Manager - Channel Development Commercial Operations SA at MTN

Job Description

• The provision of innovative solutions and service excellence to ensure effective Planning, Financial Modelling and Specialist services for the Retail channel in an ever changing environment
• Define and manage the implementation of the Planning and Financial Modelling, within MTN policies, standards and framework. 
• Ensure alignment of all activities and communication of the strategy, objectives and requirements of MTN SA and alignment to the overall strategy for the Branded channel
• Contribute towards long-term forecasts and predictions (2-3 years), analyzing trends and highlighting areas of the business that may be developed further
• Provide input into reviewing organisational activities that impact on Business Planning and Channel Commercials and recommend corrective actions.
• Drive relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Operational Planning and Management

• Define and implement policies, procedures and guidelines for planning, ensuring that they adhere to Finance, Marketing, CBU, EBU and MFS requirements and ensure that they enable goals and targets being met. 
• Align targets and actions to the overall strategy of Planning Department, considering (1-2 years) implications of actions from a broad perspective which includes other areas of the business, as well as the interdependency of units.
• Assist Retail managers to translate the planning and financial models into viable operational implementation plans and models
• Provide ongoing, proactive and appropriately channelled communication to ensure clear understanding of the planning and modelling elements throughout all teams. 
• Establish and maintain sound relationships and liaise / communicate appropriately with Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing, CBU, EBU and MFS in order to effectively manage the cross-functional nature of Channel Operations within planning.
• Ensure compliance of strategy and implement remedial action for non-compliance
• Drive the execution and implementation of operational plans, initiating corrective actions where necessary
• Cascading of annual sales target at store, dealer/partner and regional level.
• Ensure that operational plans and models comply with processes and procedures across Retail.
• Consider and drive best practice, continuous improvement and innovation at process and procedure level.
• Drive operational excellence and performance improvement for the area.
• Construct, implement and fine-tune methods, processes and systems to enhance effectiveness and meet goals.
• Analyze and predict trends in local conditions, as well as competitor activity to create competitive advantage on sales strategy and footprint.
• Liaise with the relevant areas of the business to ensure effective planning and reporting across all regions and to ensure delivery of a seamless customer experience.
• Manage resources (people, finances, products and locations), taking all channel conditions into consideration.
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of all relevant systems and impacting business processes to ensure that risks are identified and reported in a timely manner.
• Alert stakeholders to potential channel related opportunities and risks relating to MTN SA
• To remain aware of current industry standards, benchmarks, growth points and footprint expansions
• To ensure that all work is carried out to best industry standards and benchmarks

Research and Development

• Ensure that planning and financial modelling is aligned to the strategy, as well as trends and market requirements at all times
• Keep abreast of international best practice, technologies and industry trends.
• Proactively research relevant best practice and processes, recommending translation of these in the strategic framework of Retail.
• Maintain an understanding of related systems in order to develop integrated systems and processes.
• Keep up to date with new products, services and locations, and their impact on Channel Development
• Understand and take cognisance of emerging markets and plan accordingly

Reporting

• Periodically compile and present planning and performance reports – sales (CBU, EBU & MFS) activity reports and compliance reports, including commentary on gaps identified and remedial actions taken.
• Provide auditors with relevant information regarding systems and controls as required.
• Provide reports that monitor and ensure compliance, rectifying issues identified timeously and implement recommendations made.
• Ensure ongoing reporting and communication to critical stakeholders within the channel
• Support with planning and development of sales campaigns.
• Analysis, reporting and planning at store, dealer/partner and regional level.
• Product analysis through the customer life-cycle
• Provide the channel with timely and accurate ad-hoc reports and analysis.

Customer Satisfaction

• Adopt a proactive approach to prevent problems from arising in the future.
• Develop and maintain solid relationships with stakeholders, building relationships to ensure that all queries are responded to quickly and effectively.
• Educate stakeholders and internal customers on the role of Planning and Reporting and how they may contribute and add value.
• Ensure delivery on customer specific strategies.
• Identify trends / patterns pertaining to customer needs and filter this information through the correct stores, dealers and regions.
• Initiate change to continually improve all aspects of service delivery and drive continuous improvement as an important element of service delivery.
• Manage, monitor and control customer-related system efficiencies, and the measurement thereof.
• Understand customer needs and develop and fine-tune systems accordingly, ensuring that effective PPP’s are in place and valid.
• Put contingency plans in place to prevent delivery and service delays and enhance the customer experience 

Budget Management

• Forecast, plan, develop negiotiate the annual budget and revised forecast, ensuring that it provides MTN with return on investment, and seeking approval thereof.
• Manage, optimize and communicate the budget, ensuring that all expenditure is in line with the agreed parameters.
• Monitor costs and determine initiatives to optimize resources. Ensure cost effectiveness by maximising cost/benefit ratios.
• Identify areas where money is lost and seek ways to reduce expenditure.
• Identify opportunities to generate additional revenue

Responsibilities

• The provision of innovative solutions and service excellence to ensure effective Planning, Financial Modelling and Specialist services for the Retail channel in an ever changing environment
• Define and manage the implementation of the Planning and Financial Modelling, within MTN policies, standards and framework. 
• Ensure alignment of all activities and communication of the strategy, objectives and requirements of MTN SA and alignment to the overall strategy for the Branded channel
• Contribute towards long-term forecasts and predictions (2-3 years), analyzing trends and highlighting areas of the business that may be developed further
• Provide input into reviewing organisational activities that impact on Business Planning and Channel Commercials and recommend corrective actions.
• Drive relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Operational Planning and Management

