IT Project Manager

Job Description

RCL FOODS is a deeply rooted South African food manufacturer that produces some of the country’s most-loved brands: Yum Yum peanut butter, Nola mayonnaise, Ouma rusks, and Sellati sugar, just to name a few. At the heart of our culture and strategy is our Purpose - WE GROW WHAT MATTERS - which encapsulates our belief in collectively doing that little more to create a positive impact that matters.

Visit our website at: www.rclfoods.com

RCL FOODS is seeking a highly skilled and results-driven IT Project Manager to join our IT team in Durban, playing a key role in delivering technology solutions across the business.

The purpose of the IT Project Manager role is to partner with internal business stakeholders to understand strategic and operational needs, and to collaborate with IT Partners and Solution Providers to identify, design, and implement technology solutions that align with business objectives and Enterprise Architecture principles, standards, and strategy.

The role is accountable for delivering solutions across key ERP and Microsoft technology landscapes, ensuring that all initiatives are effectively planned, executed, and completed within agreed scope, time, budget, and quality parameters through the application of industry-recognised project management methodologies.

This position is responsible for leading and managing project teams, driving clear and consistent stakeholder communication, and proactively identifying, assessing, and mitigating project risks and issues with appropriate ownership and action plans. A critical aspect of this role is the ability to bring strong exposure to infrastructure and technology environments, including ERP systems, databases, WAN and LAN networks, server platforms, desktops, Microsoft technologies, and cybersecurity, ensuring well-informed decision-making and solution delivery across a broad technical landscape.

Minimum Requirements

• IT Degree + Project Management Certification (PMBOK / Prince2)
• 5+ years’ experience managing IT projects end-to-end
• Strong exposure to infrastructure and technology solutions, including:

  o ERP systems, databases, WAN & LAN

  o Server platforms and desktops

  o Microsoft technologies and cybersecurity

• Proven ability to translate business needs into practical, scalable solutions
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills

Knowledge

• Formal certification in project management methodologies
• Prior proven track record in articulating a business need and exploring suitable options with making of recommendation as to most appropriate solution to best meet the business need.
• Understanding of contract management principles and service level agreements
• Experience with SAP, SYSPRO, and JDE is considered a strong advantage, enabling the successful candidate to contribute effectively within complex enterprise system environments and enhance overall project outcomes.

Duties & Responsibilities

Business Need Understanding and Solution Selection

• Partner with key Divisional Stakeholders to understand Divisional business needs and overall strategy.
• Through collaborative engagement with IT Enterprise Architect, IT Partners and Solution Providers agree appropriate solutions to best meet business needs and IT systems requirements.
• Undertake objective, critical analysis of proposed solutions to draw accurate conclusions that recognize and manage contextual issues .
• Work through issues, weigh up alternatives and identify the most effective / appropriate solutions .
• Explore a range of possibilities and creative alternatives to contribute to ultimate solution selection to best meet business needs and IT system requirements .
• Understand and position proposed solutions high level and micro design, solution costs once off and recurring vs current costs and solution implementation approach and impacts .
• Guide, lead and influence appropriate solution selection within the broader stakeholder audience based on overarching enterprise architecture and Technology Strategic principles

Project Management

• Direct and manage project development from beginning to end according to project management principles.
• Define project scope, goals and deliverables that support business goals in collaboration with senior / Executive management and business stakeholders.
• Develop good practice project documentation including project charters, project plans and associated communications documents.
• Effectively communicate project expectations to team members and stakeholders in a timely and clear fashion.
• Liaise and update project stakeholders on an ongoing basis throughout the project lifecycle.
• Estimate the resources and participants needed to achieve project goals.
• Develop and submit project budget proposals, and recommend subsequent budget change controls for approval where required, negotiate with other Divisional / Business Unit managers for the acquisition of required personnel from within the company.
• Determine, assess and recommend need for personnel or resources during the project life cycle.

Project Transition Management

• Work collaboratively with the Group Service Delivery Manager to ensure new and extended solutions delivered through the project lifecycle have a fully developed end to end support structure inclusive of formal support contract with appropriate service levels.
• Ensure that any new 3rd party contracts contain an agreed support schedule which aligns with the proposed support model and is backed up with SLAs managed through regular service reviews.
• Ensure an effective set of performance metrics and service levels are delivered for new services.
• Act as a gate keeper function that ensures effective transfer to Operations for all new solutions introduced through the project lifecycle.
• Identify and manage Operational risks to ensure a successful transition to service.
• Provide and handover to Operations a fully documented and updated solution design for formal transition from project support to ongoing operational run support.
• Ensure effective decommissioning of services no longer relevant in terms of new solution introduced through the project lifecycle, ensuring removal from billing schedules.