About the Role
Join the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure as the Director: Supply Chain Management, based in the vibrant city of Durban. In this pivotal role, you will lead and oversee the strategic governance and innovation of supply chain management processes that are essential for the efficient operation of public services in South Africa. Your efforts will not only ensure compliance with national regulations but also drive departmental efficiency and responsiveness to the needs of the community.
As a leader in this department, your work will have a profound impact on the public service landscape, making essential services more accessible and effective for all citizens. By implementing streamlined processes and strategic procurement planning, you will help ensure that the Department’s goals align with socio-economic objectives, ultimately improving the quality of life for residents in Durban and beyond.
About the Department
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is committed to delivering quality public infrastructure and services that enhance the lives of South Africans. This department plays a vital role in driving economic growth and development through the management of public assets, ensuring that government projects are executed efficiently and sustainably. Working here means contributing to a mission that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and public service excellence.
What You’ll Do
- Develop and implement a compliant and technologically advanced supply chain management framework.
- Direct the creation and enhancement of SCM policies to align with national treasury guidelines.
- Architect a robust internal control environment to mitigate procurement risks.
- Lead the transition to digital SCM support tools to improve workflow transparency and efficiency.
- Oversee the development of an Annual Procurement Plan that meets departmental strategic goals.
- Ensure the application of the Preferential Procurement Policy to meet development and transformation objectives.
- Manage the bid adjudication process to guarantee integrity and value for money.
- Establish a comprehensive contract management framework to monitor supplier performance.
- Direct logistical support and auxiliary functions to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Lead the strategic acquisition and lifecycle management of movable assets.
- Mentor and develop the SCM team to foster high performance and ethical standards.
What You’ll Need
- A minimum NQF level 7 qualification in SCM, Procurement, Accounting, Logistics, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of experience at a middle or senior management level in supply chain management.
- Proven leadership experience in managing multidisciplinary teams.
- A valid driver’s license and willingness to adjust work hours as needed.
- In-depth knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury Regulations.
- Strong skills in strategic budget planning and government financial systems.
- Exceptional analytical, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
How to Apply
Email Applications for the position of Director: Supply Chain Management must be submitted to the application instructions below.
Requirements
A minimum qualification at NQF level 7 as recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) in SCM/ Procurement/ Accounting/ Logistics/ Law or SCM/ Procurement/ Logistics and Public Management in the related field.A minimum 5 years of experience at a middle/senior managerial level in SCM/ Procurement.
Experience at middle or senior management level leading multidisciplinary teams in supply chain management An NQF level 8 (Honours/Postgraduate) or above and more than 5 years direct middle/ senior management experience as specified above will serve as an added advantage.
Leadership & Delivery: Demonstrated track record of managing teams to deliver business unit outcomes.
Valid driver’s licence.
Security clearance will be required.
Ability and willingness to adjust work hours to meet professional and organisational imperatives.
Knowledge: Legislative & Regulatory Mastery: Expert command of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury Regulations, ensuring all directorate activities withstand rigorous Auditor- General scrutiny.
Strategic Budgetary Planning: Mastery of Government Budget systems, including the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Estimates of National Expenditure (ENE), to align financial resources with strategic mandates.
Supply Chain Management (SCM) Oversight: Deep understanding of the Government SCM Framework and Preferential Procurement Policy, ensuring fair, equitable, and transparent procurement that meets developmental goals.
Financial Reporting Standards: Advanced knowledge of GRAP (Generally Recognised Accounting Practice) and GAAP, 106 ensuring that all financial statements and systems reflect the highest standards of accounting integrity.
Financial System Integration: Strategic proficiency in Government Financial Systems (e.
g.
, BAS, LOGIS) to monitor expenditure and prevent unauthorised or wasteful spending.
Skills: Executive Management & Planning: Advanced ability to architect complex operational plans and organise resources to meet high-level departmental objectives.
Programme & Project Management: Proven capacity to lead large-scale initiatives from inception to evaluation, ensuring delivery within specific timeframes and quality benchmarks.
Decision-Making Authority: The ability to make high-stakes decisions under pressure, balancing risk with organisational requirements.
Strategic Research & Information Gathering: Expert ability to conduct high- level research and synthesise complex data into actionable executive insights.
Numerical & Financial Analysis: Sophisticated numeracy skills for interpreting financial reports, identifying trends, and ensuring budgetary compliance.
Technical Report Writing: Mastery in drafting executive submissions, technical briefs, and formal reports that are concise, accurate, and persuasive.
Executive Diplomacy & Interpersonal Dynamics: Exceptional ability to navigate sensitive political and administrative landscapes, building rapport with stakeholders at all levels.
