement IT to solve business process problems, as well as discernment to prioritize IT spend and deliver required value within budget
• Understanding of human resource management principles, practices, and procedures
• Ability to develop and mentor a team towards common goals and objectives and manage conflict
• People person to drive results

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED

• Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)
• Supply Chain Processes
• Project Management
• General computer skills
• ERP Systems

Deadline:2nd September,2025