Manager - Retail Strategy at Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd.

About the Job 

Manage the Retail strategy programme by building an effective programme and change management plan from initiation through planning, design, implementation, monitoring and close out to deliver on all approved strategic initiative goals.
Establish strong partnerships with key project managers (Ikhwezi, Sirius, Ultra etc.) and leverage retail, marketing, operations, network, engineering, finance and other cross functional resources for a sustained on time and within budget programme execution.
Manage the post Retail restructuring change management process and effectively lead the competence assessment, knowledge management and best practices sharing of learnings across the business for continues team improvement
Own the process of planning and optimizing the movement of fuel marketing, deregulation, and strategy across the value chain with focus on efficiency, reliability, and profitability, coordinating sales and marketing.
Accountable for the end-to-end P&L and the value chain activities required to deliver it cross-functionally

Financial Perspective

Effectively lead and own the Retail strategy programme management with the de-regulation strategic planning process to achieve the Retail business unit goals by 2030:

• EBITDA of $100
• IRR > 20%
• >30% hinterland (Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and part of Northern Cape) market share
• Manage capex & opex to deliver key retail projects on time, within cost and in line with strategic business goals.
• Responsible for delivering the Retail strategy programme by adhering to the Astron Energy project delivery process (PDP) with standard performance reports to steerco members
• Monitor and benchmark market trends including competitor activity, regulatory changes, industry trends and new business opportunities to deliver the Retail & Marketing P&L.
• Seeks opportunity to optimize OPEX
• Develop and support with the consistent application of economic analysis for the preparation and submission of business cases
• Develop and implement Pricing strategies for the various product channels and Retail business unit.
• Provide price, supply and market updates as required on current market dynamics and/or competitor behaviours that may affect volume, product purchases, distribution and/or profitability
• Manage the transfer pricing system for all products between business units and across countries.

Customer Perspective

• Facilitate analysis, identification, and prioritization of key strategic markets in collaboration with EVCO, Finance and other cross functional teams.
• Assess market trends, customer behaviour and competitors
• Conduct research and analysis of fuel regulation, policies, and external market forces
• Keep abreast of retail industry and socio-economic conditions as they relate to the retail business and asses their impact on Retail’s game plan
• Organize periodic stakeholder workshops and programme development sessions for internal and external stakeholders to inform them of retail trends and the retail business strategic priorities
• Ensure that all policies and procedures for governance are adhered to and that appropriate internal controls are in place for management and reporting compliance

Business Excellence

• Manage the development of strategic initiatives from concept to execution including the Astron Energy deregulation strategic opportunities
• Align departmental goals, processes, and resource allocation with the long-term retail business strategy whilst managing operational compliance with terms and conditions to include the creation and management of SLA’s and KPIs
• Prepare and implement annual work plans, including strategic or innovative initiatives, with set delivery and financing targets.
• Report monthly on programme implementation status, including annual monitoring reporting, financial reporting, audit, and update of the relevant PDP database
• Undertake monitoring and evaluation of the retail strategy programme

People Management

• Develop High Performing teams within Retail with the ability to deliver on a broad range of business priorities
• Build and nurture strong advisory relationships with key internal and external senior stakeholders including influencing executives and shareholders
• Drive and oversee the retail and marketing team competence assessment and team capacity building process to deliver goals
• Influence people from diverse backgrounds, embed new ways of working and help shape the ‘ONE’ Retail culture.
• Set annual performance parameters and learning objectives, assess performance and provide feedback to business
• Document programme lessons learnt and best practices and facilitate their dissemination and incorporation into the business
• Support capacity building and networking of retail and cross functional teams to facilitate knowledge exchange and promote collaboration.

• Work closely with PMs to ensure projects fit with the overall retail strategic programme and the broad Astron Energy strategic initiatives
• Support and guide senior executive decision-making processes

Professional Qualification and Certifications:

• A master’s degree in business administration, project management, marketing, social sciences, or other relevant related fields.
• Programme / Project Management Professional certification (PMI PMP, PRINCE2 or similar) is desirable

Work Experience:

• 15+ years of cumulative experience in project and change management including managing diverse portfolios
• Strategic and managerial leadership in the oil industry with a good understanding of the South Africa market.
• Track record in leading and developing cross functional business teams across multiple locations and in different geographical areas
• Experience in the Fuel Industry, preferably in the Retail environment, is desirable
• Entrepreneurial or startup experience is a plus

Competencies:

• Strong business, commercial and financial acumen
• Managing complexity and change
• Managing upwards with Exco members and shareholder stakeholders.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the fuel industry and customer insights
• Results driven, takes initiative to act on opportunities by maximizing available resources for positive business commercial impact.
• Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinking long term and externally to positively grow the Retail organisation
• Agile, open to change, flexible in a fast-paced environment and effectively adapting his/her approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements.
• Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs, and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles and contributing to the overall business team spirit.
• Excellent teamwork, people management and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills. 
• Builds and maintains strong internal and external relationships