PHP Technical Lead (JHB Onsite) at Datafin Recruitment

ENVIRONMENT:

• A dynamic Logistics company in Johannesburg is seeking a highly skilled PHP Technical Lead to serve as the Capability Owner (Build & Maintain). The role is responsible for ensuring that internal tools are optimised, digitised, and perfectly aligned with business requirements while also leading a team of Devs and remaining actively involved in coding and technical delivery.
• The successful candidate will combine strong hands-on Development expertise with the ability to lead, guide, and scale a Development team, ensuring high-quality, scalable solutions that support business growth.
• Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field, with proven success in system transformation, product delivery, and cloud technologies, including deep experience in data platforms, architecture, and Agile delivery. Strong proficiency in PHP, React, and MySQL, JavaScript and HTML is essential.

DUTIES:

Own,Build and Scale solutions –

• Build, maintain, and enhance software solutions using PHP, React, and MySQL.
• Act as the technical lead and hands-on contributor, actively participating in coding, code reviews, and solution design.
• Own the end-to-end delivery lifecycle, ensuring solutions are scalable, maintainable, and aligned to business needs.
• Establish and enforce development standards, best practices, and architectural guidelines.

Lead and Develop the Engineering Team –

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of Developers, driving a high-performance and collaborative culture.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and oversight to ensure quality and consistency across all deliverables.
• Manage team workload, priorities, and delivery timelines in line with business expectations.
• Foster continuous improvement through Agile practices, feedback, and knowledge sharing.

Drive Internal Digital Transformation –

• Continuously enhance and digitise business processes through technology-driven solutions.
• Translate business requirements into practical, scalable technical solutions.
• Deliver solutions that improve operational efficiency, accuracy, and performance.

Manage Vendor and Development Delivery –

• Translate internal business requirements into solutions designed to scale and evolve with the organisation.
• Manage external build and support partners, ensuring adherence to SLAs, timelines, and quality standards.
• Ensure alignment between internal development and external delivery partners.

Manage Tech Governance and Data Integrity –

• Ensure all development adheres to security policies, compliance standards, and best practices.
• Enforce user access controls and data protection standards.
• Champion data hygiene and integrity, ensuring data is clean, structured, and securely integrated across systems.

REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications –

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience/Skills –

• Proven success in system transformation, product delivery, and cloud technologies.
• Deep experience in data platforms, system architecture, and Agile delivery.
• Strong hands-on experience with PHP, React, and MySQL.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor development teams while remaining technically hands-on.
• Experience managing distributed teams and cross-functional stakeholders in fast-paced environments.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to connect technical delivery to business impact.

ATTRIBUTES:

• Delivers fast: Biased for action — prefers done over perfect.
• Empowers others: Builds capable, independent teams.
• Collaborates well: Works across departments and values input.
• Thinks customer-first: Solves real-world courier problems.
• Uses data: Backs decisions with facts and analytics.
• Stays humble: Open to learning, improving, and listening.