Business Unit Operational Intelligence Manager

Smollan; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading operational intelligence firm in Pretoria seeks a Senior Operational Intelligence Manager. This role involves leading the integration of intelligence activities, defining strategies for operational excellence, and managing cross-functional teams. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 8 years of experience in business intelligence, with strong analytical, project management, and communication skills. This position offers a competitive package and opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8-10 years' experience in business intelligence, analytics, or operational intelligence, preferably in FMCG.
• Proven track record of leading intelligence teams and delivering actionable insights.
• Experience in a complex multi-client environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and integrate intelligence activities to support business and client priorities.
• Define and implement the Operational Intelligence strategy.
• Ensure commercial sustainability by managing budgets and optimising resources.

Skills

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Project management skills

Business acumen

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Analytics, Data Science, Statistics, or a related field

Tools

COGNOS

Job description

Job Summary:

To lead the integration and delivery of operational intelligence and insights capabilities across the business unit, ensuring data‑driven decision‑making, strategic alignment, and measurable business impact.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables:

Operational Intelligence Oversight & Execution

• Lead the integration of intelligence activities to ensure cohesive delivery that supports business and client priorities.
• Define and implement the Operational Intelligence strategy for the business unit.
• Align intelligence outputs with business strategic objectives and client/customer goals.
• Support sustainable growth by aligning intelligence outputs with sales and client strategies.
• Ensure commercial sustainability by managing budgets effectively and optimising resource use.
• Identify and mitigate operational and strategic risks.

Process & Systems Design

• Manage the implementation of processes and systems, and monitor efficacy.
• Monitor processes and systems to ensure efficiency and short‑ and long‑term sustainability.
• Audit and enhance processes to meet evolving business needs.
• Implement best practices in operational intelligence across the business unit.

Insights Generation & Application

• Integrate operational, client, and customer data into actionable insights.
• Oversee standard and ad‑hoc reporting, ensuring alignment to business and client objectives.
• Present insights and performance analysis to stakeholders to drive decision‑making.
• Identify new business opportunities through intelligence‑led recommendations.

Operational Excellence & Customer Satisfaction

• Monitor performance against SLAs and quality standards.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives to improve delivery and service quality.
• Engage with operational teams to ensure execution excellence at the point of purchase.

Cross‑Functional Integration

• Ensure seamless integration of client, channel, and operational intelligence across the business unit and secondary Smollan business units.
• Serve as the key interface with Field Insights and align ways of working with multi‑channel service providers.
• Serve as the key interface for client Data and Technology teams.

Budget Management

• Draft annual budget and prepare and compile budget reports.
• Analyse monthly departmental budgeting and accounting reports and identify and mitigate variances.

Effective People Leadership and Team Management

Set performance standards and time frames. Monitor performance. Ensure staff development in terms of required competencies. Motivate, counsel and coach staff. Through effective inspirational and practical leadership, facilitate the creation of accountable, full‑service teams who understand and strive to meet the needs of all client, customer and group objectives. Create and encourage a culture focusing on delivery of objectives. Continually inspire, motivate and develop people to understand what is expected of them (co‑create a team/organisational culture of high accountability). Take full responsibility for the performance of all direct reports, motivating and managing them in relation to quality standards and agreed benchmarks and objectives, focusing on all aspects of sound people management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Analytics, Data Science, Statistics, or a related field.
• Minimum 8‑10 years' experience in business intelligence, analytics, or operational intelligence, preferably within FMCG or a complex multi‑client environment.
• Proven track record of leading cross‑functional intelligence teams and delivering actionable insights to senior leadership.
• Experience in COGNOS advantageous.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to integrate diverse data sources into coherent insights.
• Project management skills.
• Business acumen.
• Communication (written & verbal), presentation and storytelling skills.