Head of Business Systems

SUMMARY:
-

POSITION INFO:

About the Opportunity

An exciting opportunity exists for a commercially minded and strategically driven Head of Business Systems to join a leading player within the South African export and supply chain sector.

Operating within a fast-paced, operationally intensive environment, this business forms part of an internationally connected value chain spanning procurement, operations, logistics, exports, finance, and commercial reporting.

As the organisation continues to grow and evolve its digital capability, they are seeking a senior leader to drive the systems, data, analytics, and technology function — shaping the systems roadmap, modernising architecture, improving operational visibility, and enabling smarter business decision-making across the organisation.

This role offers the opportunity to operate at both strategic and operational levels, partnering closely with executive leadership while driving meaningful systems and process transformation across the business.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Head of Business Systems will lead the organisation’s systems, data, and technology capability across operational, financial, and reporting environments.

The successful candidate will balance strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, taking ownership of ERP systems, integrations, analytics, reporting capability, governance, vendor management, and digital enablement initiatives.

The ideal individual will bring:

• Strong business systems leadership
• Commercial understanding
• Operational systems expertise
• Data and analytics capability
• ERP and systems integration experience
• The ability to influence across all levels of the organisation

This role requires someone comfortable navigating complexity, driving continuous improvement, and operating within a dynamic, seasonally driven commercial environment.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and develop the business systems and technology function
• Align systems strategy with business objectives and long-term growth plans
• Mentor and develop a high-performing systems team
• Build strong relationships across operational and executive teams
• Drive a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement

Operational Systems & Business Process Management

• Oversee ERP, operational, financial, and reporting systems
• Lead systems enablement and digital transformation initiatives
• Drive process optimisation, workflow improvement, and automation
• Manage systems development lifecycles and implementation projects
• Support operational visibility and commercial decision-making

Systems Architecture, Integration & Data Analytics

• Own systems and integration architecture across the business
• Oversee data warehousing, ETL processes, and reporting environments
• Drive analytics and business intelligence capability using tools such as Power BI
• Ensure data integrity, governance, and reporting consistency
• Evaluate AI-enhanced analytics and modern data solutions

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships with vendors, service providers, and Group IT stakeholders
• Oversee SLAs, licensing agreements, and outsourced delivery performance
• Lead vendor selection and onboarding processes
• Balance local business agility with broader governance frameworks

Governance, Risk & Controls

• Support governance, cybersecurity, compliance, and risk management initiatives
• Maintain business continuity and disaster recovery planning
• Ensure data governance and POPIA compliance
• Support audit readiness and operational controls

Required Experience & Skills

Essential Experience

• 5+ years in a leadership role within a business systems or technology environment
• 8+ years’ experience in ERP implementation, integration, and optimisation
• Strong experience within operational, supply chain, FMCG, export, logistics, manufacturing, or stock-based commercial environments
• Experience managing large-scale systems and technology projects
• Vendor and stakeholder management experience
• Exposure to data analytics, reporting, and systems architecture

Technical Skills

• ERP and business applications
• SQL, Power BI, Ketendo and data analytics
• Systems integrations and architecture
• Data warehousing and ETL processes
• Cloud and hybrid systems environments
• Financial and operational reporting systems

Advantageous

• TOGAF or enterprise architecture exposure
• Microsoft Azure or cloud platform experience
• Agile / Scrum delivery methodologies
• Cybersecurity and governance exposure
• AI-driven analytics capability
• Experience within export or fresh produce industries

Behavioural Competencies

• Commercially minded with strong business acumen
• Strategic thinker with operational capability
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Resilient and solutions-focused
• Comfortable operating within ambiguity and fast-paced environments
• Strong leadership and team development capability
• High level of accountability and ownership

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Engineering, Logistics, Finance, or related field

Why This Opportunity?

• Strategic leadership role reporting directly to executive leadership
• Opportunity to shape systems and digital transformation strategy
• High-impact role within a complex operational environment
• Exposure to international group structures and stakeholders
• Opportunity to modernise systems, analytics, and business capability
• Long-term growth and leadership opportunity