Business Process Specialist: Principle

ABOUT THE POSITION

This role will be responsible for the support and facilitation of process improvement initiatives and process governance across multiple functional areas within the Santam Group.

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Santam has a unique opportunity for a Business Process Specialist: Principle, forming part of the Business Process Optimisation team.  The Team supports multiple companies within the Santam Group through the offering of the following services: Lean Six Sigma Training and Certification, Lean Six Sigma Project Execution, Process Excellence Training, Process Excellence Leadership, Process Simulation, and Process Consultation. The role of the Principle is to shape and deliver these services to the Santam Group.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Principle needs to provide support throughout the implementation of process excellence initiatives to ensure solutions align with strategic intent. This not only includes actual process improvement projects but also process training and -governance as the key role of BPM Centre of Excellence.

Working in a business environment (short-term insurance) with strong business leaders and process owners requires taking the lead with Business Process Engineering capabilities and methodologies, and the ability to facilitate, influence, sell and contribute to process excellence within the Santam Group.

The incumbent will report to the Team Lead: Business Process Specialist that has the objective to grow Business Process capabilities and skills over time across people/process/data/technical instances.The team and stakeholders are located across several cities, and the Principle should be comfortable managing remote process improvement initiatives efficiently and effectively.

This position supports remote work, but several days per week is office based in Bellville (Cape Town) and includes travel to Johannesburg.

Primary responsibilities:

The Business Process Specialist: Principle is accountable and/or responsible for the following:

• Identifying and analysing process improvement initiatives to deliver an optimal business and functional alignment to the Strategic Framework.
• Apply process improvement and re-engineering methodologies and principles using best practises (i.e., Lean Six Sigma and Process Simulation).
• Contribute to the planning of project execution to support concurrently balanced business demand and prioritisation.
• Work with Process Owners and Team Leaders for scheduling and allocating resources to projects and training initiatives.
• Also share solutions between process owners via a Process Council.
• Implementing and driving the adoption of business process management and optimisation practices in the Group.
• Be involved in the HR efforts to drive a specific culture for continuous improvement and a growth mindset.
• Verify benefit realisation through the design and analysis of process performance indicators.
• Contribute to the Lean Six Sigma and Process Excellence training. Own the curriculum of the training – both for Green Belt training and for Process Excellence training.
• Coach and/or support Lean Six Sigma Green Belts and Black Belts.
• Collaborating through a healthy relationship with the Business Process Optimisation Team and the Process Owners in the Group. 
• Assist with the growth on performance, capacity, and capability within the team through effective knowledge transfer.
• Ensure the integrity of the work done by the team and GBs and Process Owners, and signoff on certification efforts by Green Belts.
• Ensure effective Process Governance throughout the organisation

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree (Engineering degree would be advantageous)
• 8 years’ experience in Process Optimisation with Lean Six Sigma (incl Experience in statistical software).
• Master Black Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma
• Experience in Process Simulation and/or Process Mining and related Technical Experience (VBA, PowerBI, Power Apps, CoPilot)
• Demonstratable experience in leading projects and larger scale change.
• Experience within the financial services environment would be an advantage.

KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS

• Lean Six Sigma and Process Principles
• Data Analytical Skills: Advanced Excel skills incl graphs, pivot tables, power query, extended formulas
• Computer Literacy and Experience in MS Office (Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Building networks and good relationships
• Analytical and systems thinker
• Produce creative solutions to business problems
• Perform under pressure
• Self-motivator
• Self Starter
• Challenge current assumptions and beliefs
• Motivate and mentor others
• Interaction skills: facilitation; mentoring; leadership and influencing; negotiation; teamwork; build relationships; credible consulting skills
• Deciding and initiating action Competent in Problem-Solving and Troubleshooting

COMPETENCIES

• Client Focus
• Cultivates Innovation
• Drives Results
• Collaborates
• Systematic & structured approaches
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Continuous Improvement
• Reporting and Administration

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. As a large, diversified, and expanding company, we are committed to transformation and growth. While our headquarters are in South Africa, we are rapidly extending our presence into emerging markets across Africa and Asia.

With a client base of over 1 million policyholders, Santam serves individuals, commercial enterprises, specialist business owners, and institutions—including 80 of the Top 100 companies listed on the JSE. Our commitment to Insurance, Good and Proper goes beyond just providing cover—we offer peace of mind, ensuring our clients can focus on living in the moment, not worrying about the unexpected. Because at Santam, we believe the freedom to seize every day is worth protecting.

People drive our business, and we are committed to attracting the best talent, whether for permanent roles or short-term opportunities. 

Santam is committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities. We are dedicated to neuro-inclusivity and fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive. 

Take the next step in your career—apply now and be part of a company that’s shaping the future of insurance. This is Freedom!