• Define and implement policies, procedures and guidelines for planning, ensuring that they adhere to Finance, Marketing, CBU, EBU and MFS requirements and ensure that they enable goals and targets being met. 
• Align targets and actions to the overall strategy of Planning Department, considering (1-2 years) implications of actions from a broad perspective which includes other areas of the business, as well as the interdependency of units.
• Assist Retail managers to translate the planning and financial models into viable operational implementation plans and models
• Provide ongoing, proactive and appropriately channelled communication to ensure clear understanding of the planning and modelling elements throughout all teams. 
• Establish and maintain sound relationships and liaise / communicate appropriately with Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing, CBU, EBU and MFS in order to effectively manage the cross-functional nature of Channel Operations within planning.
• Ensure compliance of strategy and implement remedial action for non-compliance
• Drive the execution and implementation of operational plans, initiating corrective actions where necessary
• Cascading of annual sales target at store, dealer/partner and regional level.
• Ensure that operational plans and models comply with processes and procedures across Retail.
• Consider and drive best practice, continuous improvement and innovation at process and procedure level.
• Drive operational excellence and performance improvement for the area.
• Construct, implement and fine-tune methods, processes and systems to enhance effectiveness and meet goals.
• Analyze and predict trends in local conditions, as well as competitor activity to create competitive advantage on sales strategy and footprint.
• Liaise with the relevant areas of the business to ensure effective planning and reporting across all regions and to ensure delivery of a seamless customer experience.
• Manage resources (people, finances, products and locations), taking all channel conditions into consideration.
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of all relevant systems and impacting business processes to ensure that risks are identified and reported in a timely manner.
• Alert stakeholders to potential channel related opportunities and risks relating to MTN SA
• To remain aware of current industry standards, benchmarks, growth points and footprint expansions
• To ensure that all work is carried out to best industry standards and benchmarks

Research and Development

• Ensure that planning and financial modelling is aligned to the strategy, as well as trends and market requirements at all times
• Keep abreast of international best practice, technologies and industry trends.
• Proactively research relevant best practice and processes, recommending translation of these in the strategic framework of Retail.
• Maintain an understanding of related systems in order to develop integrated systems and processes.
• Keep up to date with new products, services and locations, and their impact on Channel Development
• Understand and take cognisance of emerging markets and plan accordingly

Reporting

• Periodically compile and present planning and performance reports – sales (CBU, EBU & MFS) activity reports and compliance reports, including commentary on gaps identified and remedial actions taken.
• Provide auditors with relevant information regarding systems and controls as required.
• Provide reports that monitor and ensure compliance, rectifying issues identified timeously and implement recommendations made.
• Ensure ongoing reporting and communication to critical stakeholders within the channel
• Support with planning and development of sales campaigns.
• Analysis, reporting and planning at store, dealer/partner and regional level.
• Product analysis through the customer life-cycle
• Provide the channel with timely and accurate ad-hoc reports and analysis.

Customer Satisfaction

• Adopt a proactive approach to prevent problems from arising in the future.
• Develop and maintain solid relationships with stakeholders, building relationships to ensure that all queries are responded to quickly and effectively.
• Educate stakeholders and internal customers on the role of Planning and Reporting and how they may contribute and add value.
• Ensure delivery on customer specific strategies.
• Identify trends / patterns pertaining to customer needs and filter this information through the correct stores, dealers and regions.
• Initiate change to continually improve all aspects of service delivery and drive continuous improvement as an important element of service delivery.
• Manage, monitor and control customer-related system efficiencies, and the measurement thereof.
• Understand customer needs and develop and fine-tune systems accordingly, ensuring that effective PPP’s are in place and valid.
• Put contingency plans in place to prevent delivery and service delays and enhance the customer experience 

Budget Management

• Forecast, plan, develop negiotiate the annual budget and revised forecast, ensuring that it provides MTN with return on investment, and seeking approval thereof.
• Manage, optimize and communicate the budget, ensuring that all expenditure is in line with the agreed parameters.
• Monitor costs and determine initiatives to optimize resources. Ensure cost effectiveness by maximising cost/benefit ratios.
• Identify areas where money is lost and seek ways to reduce expenditure.
• Identify opportunities to generate additional revenue

Qualifications
Education

• 3-year Degree / Diploma in Commerce (Accounting /Finance/Economics/Commerce/Statistics) or related
• Industry experience or functional experience an advantage
• Analytical skills

Experience:

• At least 3 years operational experience in telecommunications 
• 2 years retail experience
• At least 2-3 years of management experience in similar positions, in fast-moving industries
• Compliance and risk mitigation experience including fraud and organised crime
• Systems and processes experience and knowledge

Training:

• High level user of relevant computer-based systems
• Business risk assessment
• Products and Services
• Management development courses
• Basic HR training including performance management

Required Skills

• Ability to work with deadlines in a deadline-driven environment
• Business acumen – un understanding of the business as a whole
• Coaching skills – to develop the team and staff
• Financial acumen – an understanding of finance and its impact on the business as a whole
• Marketing acumen – in tune with customer and market needs