PROGRAMME MANAGER: Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains

UP Posting - Academic

South African Centre for Industry and Technology (SACIT)

PROGRAMME MANAGER: Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains

PEROMNES POST LEVEL 7 (ONE YEAR OUTSIDED FUNDED RENEWABLE CONTRACT)

In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy.

The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.

The South African Centre for Industry and Technology (SACIT), hosted by the University of Pretoria, convenes government, industry and academia to advance South Africa’s industrial and technological development. The Centre’s advanced manufacturing and supply chains programme builds impactful, multistakeholder projects with local and global partners (including the World Economic Forum and partner universities) to deliver on this mandate.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent will lead the overall success of the advanced manufacturing and supply chains programme within SACIT, including overseeing the programme strategy, project planning and execution, resource allocation and management, project monitoring and evaluation, programme performance reporting and stakeholder engagement and management. This senior role requires strong leadership, programme and project management and communication skills and the ability to forge and manage relationships with various internal (UP) and external stakeholders (government, industry, academic partners and NGOs) across the advanced manufacturing and supply chains landscape, locally and globally. A critical success factor in this role is the ability to convene and integrate stakeholders across government, industry and academia, drawing on an established personal network, to build impactful projects that deliver on SACIT’s mandate.

Responsibilities will include:

Programme Leadership and Project Delivery: set the programme strategy and lead the design, delivery, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation of projects across their full life cycle;

Research, Knowledge Production and Community Building: lead research on advanced manufacturing and supply chain systems; produce policy briefs, reports and publications; and build and maintain multistakeholder communities and working groups;

Stakeholder Engagement and Centre Representation: build networks at expert and C-Suite level across industry, government, NGOs and international bodies; secure project-related funding; and represent SACIT at conferences, forums and media platforms;

Team Management: manage direct reports and mentor postgraduate students, fellows and early-career researchers; and

Centre Leadership and Management: as part of the Centre’s leadership team, support and deputise for the Centre Director as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A relevant honours degree with at least 6 years of experience within a research and/or project delivery environment; OR

Relevant Bachelors/BTech degree with at least 4 years of experience within a research and/or project delivery environment;

Computer skills, including basic database management and proficiency in MS Word and MS Excel; and

A drivers licence.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

Strong professional communication skills (written and verbal);

Proven stakeholder and event management experience, including protocol and VIP liaison;

A demonstrated ability to strategically lead and manage a programme or centre in a complex organisational setting;

Excellent interpersonal skills, professionalism, integrity, and accountability;

Proven ability to coordinate projects across their full life cycle;

Ability to prioritise work independently and operate effectively under pressure;

Sound stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to interact professionally with internal and external partners;

Demonstrated ability to convene, facilitate and integrate multistakeholder platforms and working groups across government, industry and academia;

Strategic thinking with the ability to align programme plans with the broader vision and goals of SACIT and its partners;

High emotional intelligence and diplomacy with the ability to navigate complex political and institutional environments;

Budget management, procurement and financial reporting skills, with the ability to ensure compliance with institutional finance policies.

Strong problem-solving ability;

Ability to prepare, edit and quality-assure reports, briefings and presentations;

Working knowledge of governance, compliance and confidentiality requirements;

Proficiency in MS Office suite and digital collaboration tools; and

Competence in using document collaboration platforms (eg Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Sharepoint); and

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

A relevant Master’s degree with 6 years’ experience in project coordination or office administration at managerial/senior level, preferably within a higher education or research environment;

Proven exposure to multi-stakeholder, government, or donor-funded projects;

Experience with compliance, governance or research administration processes; and

Established relationships and networks across government, industry, civil society and academia in the advanced manufacturing and supply chains landscape in South Africa.

PLEASE NOTE: All shortlisted candidates may be required to participate in relevant skills assessments as part of the selection process.

Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za

In applying for this post, please attach:

A comprehensive CV;

Certified copies of qualifications;

Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact.

CLOSING DATE: 31 August 2026

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.

ENQUIRIES:

Ms Lynn Goss, lynn.goss@up.ac.za, for application-related enquiries,

Professor Wesley Rosslyn-Smith. Email: wesley.rosslyn-smith@up.ac.za for enquiries relating to the post content.

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 October 2026 please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.

In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited to candidates from under-represented designated groups.

All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply. All candidates agree to undergo verification of personal credentials.

By applying for this vacancy, the candidates consent to undergo verification of personal credentials and related information including, but not limited to, qualifications, criminal record, credit record, current and historic disciplinary proceedings as part of the selection process.

The University of Pretoria reserves the right to not fill the advertised positions