Head of Plasma at South African National Blood Service (SANBS)

Introduction

• To manage the plasma supply and demand Nationally across the total Supply Chain. To implement new policies, procedures and best practice for plasma in the Supply Chain to ensure acceptable quality and distribution within agreed budget guided by legislation and standards of practice.
• To keep abreast of local developments in related fields. To initiate and propose investigations, projects and systems.

Job description

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS (KPAS)

KPA 1 Financial Management

• Analyse financial requirement for Supply Chain (Plasma Department) and provide input to the business plan annually by:
• Performing Supply Chain (Plasma Department) SWOT analysis.
• Preparing Manpower Plan (annually).
• Prepare Operational Expenditure (OPEX) and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) budgets for Supply Chain (Plasma Department). Submit to Plasma Manager.
• Monitor department productivity monthly (cost / unit issued).
• Monitor Plasma Department expenditure and investigate and address variances to the OPEX budget and provide report to Plasma Manager.
• Monitor CAPEX budget and ensure capital items are motivated for and purchased as per schedule (monthly).
• Monitor overtime worked by employees in the department.

KPA 2 Operational Objectives

• Manage the supply of products to stakeholders (Blood banks, Specialised Processing) according to the requirements of the Service Level Agreements (SLA).
• Ensure the management of stock rotation to minimise expiries for Plasma Department.
• Analyse productivity and trends to maximise the efficiency of service delivery.
• Track best practice through research, literature review and peer interaction.
• Submit monthly department performance reports to Plasma Manager and investigate trends in Plasma production and deliveries.
• Travel to SANBS sites to assess Plasma related activities and meet regularly with Heads of Processing on production targets and other plasma related issues.
• Manage and monitor the on-site and off-site irradiation, where applicable.
• Monitor and manage the alarm conditions on the Plasma Department for electronic and manual equipment points and retain the relevant records according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Manage and control consumables used in the Plasma division and maintain supplier relationships as per SLA / contractual arrangements.
• Act as designated relieve for the Plasma Manager and perform other duties when required so as to facilitate the efficient running of the department.

KPA 3 Quality and Risk Management

• Ensure operational compliance by management of non-conformances through investigation and concluding on root cause analysis and implementation of required corrective action within agreed timeframes.
• Contribute to Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) compilation by reviewing new and revised versions within the required timeframe by validating procedures and maintaining competency for the stipulated SOP.
• Monitor compliance to safety policies and procedures.
• Monitor compliance to policies and procedures to ensure that accreditation requirements are implemented and maintained.
• Monitor the number of procedural errors and take corrective action. Submit report on trends to Plasma Manager.
• Analyse systems non-conformances and elevate problems and / or solutions to the respective system owners.
• Complete risk management tasks and ensure the completion of tasks allocated to reports.

KPA 4 People Management

• Conduct performance management and monitor performance on on-going basis through mentoring, coaching and reviews and take appropriate steps to correct problems.
• Track and encourage individual development by identifying learning and development needs and facilitate attendance of relevant programs.
• Deal with grievances, conflict and disciplinary issues and take appropriate actions in accordance with SANBS policy.
• Ensure regular two-way communication with staff matters such as strategy, values, team building, SOP's, policy changes, etc. to ensure understanding.
• Monitor and track staff time-keeping, absenteeism trends, overtime worked and leave to ensure adherence to Human Resources policy for cost-effective running of the department.
• Recruitment and selection of suitable candidates according to manpower plan recruitment and selection procedures and Employment Equity (EE) targets.
• Attend information meetings and appropriate training sessions as required, to remain informed of current field-related developments, to promote knowledge sharing where relevant as well as to ensure acquisition of required Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points according to IPA specifications.
• Conduct scheduled meetings with direct reports.
• Manage staff schedules and overtime for Plasma Division as per SANBS guidelines.

KPA 5 Customer Relations

• Manage and track customer complaints / queries and ensure resolution within agreed timeframes.
• Manage scheduled review and validity of Service Level Agreements with Specialised Processing.

Minimum requirements

Education:

• Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) Technologist or NQF level 6 qualification in Quality or management related field.

Experience and knowledge requirements:

• 2 years Plasma / Processing / Inventory experience.
• 2 years Supervisory experience.

Other (knowledge and skills):

• Standards of practice for Blood Transfusion in SA.
• Relevant SANBS policies and procedures.

Apply by: 28 January 2026