Manager: Applications at SAFCOL (South African Forestry Company Limited)

Key Accountabilities

Application Portfolio & Business Requirements Management

• Effective translation of business needs into functional specifications
• Ensure alignment of application portfolio to the ICT strategy, ICT Roadmap and conformance with ISO 2700, COBIT & ITIL principles
• Improved stakeholder satisfaction with application functionality and usability
• Ensure compliance with ICT Change Management policies / procedures
• Establish a sustainable applications reporting and data capability, including automation of key operational and management reports, to improve accuracy, timeliness, and control

Key Outcomes:

• Develop and implement a data management strategy
• Application portfolio rationalised, prioritised, and aligned to business value
• Clear, documented business and system requirements for new or enhanced applications

Application Delivery, Integration & Data Support

• Successful delivery of application enhancements and integrations via vendors.
• Identify & source the resources required to deliver application development and integration projects
• Manage all stages (planning, estimation, execution) of individual application development & integration projects to ensure business requirements, technical, financial and quality targets are met
• Contribute to the improvement of application usability/adoption by ensuring the development of use cases, interactions & interfaces that take into account the user experience and business requirements
• Ability to independently interrogate application data (e.g. via SQL or reporting tools) to validate system outputs, resolve discrepancies, and support decision-making
• Develop systems development life cycle (SDLC) methodology and procedures

Key outcomes:

• Accurate, timely operational and management reports produced directly from core applications and databases
• Stable and reliable integration between core systems (e.g. ERP and Operations systems)
• Reduced dependency on vendors and third parties for routine reporting, data analysis, and operational insights
• Increased automation of recurring reports and controls to improve reliability and reduce manual effort

Application Testing, Support & Service Continuity

• Own & assure end-to-end application testing (environments, standards, UAT, and quality outcomes) across all ICT changes
• Drive continuous improvement of the applications support and testing operating model, including transitioning support into ICT
• Plan for and manage business application enhancements (minor work that are related to work-around for faults, modifications to configuration, data manipulation or small customisations), ensuring that all requests for change are prioritised and delivered to agreed targets
• Manage the installation, configuration, upgrade, administration, monitoring and maintenance of applications and related databases

Key outcomes:

• Timely resolution of application-related issues
• Reduced application incidents and recurring defects

Supplier / Vendor Management

• Undertake analysis and research into suppliers, products and external services and make recommendation to the CIO
• Ensure specifications for RFQs, tenders are developed and procure suppliers in line with the Company's Supply Chain Management processes
• Negotiate supplier SLA's, conduct regular vendor/supplier performance reviews and issue resolution

Key outcomes:

• Strong working relationships with strategic application partners
• Vendors delivering in line with SLAs, contracts, and agreed outcomes
• Controlled scope changes and avoidance of cost overruns

Financial & Risk Management

• Prepare operational budget (in line with ICT Strategy & Roadmap) for the ICT Applications department for recommendation and approval; Approve expenditure in line with Delegation of Authority
• Manage expenditure and report on variances monthly and implement mitigating actions for over-expenditure
• Contribute to the development of strategic and operational risk register of ICT; Implement mitigation action to manage risks
• Provide inputs to the development of the Disaster Recovery Plan and Business Continuity Plan

Key outcomes:

• Application spend managed within approved budget
• Accurate forecasting & cost optimisation initiatives implemented
• Key application risks identified, assessed, and mitigated
• Reduced audit findings related to applications, data, or controls

People and Stakeholder Management

• Lead, develop, and manage the Applications team and associated resources to ensure effective delivery and support of business applications
• Build a business-facing, high-performance culture aligned to organisational objectives, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Measure & produce monthly reports on ICT applications operational performance
• Effective implementation of Human Capital policies & procedures

Key outcomes:

• Improved collaboration between ICT and business units
• Knowledge transfer from vendors to internal team
• Effective succession & skills development within the team
• Capable, motivated applications team with clear roles and accountability

Minimum Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Information Technology / Information Science / Computer Science (NQF 7)
• Business Systems Knowledge
• Certification or formal training in data analysis, business intelligence, or reporting tools (e.g. SQL, Power BI, SAP/JDE/Sage reporting, or equivalent)
• Certification in Project Management will be an added advantage
• Relevant ICT or application management certifications (e.g. ITIL, TOGAF, ERP certifications) will be an added advantage
• ITIL qualification will be an added advantage
• ERP or enterprise application certification with a strong reporting and data component will be an added advantage
• A minimum of 3 - 5 years' experience in business applications with at least three years in a management role
• Sound working knowledge and experience managing enterprise applications (e.g. ERP, business systems, integrations) through the full SDLC
• Proven experience working in complex, integrated application environments where accurate reporting is critical
• Demonstrated experience in application-level reporting, data interrogation, and analysis (e.g. SQL queries, ERP reporting tools, BI tools) to support operations & management decision-making
• Experience in Sage X3 & Forestry applications will be an added advantage
• Project Management principles will be an added advantage
• Advanced system analysis methods, practises & principles will be an added advantage
• Systems design, development, implementation and user support principles & practices will be an added advantage
• Valid driver's license