Business Unit Executive (80101440)

Job Advert Summary

We are looking for an experienced Business Unit Executive to take overall responsibility for the leadership, strategic and management direction, and business results of the Business Unit.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Executive Management team to ensure that appropriate goals are established and that the resources required to meet them are effectively managed, within the Business Unit and the Group.

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned steel-industry leader who can balance commercial delivery, operational excellence, financial discipline and governance, while building a motivated and capable workforce.

Strategic Performance & Commercial Delivery

• Monitor and review the Business Unit’s sales budget and ensure trading profit is achieved and optimised.
• Ensure the sales force is managed effectively and provided with the correct guidance to optimise sales efforts.
• Translate organisational goals from the business plan into clear commercial direction and monitor delivery against targets.
• Evaluate the business plan, set commercial targets and develop an operational plan to ensure approved sales objectives are achieved.

Operational Coordination & Service Delivery

• Take overall responsibility for the leadership, strategic and management direction, and operating results of the Business Unit.
• Implement a sound, long-term strategy that increases value and meets the needs of customers, employees and other stakeholders.
• Obtain and allocate resources consistent with strategic objectives and make timely adjustments to strategy as market conditions demand.
• Plan, monitor and review implementation of the operational plan and ensure appropriate remedial actions are taken.
• Review and integrate functional plans to achieve balance between functions and optimal utilisation of resources.
• Review the value of practices, systems and structures and take remedial action where necessary.
• Ensure coordination of Group Business Unit activities and provide effective intergroup support.

Financial Performance & Cost Management

• Take full ownership of a comprehensive budgeting process and monitor performance against budget.
• Determine and submit annual financial objectives for approval by Executive Management and the Board.
• Monitor attainment of financial goals and maintain spending in accordance with approved capital expenditure and other investment budgets.
• Develop operational, capex and labour budgets at Business Unit level and manage the Business Unit in line with them.
• Implement standardised budget control systems, enforce short intervals of control, and evaluate negative trends and introduce remedial solutions.
• Anticipate change, forecast deviations and initiate internal audits.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Identify and communicate risks and opportunities to Executive Management and proactively manage such risks.
• Foster a culture of ethical behaviour in line with sound corporate governance principles.
• Implement and maintain risk control measures to minimise liability.
• Proactively ensure the Business Unit complies with all legal and fiduciary obligations.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of organisational standards, policies and procedures, and monitor implementation.
• Take accountability for the implementation and communication of health, safety and environmental policies and procedures.
• Approve remedial actions timeously to address non-conformances.

People Leadership, Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Actively motivate and inspire employees to adopt the Group’s values and culture and realise the organisation’s vision.
• Be accountable for the Business Unit’s performance within the agreed strategic framework and approved plans.
• Conduct workforce planning and implement people development processes, including performance management, succession planning and talent management.
• Agree and implement own and subordinates’ development plans; coach team members and mentor subordinates once removed.
• Analyse trends, identify competence and training gaps, and forecast learning requirements linked to legislative and industry changes.
• Maintain and review employee relations and proactively address non-compliance issues.
• Establish and manage healthy, workable internal and external relationships, including supplier relationships.
• Provide specialised technical and professional support to internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Candidate Profile

We are seeking a senior leader who has built their career through progressively senior roles in the steel or process-related industry, and who has a proven track record of delivering commercial results, operational excellence and sound governance at Business Unit level.

The ideal candidate will have a proven history of:

• Leading a Business Unit and delivering sales, revenue and trading profit targets.
• Translating the business plan into clear commercial and operational direction.
• Owning budgeting, capex and labour cost management with strong financial control.
• Managing risk, governance and legal compliance, including health, safety and environmental accountability.
• Leading, developing and mentoring senior teams, including succession and talent management.
• Building strong relationships with Executive Management, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.

Qualifications & Experience

• NQF Level 7: 3-year degree / Advanced Diploma in B.Com or an Engineering-related field (essential).
• NQF Level 9: Master’s in Business Administration or Leadership (recommended).
• 6 years’ operational experience in the steel-related industry (essential).
• 5 years’ management experience and 5 years’ senior management experience in the steel / process-related industry (essential).
• 16 years’ total experience.

Technical Skills & Systems

Working knowledge of the following:

• MS Excel (intermediate)
• MS Word (intermediate)
• SAP (basic)
• MS PowerPoint (basic)

Key Competencies

• Problem-solving skills
• Planning skills
• Organising skills
• Change management skills
• Decision-making skills
• Persuasiveness
• Interpersonal skills
• Coaching skills
• Mentoring skills
• Communication skills
• Presentation skills
• Facilitation skills
• Coping under pressure
• Conflict handling skills