Zone Technical Manager at South African National Blood Service (SANBS)

Introduction

• To perform routine and specialist functions within technical areas of the Zone, to manage staff and activities performed and ensure that principles of quality.

Job description

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS (KPAS)

KPA 1:Specialist Operational Objectives

KPI

• Implement policies, procedures and standards within the department timeously and monitor adherence to these.
• Monitor performance to ensure that targets established in the scorecard are met and reported to the Senior Manager of Processing and Issuing by the agreed day of the month.
• Generate and submit regular and ad hoc reports as required and ensure that pertinent information is obtained from the laboratories in the zone so as to facilitate the timeous provision of information to relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitor laboratory activities and take appropriate corrective action as per SANBS Policy where deviations from SOP, Quality or safety criteria are identified.
• Manage the maintenance of staffing levels as per approved manpower plan and motivate for additional staff where necessary; including the submission of a detailed business case.
• Monitor inventory on an ongoing basis to ensure the availability of sufficient units for patients and initiate action when shortages are anticipated.

KPA 2: People Management Objectives

KPI

• Conduct ongoing performance management on all direct reports by ensuring that all have ISC’s, & IDP’s are completed by agreed timelines.
• Monitor performance on ongoing basis through mentoring, coaching, reviews according to agreed timeframes and takes appropriate steps to correct problems.
• Track & drive individual development plans for all staff by identifying general training and staff development needs & ensure staff attendance of organised training programme so as to accrue required CPD points.
• Ensure the completion of all technical training as per a training plan developed in conjunction with relevant departments and other divisions.
• Deal with grievances, conflict and disciplinary issues and take appropriate corrective action in accordance with SANBS Policy on matters related to misconduct & incapacity (performance & illhealth), with a view to improving productivity.
• Ensure regular two-way communication with staff on all general staff matters such as Principles of Excellence, team building, SOP’s, policy changes, etc. to ensure understanding, required competency as well as compliance with SOP criteria.
• Visit cross match laboratories on a scheduled basis to monitor progress on achievement of objectives and provide feedback from meetings.
• Contribute to employee recruitment and the selection of suitable candidates by actively participating in the interview process and ensuring that relevant qualification and experience requirements are met.
• Manage Employment Equity targets within the department according to SANBS Policy.
• Attend information meetings and appropriate training sessions as required, to remain informed of current field-related developments, to promote knowledge sharing where relevant as well as to ensure acquisition of required CPD points according to IPA specifications.

KPA 3: Total Quality managed in accordance with SOP criteria

KPI

• Monitor procedures to ensure that accreditation requirements are implemented and maintained as per IPA specifications.
• Manage major deficiencies, errors, deviations from SOPs compliance with QC programs and standards of practice and ensure that these correspond to scorecard measures and Quality standards.
• Manage the non-conformance process for area of control.
• Implement all relevant quality and safety processes and procedures and ensure that regulations are adhered to in accordance with Quality standards and Department of Health and Safety policy.

KPA 4: Financial and Administrative Objectives

KPI

Assist with the establishment of the zone requirements for the new financial year by engaging with stakeholders at the zone and laboratory level and submitting a detailed plan and supporting budget to the Senior Manager of Processing and Issuing as per EXCO timelines.

• Participating in Division level business planning sessions and motivate acceptance of the Zone’s business and manpower plan with regard to budgeting, staffing and capital requirements.
• Assist the Senior Manager of Processing and Issuing with the development of strategic initiatives for the zone and division with a view to improve performance, quality and business sustainability.
• Implement agreed project objectives as outlined in the zone business plan and monitor progress on a monthly basis to ensure alignment with project plan deliverables.
• Monitor cost centre reports for each section on a monthly basis to ensure correspondence with budget, plausible explanations and justified discrepancies and initiate action where necessary.
• Prepare a consolidated cost centre report for the Senior Manager of Processing and Issuing to explain variances and corrective actions taken as well as provide relevant information pertaining to costs incurred.
• Check and approve supplementary after hour and overtime claims according to SANBS Human Resource Policy criteria.
• Motivate the necessity of the purchase of approved capital items to the Senior Manager of Processing and Issuing.
• Perform other job-related duties when required so as to facilitate the efficient running of the zone.

Competencies

Cognitive

• Analytical Thinking and Attention to Detail
• Problem Solving
• Planning, Organising and Monitoring
• Change Management
• Judgement and Decision Making
• Big Picture Thinking

Personal

• Ethical behavior
• Personal Development
• Resilience and Stress Management
• Assertiveness
• Flexibility/ Adaptability
• Self – Management

Interpersonal

• Customer Service Orientation
• Relationship Building
• Communication
• Conflict Management
• Teamwork
• Knowledge Sharing

Prof. technical

• Systems Competence

Technical Skills/Competence:

• Best Practice Thinking.
• Computer Literacy (SAP).
• Financial Acumen.
• Blood grouping/Testing.

Leadership

• Motivating People
• Practical Execution Management
• Participative Leadership

Minimum requirements

Education 

• HPCSA Registered Medical Technologist (Blood Transfusion).

Experience and knowledge requirements

• 5 Years of Blood Transfusion Experience.
• 3 Years of Senior Supervisory or Managerial experience

Other (knowledge and skills)

• Employee relations.
• Blood Transfusion Standards.
• HPCSA regulations.
• Understanding of SANAS regulations and audit process.
• Financial Management including statistical analysis.
• SAP and Computer system

Apply by: 29 June 2026