Information Security Operations (SecOps) Lead

Dis-Chem Pharmacies has an opportunity available for an Information Security Operations (SecOps) to Lead day-to-day security monitoring, detection, and response activities across Dis-Chem’s technology environment. Oversees operation of endpoint, network, and perimeter security tools, and manages outsourced SOC/MSSP partners providing 24/7 monitoring. Coordinates incident handling, containment, and recovery in partnership with Technology Resilience and Infrastructure teams. Ensures consistent application of CISO policies, security engineering standards, and “shift-left” practices across platform squads. Builds execution capability in a small, high-dependency environment with heavy reliance on external vendors

Requirements

• Degree in Information Security, IT, Risk Management, or related field, or 7 + years' experience in similar role
• 5+ years’ experience in IT security or vendor risk management, preferably in a multi-vendor environment
• Exposure to outsourced service models, SOC/MDR providers, and cloud-hosted solutions.

Responsibilities

Security Operations & Monitoring

• Lead daily operation of core security tools (endpoint protection, email security, network monitoring, SIEM/SOC integrations)
• Manage outsourced SOC/MSSP providers, ensuring effective alert triage, escalation, and 24/7 coverage
• Review critical alerts and prioritize response actions; coordinate with platform squads and IT ops to address vulnerabilities and misconfigurations
• Ensure logging, monitoring, and detection coverage across applications, infrastructure, cloud, and retail environments

Incident Management & Response

• Oversee end-to-end cyber incident handling (analysis, containment, recovery) with CISO, Infrastructure, Technology Resilience, and external vendors
• Maintain incident runbooks and ensure readiness for security events affecting stores, IT platforms, digital engagement, and data systems
• Conduct post-incident reviews and drive follow-up actions to reduce recurrence.

Security Engineering & Execution

• Implement and enforce secure configuration baselines for infrastructure, networks, endpoints, and cloud workloads
• Support rollout of security guardrails and “secure-by-design” patterns within development and integration squads
• Guide security champions within squads and provide practical coaching on controls, tooling, and remediation steps
• Partner with Enterprise Architecture to validate technical designs against CISO standards

Competencies

Domain Expertise

• Strong understanding of third-party risk, vendor security controls, and security assessment methods
• Knowledge of risk domains relevant to retail pharmacy (hosting, data protection, resilience, availability, integrations)
• Familiarity with regulatory and contractual security requirements.

Leadership & Commercial Acumen

• Ability to influence vendors and internal stakeholders toward secure-by-design decisions
• Strong negotiation and communication skills to articulate risks and required mitigations.

Key Performance Indicators

• Vendors assessed and risk-rated before onboarding
• Remediation closure rate for vendor findings
• Contribution to culture, accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement
• Reduction in vendor-related incidents or outages
• Quality and completeness of vendor risk documentation
• Stakeholder satisfaction with vendor risk process

ONLY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED. IF YOU HAVEN`T BEEN CONTACTED WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE, CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION AS UNSUCCESSFUL.

Dis-Chem Pharmacies is an equal opportunity employer. Dis-Chem’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to Dis-Chem’s Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. Dis-Chem actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities.