Business Unit Manager - HPI & Print

About the position

Purpose of the Role:

As the Business Unit (BU) Manager, you will be responsible for managing and growing the HPI & Print Division. This role offers a unique opportunity to set the direction of the BU, develop strategic partnerships, and lead a talented team of professionals.

With your strong technological expertise, leadership skills, and business acumen, you will ensure the success of the BU both internally and externally.

Key Responsibilities:

Demand/Forecast planning:

• Compiling a forecasting plan weekly, monthly and quarterly; accurately determining the "sell-out" for the month and reflecting an understanding of why additional stock is required in terms of key market factors.
• Placing purchase orders on backlogs with due consideration to relevant factors, obtaining sign off from Managing Director before placing order.
• Placing purchase orders within limits of authority, using standard procedures and guidelines.
• Planning "back-to-back" orders required, managing lead times and pricing to achieve profit margins.
• Factor specific logistical considerations, relating to product, into purchase orders placed.
• Managing lead times with various Freight Forwarders; negotiating shipping terms and costs
• Managing Vendor MOQ's requirements.
• Actively manage the ETA (estimated time of arrival) process on a daily basis to ensure that delivery dates are accurate and met.
• Ensure that expediting processes are followed in order to facilitate the timeous delivery of purchase orders placed.

Maximize stock efficiencies:

• Managing stock days and aged inventory as per allocated budget.
• Meeting vendor inventory requirements, thereby maximizing potential vendor rebates.
• Resolving stock issues experienced by facilitating solutions, which do not negatively impact profit margins.
• Ensuring optimum stock levels in order to maximize sales potential.
• Proactively implement action plans for ageing inventory.

Managing Vendor relationships:

• Establishing sound relationships with various stakeholders within the allocated Vendor/s through regular meetings and networking opportunities; main Vendor in Dubai & UK.
• Negotiating terms and pricing concessions with Vendor, using opportunities identified to engage in negotiations.
• Calculating rebates, using relevant information before presenting to Managing Director for confirmation.
• Negotiating extended payment terms with various vendors.
• Dealing with product issues, making decisions which serve the company's best interests whilst maintaining a positive relationship with the Vendor, referring major problems to the Managing Director for resolution.

Manage Pricing:

• Contribute to pricing models with consideration to competitor activity, rate of exchange and various other relevant factors.
• Determine "first line" pricing management decisions, within established parameters according to segment, based on an understanding of margins to be achieved.
• Assisting sales team with pricing decisions and price list management by calculating viable discounts and promotions within agreed parameters.

Market development:

• Implementing plans to drive product sales, ensuring MDF budgets are not exceeded.
• Analyzing competitor activity to assist in formulating effective promotion deals.
• Presenting to the Vendor to motivate for funding, achieving approval for planned interventions.
• Meeting with the Marketing team, communicating the agreed focus of the marketing initiatives; for them to plan and execute accordingly.
• Collaborating with the relevant stakeholders at the Marketing events to achieve effective promotion of the Product.
• Driving promotions, flyers and other branding initiatives, complying with allocated budget.

Sales Support:

• Aligning with company sales structure and strategic growth areas to achieve sales growth.
• Promoting allocated products within the Sales team, enabling an understanding and appreciation of the product, which will facilitate the sales process.
• Conducting training workshops for the sales team, conveying an understanding of the positioning of the product and potential markets.
• Arranging product certification for members of the sales and technical team, as appropriate.
• Providing supporting documentation and tools relating to the product which are easily accessible for use by the sales team.
• Assisting members of the sales team with presentations to prospective clients, as requested, promoting the product to achieve sales.
• Providing specialist product knowledge to client, as required by the sales team, conveying a clear understanding in terms of the product's ability to address the client's needs.

Team Leadership:

• Lead, inspire, and develop a team of dedicated professionals.

Manage self-development:

• Agree individual development plan annually with the Department Head / Manager, focusing on skills gaps identified in performance discussions.
• Attend training scheduled according to the development plan, demonstrating skills and knowledge acquired.
• Ensure that functional knowledge is relevant and continually updated.
• Use initiative to research relevant information in order to keep abreast with changes and new developments in the field.
• Exhibit a commitment to learning from others within the team.
• Ensure that functional knowledge is relevant and continually updated by attending weekly training sessions when offered.

Education:

• Grade 12 or equivalent.
• Tertiary qualification preferable; a BComm is ideal.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a similar role.
• Demonstrated success in team leadership.
• Extensive experience in selling hardware and software solutions, preferably within African markets.
• Expertise in channel development and distribution strategies.

Skills:

• Deep knowledge of IT hardware distribution, including market challenges and opportunities.
• Proficient in risk management and compliance, with strong expertise in business-oriented reporting and analysis.
• Proven success in strategic planning, business development, team management, and leadership.
• Proficient in managing budgets, analysing financial data, and ensuring profitability while maintaining cost-effectiveness within the business unit.
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly advanced Excel skills.

Personal Attributes:

• You demonstrate strong leadership skills by inspiring and motivating your team to achieve business goals while fostering a collaborative work environment.
• You excel in strategic thinking by developing and executing plans that align with the organisation's vision and drive long-term success.
• You are a results-driven individual who prioritises achieving targets, managing budgets effectively, and optimising resources to maximize performance.
• You have excellent interpersonal skills that enable you to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, customers, and team members.
• You are adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges, showing the ability to pivot strategies and maintain focus under pressure.

Working Conditions:

• Office-based with standard business hours (some flexibility may be required).
• May be required to work overtime occasionally depending on business needs.

Additional

• Reliable transport.
• This is an office-based position in the Woodmead branch.

Desired Skills:

• Business Unit Manager
• Operations Manager
• Vendor Management
• IT Hardware
• Distribution
• Budget
• Forecast
• Business Development
• Risk
• Software
• Sales Support
• Planning

Desired Work Experience:

• 2 to 5 years

Desired Qualification Level:

• Diploma

About The Employer:

An innovator in Africa's technology supply chain, partnering with the world's leading IT vendors and the continent's top value-added resellers and systems integrators to deliver customer-centric solutions.

Employer & Job Benefits:

• Onsite canteen with breakfast and snacks
• car wash service
• employee forums to engage staff
• Care Fund available to assist employees financially
• Cost to Company