Head: Benchmarking Innovation and Strategy Enablement

The role

The Santam Group Procurement team within Shared Services has an opportunity for a Head of Strategy, Benchmarking and Innovation, based in Bellville, Cape Town.

What will you do?

As Head of Strategy, Benchmarking and Innovation within the Group Procurement management team, you will be responsible for overseeing strategy development, tracking savings initiatives, benchmarking and strategic insights development for categories and spend commodities, supporting the creation of strategic category procurement plans and driving innovation within the team.

What will make you successful in this role?

• Strategy and scenario development and impact assessments:

• Think strategy in the context of the wider Group businesses within the 1 to 3 year time period. Identify trends andopportunities that GP will need to take on board and mitigate threats through development of appropriate action plans. 
• Have extensive knowledge and demonstrate experience in gathering (?), , interpreting, and analysing financial, macro-economic and industry information (including regression analysis, predictive models) to develop and drive the necessary business and strategic insights.
• Hold strategic conversations with all key stakeholders and conduct research to arrive at a collective view of the issues at hand. 
• Develop potential approaches, scenarios, impacts, and first level tactics to develop the execution plan , in collaboration with the business.
• Drive and manage the Strategic Initiatives portfolio from business case approval through to implementation.
• Retain ownership of the Strategic Initiative, where the matter has high probability for multi-year evolution..

• Sourcing, supply chain, category, commodity research and benchmarking:

• Conduct market, sourcing, supply chain, category, commodity research and vendor benchmarking.
• Assist with translating research and strategic planning for GP and  the broader Santam and Sanlam supplier base, as well as delivering important messages to key stakeholders.
• Leverage research and benchmarking to deliver procurement enablement strategies in conjunction with Group Procurement Managers in defining appropriate category and commodity strategic category plans.
• Lead strategic and benchmarking data projects that impact and relate to understanding the dynamics, trends, scenarios and impact assessments across all vendors categories and commodities in the wider Sanlam group.

• Strategic prioritisation, initiatives and project management:

• Represent GP where required in Strategic Project Steering Committees, at Executive Committee (Exco), Group Procurement Board, Cluster CFO forum Industry forums and all other relevant forums -
• Involvement in tactical initiatives currently underway to assist with redirection, rethinking and requiring broad understanding of the entire business.  This also translates into picking up critical strategic priority duties, where required.
• Be the Business Agile Project Manager for the strategic priorities’ portfolio..

• Plan & Direct Group Procurement digital & AI Transformation Strategy:

• Direct and plan digital & AI Transformation Strategy that is fit for purpose across the various teams
• Advise, shape and deliver technology led transformation programs

• Define, Plan & Oversee Group Procurement Innovation initiatives:

• Adopt, prioritise and develop an innovation roadmap with the relevant processes, tools and metrics to support business and Group Procurement objectives, including new growth opportunities.

• Monthly Savings Initiative Tracking and other Reporting:

• Define and oversee Monthly Savings Initiative Tracking and Reporting
• Develop appropriate tracking and follow up mechanisms for each strategic initiative.
• Perform ad hoc data analytics and provide insights and reports to support improved decision-making.

• Scenario Planning, and impact assessments:

• Coordinate and develop scenario planning and impact assessments for strategic imperatives, category and commodities as required.
• Provide and support planning, scenario analysis, and the development of strategic business cases.

• Financial Viability, Analytics Support, and CPI increases for the Claims and Non-claim Procurement Managers and their teams:

• Support financial analytics for all tenders by assessing the financial viability of tender participants as part of the tender vendor screening and third-party risk management.
• Support the Procurement Managers in understanding the financial business models of prospective vendors and the industries they operate in
• Determine the appropriate level of annual CPI increase used for contracting vendors across the wider Sanlam Group
• Support the Procurement Managers on the commercial negotiations and commercial models used for contracting vendors across the Sanlam Group.

• Training, awareness, and data analytics improvement:

• Develop, maintain, and deliver training to increase awareness of and skills in the function.
• Continuously evaluate and improve research and analytics to enhance data insights.

• Forum attendance:

• Attend the Sanlam Group and Cluster Group Procurement forums in support of the function’s mandate.
• Attend the Sanlam Group Cluster CFO forum as required from time to time in support of the function’s mandate.

• Additional Responsibilities:

• Define how annual and longer-term goals and objectives can be met in respect of resourcing, and translate these into specific commitments/projects

Qualification and experience

• Minimum of  10 years related experience
• Minimum of 5 years experience in financial analysis / strategy / benchmarking
• Experience in developing and deploying AI and regression/predictive data models
• Financial Services (Banking) or Insurance industry long-term, short-term, pensions and/or medical aid experience is strongly recommended
• Experience and strong project management skills are key

Skills, Knowledge and Attributions

• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and quality
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to self-manage while managing projects.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise and multitask effectively
• Adaptability and resilience in handling changing priorities and deadlines
• Professionalism and integrity in all interactions and decision-making processes
• Proactive and strategic thinker
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong Excel skills required
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite
•  Proficiency with Power BI is recommended
• Excellent analytical skills and logical reasoning required
• Good reporting and communication skills required
• Ability to work under pressure

Competencies

• Strong resilience and a positive attitude
• Strong relationship management skills
• Be able to analyse information and pay attention to detail
• Self-confidence & assertiveness
• Leading and deciding
• Planning and organising
• Analysing and interpreting
• Creating and conceptualising
• Applying expertise and technology

Key stakeholders

• Santam COO
• Santam CFO
• Executive Head: Group Procurement
• Group Procurement Manco
• Procurement Managers
• Sanlam Group CFO and Cluster CFO’s
• Cluster CFO forums
• Group, Cluster and BU Strategy Teams
• Cluster and BU Finance Teams
• Cluster and BU Actuarial Teams
• Sanlam Group Procurement Board
• All business units within Sanlam Group (including Santam, Afrocentriq, SanlamAllianz)
• Suppliers and Strategic vendors