Sen. Manager: Customs & Excise Portfolio (Compliance Hub - Air Modality) at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Job Purpose

• To formulate the Customs & Excise Portfolio strategy and associated delivery plans related to multiple practice areas, ensuring practice integration and operational implementation by providing assistance with prioritisation, planning, management and reporting of a programme of projects and related activities to achieve Customs & Excise Portfolio objectives.

Education and Experience

• Honours / Postgraduate Diploma (NQF 8) in a Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Trade and related field AND 10-12 years' experience in extensive background in customs and excise operating environment including trade value chain , of which 3-4 years at middle management level

ALTERNATIVE:

• Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7)  in a Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Trade and related field AND 15 years extensive background in customs and excise operating environment, of which 3-4 years at middle management level  

Minimum Functional Requirements

• Strategic management of Customs and Excise compliance Centres and create seamless process with border/ ports operations.
• Stakeholder Management – Engaging with trade associations, logistics providers, and businesses to provide Service and promote compliance.
• Values-based leadership: Model integrity, accountability, and service excellence as per SARS’s leadership ethos.
• Process optimization: Streamline workflows to reduce delays and enhance compliance monitoring.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Ensure that a change programme is in place to ensure the achievement of the objectives that have been set and that the business benefits are realised within the terms of the business case.
• Ensure accurate estimates of scope, schedule, resources, assumptions, and risk for the organisation solution
• Lead the risk management planning for the solution and ensure compliance with the delivery frameworks and security/privacy policies.
• Monitor overall progress and initiate corrective action as appropriate, including updating project managers' plans, to ensure that deliverables are produced on time and within budget.
• Drive regular formal reviews of the programme and its achievements, to assess critically the work carried out, project risks, benefits obtained and report on project and programme progress.
• Put in place systems, processes and measures to ensure that exceptions, slippage and issues of priority are effectively managed.
• Drive complex projects/programs from design and development to production in line with project deliverables, goals and milestones.
• Ensure that the organization's project methodologies, procedures and governance are followed on all projects and programs.
• Manage and co-ordinate the programme's Customs & Excise portfolio of projects, on a day-to-day basis, to ensure maximum efficiency in the allocation of common resources and skills.
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, policies and procedures, and direct the implementation of change and innovation initiated by the organisation.
• Develop tactical strategy and delivery plans in support of functional objectives in partnership with leadership.
• Direct, control, coordinate and optimise budgeted resources to meet specific objectives and deliver agreed results and productivity requirements.
• Ensure the development and implementation of multiple practices in alignment with operational policy and procedural frameworks.
• Identify and recommend opportunities to continuously improve all functions and systems in line with national, regional and organisational changes.
• Plan for handling work outputs, pull together interdependent activities & specify priorities, standards & procedures to ensure tactical excellence.
• Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives; driving best practice solutions.
• Provide periodic reports on performance against plan & progress on short-term initiatives & use to realign tactical plan and objectives appropriately.
• Use the insights gained through integrated business reports to measure success & realign tactical strategy development objectives appropriately.

Governance

• Implement governance, risk and compliance policy in own practice areas to identify and manage governance and risk exposure liability. (I)
• Manage and or advise on the translation and application of policy in a specific functional area.

People

• Plan and develop enhanced organisational efficiency by identifying and addressing development requirements and providing tools for people resources. (I)
• Translate performance expectations into specific metrics and goals to identify and provide effective services, solve problems and achieve objectives. (I)
• Create a positive work climate & culture to energise employees & give meaning to work, minimise work disruption and maximise employee productivity.
• Develop & implement appropriate people capacity plans in line with delivery & efficiency targets, on budget & in partnership with specialised areas.

Finance

• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of accountability
• Draw up a budget aligned to business unit delivery plans, monitor planned vs. actual, minimise expenditure and report on cost efficiency.

Client

• Build strong relationships and develop service level agreements that promote SARS with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and ensure implementation of practices which builds service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional client service.
• Manage an integrated service excellence culture, which builds rewarding relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.

Behavioural competencies

• Honesty and Integrity
• Respect
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• People Management and Empowerment
• People Skills
• Developing Others
• Fairness and Transparency
• Accountability
• Organisational Awareness
• Building Sustainability
• Conceptual Thinking
• Championing the Mandate
• Influencing Others
• Mobilising Teams
• Driving for Excellence
• Leveraging Diversity
• Accurate Understanding

Technical competencies

• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Managerial Budgeting
• Tax Knowledge
• Programme and Project Management
• Project Financial Control and Reporting
• Project Management
• Business Knowledge
• Strategic Planning
• Customs Knowledge
• Effective Business Communication
• Problem Analysis and Judgement
• Planning, Management and Measurement
• Decisiveness
• Business Acumen

Deadline:24th February,2026