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Role Summary/Purpose
The SSA Localization Manager is responsible for the overall localization strategy and execution as a commercial enabler and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations for Wabtec’s operations in South Africa. The role involves extensive internal and external stakeholder management including internal functions, customers, partners, suppliers, and government departments. The Localization Manager will be expected to develop and integrate processes and manage complex issues to support execution of the business strategy.
Essential Responsibilities
- Serve as the business partner to the leadership team, commercial and operating teams to enable complaint business strategy execution. Lead the Localization PMO supporting all of Wabtec’s local operations to define the localization strategy, detailed operating plans for various localization pillars, budgets, coordinate execution with various functional owners and consultants, track and report progress both internally and externally
- BBBEE Compliance – lead BBBEE compliance planning, budgeting, and execution to ensure that all local Wabtec legal entities are compliant with the BBBEE codes to enable them to continue to do business with various state owned entities.
- Localization commitments – project manage negotiation, planning, execution and reporting for specific localization commitments tied specific transactions and projects with customers. Commitments include specific Local Content obligations and Enterprise Development commitments with defined compliance thresholds.
- National Industrial Participation Programme (NIPP) – lead the development of the business NIPP strategy and execution for the business, including developing necessary processes to identify, execute, track and report on selected projects to support the business’s commercial activities.
- Supplier Development – collaboration with Commercial, Supply Chain / Sourcing functions to identify and manage the development of local suppliers to enhance the competitiveness, capacity and capability of the local supplier base in order to support both the local and export markets for Wabtec.
- Stakeholder Management & Reporting – lead internal coordination and the company’s external engagements with key stakeholders such as customers, partners, suppliers, and government agencies for strategy formulation, communication of Wabtec’s position on policies, submission of various periodic reports, negotiations and resolution of complex issues.
Qualifications / Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent knowledge or experience
- At least 10 years of experience in a senior localization or supply chain / sourcing leadership position
- Experience with implementing/managing NIPP programs/projects will be advantageous
- Able to anticipate, identify, and resolve complex issues with multiple stakeholders and regulators
- Demonstrated cross functional team leadership and project management ability
- Established analytical ability with strong computer literacy proficiency
- Must have valid authorization to work full-time without any restriction in the role’s location
Desired Characteristics
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Established project management skills
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
- Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve problems
- Ability to document, plan, market, and execute programs
Wabtec Corporation is committed to taking on the world’s toughest challenges. In order to fulfill that commitment we rely on a culture of leadership, diversity and inclusiveness. We aim to employ the world’s brightest minds to help us create a limitless source of ideas and opportunities. We believe in hiring talented people of varied backgrounds, experiences and styles…people like you! Wabtec Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, or protected Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.