Smme (Small, Medium & Micro Enterprises) Development Manager at Woolworths

Introduction

• Responsible for providing specialist guidance on Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) strategy. Researching, assessing, recommending and onboarding ESD beneficiaries. Designing, and managing the ESD Programmes for selected ESD beneficiaries.

Job description
Specialist input to strategy

• Provide subject matter expertise to the ESD strategy as part of broader IJI strategy. 
• Provide relevant input to enhance IJI strategy and programme

Researching ESD Beneficiaries

• Understand the ESD Entity’s vision, mission, milestones and strategy
• Collaborate with WSA Business Unit teams to identify supply chain opportunities for ESD Beneficiaries
• Collaborate with WSA Business Unit teams and WSA Corporate Affairs team to identify potential ESD Beneficiaries
• Consider both potential and current suppliers to WSA
• Create a database of potential and current ESD Beneficiaries
• Create a shortlist of potential and current ESD Beneficiaries based on WSA requirements and ESD Beneficiary growth and development potential

Assessing ESD Beneficiaries

• Secure approval to initiate assessment of a shortlisted ESD Beneficiary from the General Manager
• Communicate with the ESD Beneficiary leadership and management team
• Manage expectation by communicating the reason for the assessment, the process and the potential outcomes
• Plan and execute the human capital assessment of the ESD Beneficiary entity including assessing the capacity and competency of the leadership, management and operational team
• Plan and execute the operational governance assessment of the ESD Beneficiary entity including the vision, mission, strategy, operational targets, process, procedure, policy, guidelines, systems and tools
• Develop an assessment report including a development plan aligned to WSA’s supply chain requirements

Recommending ESD Beneficiaries

• Collaborate with WSA Business Unit heads and WSA Corporate Affairs team for input on assessment results
• Present the assessment reports to the General Manager
• Prioritise the ESD beneficiaries based on WSA supply chain requirements
• Identify developmental readiness and developmental risk for each ESD Beneficiary
• Identify risk mitigation plans for all risks
• Make recommendations and prioritise ESD Beneficiaries in order of WSA development need
• Secure sign off to develop an ESD programme

Designing ESD programmes

• Develop an ESD Programme consisting of multiple projects for each approved ESD Beneficiary
• Ensure the projects address development areas which are aligned to WSA’s supply chain requirements
• Develop a timeline for each project and therefore the ESD Programme
• Engage potential service providers and product vendors and secure quotations on a three-quote minimum basis
• Assess and select service providers and product vendors based on a price, quality, service and Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) status decision matrix
• Develop a budget for the Programmes
• Secure final approval for the programmes and budget requirements
• Secure confirmation and commitment from WSA Business Unit heads and teams for each development programme
• Develop and sign off a participation agreement with the WSA Business Unit heads and teams which includes clear levels of commitment and support and defines programme success and the timeframe
• Develop templates and standard tools for implementation of the approved programme

Managing ESD programmes

• Engage the ESD Beneficiary leadership and management teams
• Secure confirmation of desire for the development programme
• Clarify roles and responsibilities with the ESD Beneficiary leadership and management teams
• Develop an ESD Agreement including terms and conditions which cover programme intent and contribution conditions from both parties
• Formally clarify WSA obligations to manage expectation of access to business
• Initiate programme management of the development programme
• Track and monitor implementation of the development programme
• Visit the ESD Beneficiary and observe development activity
• Report on programme progress regularly to the General Manager
• Address any issues which may arise from time to time with a remedial development plan
• Monitor and report on budget utilization and manage any related scope creep proactively
• Assess the develop programme against the programme objectives as well as the budget utilization
• Ensure the programme objectives are achieved
•  Review and evaluation with lessons learned
• Perform a review of any completed programme
• Evaluate the impact and success of the programme
• Record lessons learned and amend future programmes accordingly
• Improve templates and tools based on lessons learned

Minimum requirements

• Postgraduate degree
• 10 years professional experience in strategic planning
• Proven management experience, particularly influencing at senior level
• Sound specialist understanding of SMME development
• Experience in developing and delivering ESD programmes
• Experience in dealing with ESD Beneficiaries
• Proven ability in delivering results and meeting stakeholder expectations.
• Ability to work across a wide range of teams to ensure effective delivery of work streams.
• Experience in leading, developing and motivating cross-functional
• Retail and/or relevant sectors experience preferable
• Business & Commercial acumen
• Retail Industry Awareness
• Analytical Thinking
• Results Orientation