Principal Specialist in Midrand

When it comes to putting people first, we're number 1. The number 1 Top Employer in South Africa. Certified by the Top Employer Institute 2024. Role Purpose/Business Unit:

• Are you ready to join Vodacoms exciting world of Digital IT and become part of a high performing, dynamic technology team? With our customers at the heart of our purpose, you will be part of the evolution of our IT technology landscape, harnessing the latest technical innovations available.
• Overall, end-to-end IT technical support in ensuring that the Retail IT systems, networks and infrastructure are reliable, secure while also providing responsive and effective support to users and stores.
• Manage the Retail IT servers, networks, services and applications to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and security.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Provide technical expertise, and operational support and to maintain continuity of the servers and services.
• Investigating and resolving technical issues that arise on the Retail systems or applications.
• Conduct root cause analysis, proposing and implementing solutions.
• Implementing and maintaining of security measures to protect the Retail systems and data from unauthorized access or breaches.
• Measuring and monitoring the impact of system changes and improvements
• Control and governance for all Retail servers, services and systems (operating procedures and run books).
• Identifying opportunities to improve on the Retail IT systems, processes, and procedures to increase efficiency, reliability, and security.
• Manage any infrastructure projects and tasks with proper planning and continuous monitoring of the progress with regular updates. Must be able to identify any show stoppers or bottle necks and delays and and be able to adjust plans as needed to stay on track
• The end-to-end technical support as detailed above for the below list of servers and services
• Manage application development based agile practices.
• End to End Service management
• Budget management and cost control
• Vendor Management
• Carry out investigations and evaluation of new solutions/developments, also responsible for impact and cost benefit analyses.
• Provide technical lead for cross functional projects. Identify key risk areas and ensure governance models are adhered to. Manage key relationships with stakeholders and business partners.
• Setting strategic direction in Retail IS Operational environment.
• Conduct research on strategic trends and technologies with the aim of developing roadmaps and benchmark against best practices.
• Compile strategic and operations processes and procedures against benchmarks.
• Perform an escalated support function within Retail IS Operations. Sharing of expertise.
• Evaluate, position, manage and present key technical recommendations and solutions to business stakeholders and senior management.
• Negotiate and manage contracts and associated budgets where applicable. Represent Retail IS in contract discussions.

The Ideal candidate for this role will have: Must have technical / professional qualifications:

• Grade 12/Matric is essential
• 3 year degree or diploma in IT, Engineering, Computer Science or relevant field is essential
• 8+ years of experience in IS Systems is essential, with at least 5+ years in a retail environment.

Core competencies, knowledge and experience:

• Working in accordance with DevSecOps practices.
• Oversee technical operations, in a large-scale on-premises and cloud-based technical environment.
• Experience in software development is a pre-requisite.
• Agile tooling: Jira, Confluence, Remedy
• Technologies: ReactJS, SQL, SAP BI Reporting, AWS.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the Ability to analyse complex technical issues, troubleshoot problems and providing solutions and direction
• Technical Project management experience
• Vendor and contract management
• Communication and persuasion skills
• Analytical thinking and problem solving
• Negotiation skills
• Technical writing and explaining skills
• Innovation/creativity
• Strategic thinking/ problem solving
• Business acumen
• Leading and supervising
• Deciding and initiating action
• Research methodologies

We make an impact by offering:

• Enticing incentive programs, competitive benefit packages, and an exclusive 13th cheque
• Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits
• Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fibre connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies

Closing date for Applications: 23 April 2024 The base location for this role is Vodacom Midrand Campus The company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply. Vodacom is committed to an organizational culture that recognizes, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.