Strategic Communication: Highly developed verbal and written communication skills, ensuring clarity of purpose and alignment across the Directorate.
Complex Problem-Solving: A proactive approach to identifying systemic challenges and designing sustainable, innovative solutions.
Personal Attributes: Strategic Creativity: Possesses the ability to design original frameworks and innovative solutions to complex organisational challenges without requiring external direction.
Analytical Rigour: A high-level conceptual thinker capable of dissecting complex data and systemic issues to inform evidence-based executive decisions.
Unwavering Trustworthiness: Exemplifies the highest standards of professional ethics and confidentiality, serving as a reliable custodian of the Department’s reputation and resources.
Dedicated Leadership: Demonstrates a disciplined commitment to the public service mandate, driving functional excellence through personal accountability and perseverance.
Multi-Level Communication Mastery: Highly adept at articulating complex strategies to diverse audiences, ranging from frontline operational staff to political office bearers and executive boards.
Strategic Diplomacy: Combines an approachable demeanour with executive gravitas, ensuring the ability to build rapport while maintaining the authority required for senior leadership.
High-Stakes Tenacity: Replaces basic "hard work" with a sophisticated ability to maintain peak performance and quality of output under extreme pressure and within tight legislative timeframes.
Solution-Orientated Mindset: Proactively identifies bottlenecks and focuses on delivering tangible outcomes, fostering a culture of high performance within the Directorate.
Job Duties
Strategic SCM Governance & Process Innovation: Outcome: A compliant, agile, and technologically advanced SCM framework that anticipates legislative changes and drives departmental efficiency.Strategic Policy Leadership: Direct the research, design, and continuous improvement of SCM policies and strategies to ensure 100% alignment with National Treasury prescripts and the PFMA.
Systems & Internal Controls: Architect and oversee a rigorous internal control environment to proactively identify and mitigate procurement risks, preventing irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure.
Business Process Modernisation: Lead the transition toward digital SCM support tools and automated workflows to enhance transparency and reduce lead times across the value chain.
Strategic Demand & Procurement Planning: Outcome: A data- driven procurement strategy that aligns departmental needs with market realities and socio-economic objectives.
Integrated Planning: Direct the consolidation of regional requirements into a robust, credible Annual Procurement Plan that supports the Department’s strategic goals and infrastructure mandates.
Socio-Economic Impact: Oversee the implementation of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework, ensuring that "preference point" systems are strategically applied to meet development and transformation targets.
Technical Advisory: Provide executive oversight and high-level guidance on the development of complex Specifications, Terms of Reference (ToR), and Special Conditions of Contract.
High-Integrity Acquisition & Committee Management: Outcome: A transparent and legally defensible bid adjudication process that ensures value for money and institutional integrity.
Committee Governance: Ensure the statutory appointment and optimal functioning of Bid Specification, Evaluation, and Adjudication Committees, maintaining high ethical standards throughout.
Adjudication Leadership: Chair 107 the Sub-Bid Adjudication Committee with technical mastery, ensuring all recommendations are robust, unbiased, and fully compliant with the Central Supplier Database (CSD) requirements.
Market Intelligence: Lead the strategic sourcing function to ensure the Department leverages the best available market rates and supplier capabilities.
Contract Lifecycle & Supplier Performance Management: Outcome: Optimised service delivery through active monitoring and the rigorous enforcement of Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
Contract Stewardship: Establish a comprehensive contract management framework that ensures suppliers meet all performance obligations, delivering corrective measures or penalties where necessary.
Logistical & Auxiliary Excellence: Direct the procurement and management of the vehicle fleet, travel services, and archives, ensuring these auxiliary functions provide seamless support to the Department’s core operations.
Movable Asset Management & Financial Integrity: Outcome: An accurate, audited, and fully optimised Asset Register that reflects the true financial position of the Department.
Lifecycle Asset Management: Direct the strategic acquisition, maintenance, and disposal of movable assets, ensuring that warranties and maintenance plans are utilised to maximise asset lifespan.
Verification & Reporting: Oversee the execution of bi-annual asset verifications and ensure the Asset Register remains 100% reconciled with financial systems for year-end reporting.
Directorate Leadership & Financial Stewardship: Outcome: A high-performing, ethical Directorate that delivers against its operational plan within its allocated budget.
Executive Leadership: Mentor and develop the SCM team, fostering a culture of professional discipline, ethical conduct, and accountability for outcomes.
Fiscal Accountability: Exercise total oversight of the Directorate’s budget, ensuring expenditure is strictly monitored and aligned with the operational plan and Treasury guidelines.
Operational Reporting: Direct the submission of accurate and timely administrative and performance reports to ensure the Executive has real-time visibility into the SCM function.
