IT Systems Manager (Data Analytics)

About the role

We are seeking an experienced IT Systems Manager to lead data and analytics initiatives for a retail organisation. The role focuses on building a robust Master Data Management strategy, governing data quality, and delivering advanced analytics using Google Cloud technologies.

Key responsibilities

• Define and execute the Merchandise Master Data strategy covering product, vendor, pricing and inventory data.
• Develop and maintain data governance frameworks to ensure quality, security, lineage and regulatory compliance.
• Design and manage the Google Cloud Platform data ecosystem, including BigQuery as the central data warehouse.
• Drive reporting and visualization through Looker and Looker Studio, and support predictive modelling and machine‑learning projects.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of data engineers, scientists, analysts and reporting specialists.
• Collaborate with IT and business stakeholders to align data initiatives with strategic objectives.
• Manage vendor relationships and oversee commercial contracts related to data services.

Required profile

• Degree in Information Systems or related field.
• 8+ years of IT experience in a retail environment, with strong background in Merchandise Master Data Management.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing data‑focused teams.
• Deep knowledge of Google Cloud Platform and cloud‑native data solutions.
• Proven ability to manage cloud spend, consulting contracts and technology vendors.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Required skills

• Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
• BigQuery
• Looker / Looker Studio
• Advanced SQL
• Data Warehousing and Data Lake architectures
• Data architecture design principles
• Merchandise Master Data Management (MDM)
• Knowledge of POPIA and data privacy regulations