VKB Agriculture (Pty) Ltd is a dynamic agricultural company with Head-Office based in Reitz in the Northeast Free State and business presence in Free State, Limpopo, Kwazulu-Natal and [Mpumalanga](). This organization strives towards healthy and modern business practices and offers employees the opportunity to utilize and develop their knowledge and skills in a competitive work environment. We offer you the opportunity to establish yourself within a professional corporate environment based in the countryside. *About you* You are keen to join a dynamic Information & Technology (I&T) team and a business outside of the city metropole areas. We will surround you with people who are as passionate about Information & Technology as you are.You have a proven track record in establishing Quality Assurance (QA) functions and are excited by the fact that this role will provide you with the opportunity to build the competency from the ground-up.You are detail-oriented, logical, incredibly thorough, and able to help our department and company maintain the highest quality standards but also have the ability to see the bigger picture and think outside the box. You are an experienced quality assurance specialist that has expanded your breadth and depth of knowledge to include strategy, governance, risk and compliance. You are an exceptionally organized, methodical professional with the experience necessary to take our people, processes, and systems to the next level with respect to adequacy, efficiency, accuracy, and security.You have experience in managing and training a team of business- and test analysts and have a pro-active approach ensuring a well maintained and performance driven solutions environment. *About the Role*This role, reporting to the I&T Manager: Governance, Risk and Compliance, is the first step in improving our QA maturity for all I&T processes. The incumbent of this role needs to have the ability to interpret, build upon, and customize best practice standards for the VKB Group and will be charged with developing a complete QA program that not only safeguards the quality of our systems, but also fosters a quality culture, in which all I&T and business resources become actively engaged in guaranteeing quality in both our Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and our production environments.The responsibilities include but are not limited to developing and implementing QA policies, defining, developing and conducting tests and inspections (manual and automated), identifying system, process, or people issues, and presenting solutions. The individual will also be responsible to educate various I&T teams in QA as well as training their own team in testing and testing execution.While the QA Lead needs to develop new standards and/or make improvements to current standards as needed, they also need to be able to take charge and if required personally create testing protocols (manual and/or automated) for implementation and execution across the SDLC.This role will engage with multiple projects or teams of subject matter experts, will develop, and strengthen internal/external relationships, establish cross-team partnerships to deliver on quality goals, maintain business continuity, and align enterprise releases to I&T business objectives.This role forms part of the I&T Governance, Risk and Compliance team and although the initial focus is Quality Assurance, the role will grow to cover a wider range of Governance, Risk and Compliance competencies once the QA competency has been successfully established.*Duties and Responsibilities:** Define, establish and implement a Software Quality Assurance Methodology and Framework for VKB I&T.* Take ownership and control of the newly implemented testing automation tool and implement the structures to enable the effective and efficient use of the tool.* Work with our current external testing consultants to design, develop, and execute scripts which validate, to a high degree of confidence, test cases defined within the project's test plan.* Enable the transitioning of automated testing from project to your newly established business as usual (BAU) team.* Collaborate with other team members to understand the scope of test cases that will be used for automated scripts.* Build and manage automation framework and performance tests.* Ensure full test coverage for assigned deliverables.* Define standards, methods, and procedures for test automation.* Act as the point of contact with our partner organizations for functional testing activities through the SDLC.* Manage and execute day-to-day testing activities (manual and/or automated) as assigned.* Supervise, train, and educate your team of junior business- and test analysts in Software Quality Assurance as well as technical test execution (manual and automated).* Plan, coordinate and set priorities for the testing team. These duties include but are not limited to work schedules, standard operating procedures, projects, and maintenance in accordance with the companys and I&T priorities and requirements.* Develop and coach team members in the areas of technical aptitude, customer service and communication to enhance the quality of testing delivered.* Design and facilitate a performance measurement framework for your team.* Review, evaluate, and analyze complex processes and information for the purpose of ensuring the I&T testing team meets established quality standards and remains compliant.* Continuous evaluation and enhancement of the QA and testing processes in line with COBIT and ITIL best practices.* Establish formats and mechanisms for regular and accurate management reporting of the QA competency.* Perform end-to-end process flows and system descriptions to identify gaps, risks and/or business process improvements across systems and integration platforms.* Establish I&T quality monitoring templates based on established quality standards, and quality monitoring technology. Document evaluations using the established templates.* Draft, implement and train the I&T personnel (all relevant teams) on all operational QA and testing procedures and documentation.* Resolve existing problems in the QA and testing space and develop solutions to recurring problems.* Provide input for short- and long-term QA and testing budgets to the I&T Manager: Governance, Risk and Compliance.* Maintain knowledge of QA and testing best practices, applications, and industry trends.* Documentation and maintenance of QA and testing artefacts.* Proactively identify trends based on quality evaluations and provide regular performance feedback for further analysis and management reporting.* Demonstrate integrity, respect, teamwork, and equity in all aspects of the job including dealing with the I&T team, customers, ensure that we have adequate controls and programs in place ultimately to successfully establish the QA competency for VKB, and fulfil business requirements.*Skills and Qualifications:** Minimum Grade 12.* Applicable Bachelors degree in Information Technology or related field preferred.* Project Management Professional (PMP), ITIL COBIT, Six Sigma, Quality Engineer, and/or Quality Auditor would be an advantage.* 5+ years of experience in an I&T QA/Testing management position leading complex projects in an enterprise environment and/or 5+ years of consulting experience within the SDLC.* Analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.* Demonstrated knowledge of testing best practices, version control practices and defect management practices.* Fully bilingual in English and Afrikaans (exceptional communication skills both verbal and written).* Strong work ethic with a fierce dedication to exceeding expectations.* Impeccable organizational skills with the ability to multitask and deliver results under pressure.* Effective manager who has achieved success working with diverse teams in different environments leveraging strengths of individuals and train junior staff to deliver superior results.* Ability to engage in detailed discussions while being able to visualize the bigger picture and see the end result.* Confident speaking in front of an audience with the interact and connect with Executives, Senior Business Management, external parties and subject matter experts.* Ability to understand and articulate complex concepts in a clear and concise manner.* Strong personal desire to improve and expand industry-related knowledge and grow into various I&T Governance, Risk and Compliance competencies.* Proven expertise in designing and implementing a QA function and strategy in a dynamic environment; strong knowledge of modern best practice QA models and approaches to supporting growing businesses.* Ability to document policies and procedures which are practical, feasible and sustainable.* Metrics driven management style. Ability to keep management apprised of teams status through metrics reporting.*Seniority Level*Middle IT Management
