Operations Squad Lead: Insights and Data Monetisation at ShopriteX

Role Purpose

• The purpose of the Operations Squad Lead: Insights and Data Monetisation (IDM), is to install themselves into the various value streams within the Tribe to support the other squad leads in achieving their objectives by enhancing operational efficiencies, supporting work streams to enable tasks to be completed on time and within scope, identifying and providing resources to support execution, and managing projects and activity streams. The successful candidate will work closely with the Head of the IDM Tribe, as well as the Services team and Shoprite Buying and Category Management teams.Ultimately, the Operations Squad Lead MUST be a servant leader, acting as enabler and supporter, influencing others without direct lines of reporting, playing for the team, and will be an operational extension of the Head of the IDM Tribe.

Role Description

•  Develop and implement effective operational strategies and processes to drive business growth and success.
•  Ensure that all projects and value streams are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
•  Trafficking of workflows to create efficiencies and time saving.
•  Provide delivery assurance by taking joint ownership with other squad leads and team members.
•  Manage Agile ceremonies and processes for the Tribe.
•  Proactively identify operational blockers and remove such for the Tribe.
•  Holistically own our CRM system and drive adoption, hygiene, and completeness with the team.
•  Provide support in terms of arranging and facilitating training.
•  Documentation and intellectual property management across the Tribe.
•  Deployment, enhancement, and maintenance of a knowledge repository for clients and users.
•  Support and oversee marketing and communication activities.
•  Promote the internal adoption of our product and service offering.
•  Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve operational issues, as well as to develop and implement new processes and procedures.
•  Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, partners, and vendors.
•  Identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to optimize operational efficiency and productivity.
•  Provide regular reports and updates to senior management on operational performance, risks, and opportunities.

Qualifications and experience

•  A minimum of 5 years’ experience as a team lead or higher role in the context of delivering substantial value streams in a dynamic and complex environment – (essential).
•  +10 years’ progressive and diverse experience in managing operations, of which a minimum of +5 years’ experience must be in digital, technology, data analytics, or a related field – (essential).
•  Advanced commercial / business acumen – (essential).
•  The ability to work collaboratively with a team that does not report to you, maintaining positive relationships and achieving your objectives by managing through influence – (essential).
•  Strong leadership skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organisation – (essential).
•  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills – (essential).
•  Proven ability to develop and implement effective operational strategies and processes – (essential).
•  Strong project management skills, including experience with project management tools such as Jira/TP – (desired).
•  Experience in working in an Agile environment and familiarity with ceremonies, processes, and ways of working – (desired).
•  Experience with CRM systems, including data hygiene and management – (desired).

Key competencies and work ethic

•  Strategic and conceptual thinker - Combines advanced analytics with strategy and technology to enable long-term decisions and roadmaps. Deals comfortably with unstructured data and thinks creatively around a brief.
•  Analytical, data-driven, and highly numerate – Strong ability to collect, organise and assimilate disparate and multiple pieces of data to guide decision-making and develop optimal solutions.
•  Deep knowledge and passion for data and its range of possibilities, applications, and value for the business. Able come up to speed quickly on our applications, technologies, and processes.
•  Commercial and financial acumen – Understands financial principles and its application within business. Knows how business operates, what the key processes, issues and risks are that drives success; and how they impact on commercial viability and profitability.
•  Leadership skills – Serves the team by driving a positive morale. Adopts a range of styles to deal with challenges. Enables the team to deliver on priorities while contributing to their development.
•  Collaborative partner – Builds relationships both internally and externally. Open, honest and direct, comfortable giving and receiving feedback. Thinks and act independently as well as collaboratively.
•  Change agent - Energized by working both independently and interdependently within the digital network and across functions; is open to change and motivated to work agile.
•  Project management skills - Ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects at various complexities to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with overlapping, conflicting priorities.
•  Operational efficiency – Manages multiple demands by working smartly, efficiently, and effectively. Stays on top of the detail while effectively prioritising and delivering on urgent and important tasks.
•  Innovative and solution-orientated – Thinks outside the box to come up with creative solutions while applying sound judgment to generate short- and long-term value. Use technical expertise to question, understand and challenge solutions and software implementation decisions / priorities.
•  Communication skills – Communicates effectively while being able to convert complex concepts and analytical findings into well-articulated verbal, written and visual messages to non-technical and business audiences.
•  Strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work.