Procurement Specialist

Main job function

The Procurement Specialist is responsible for procurement/strategic sourcing of the companys products and services from global Telecommunication, IT and Networking vendors, to support internal stakeholders by establishing and maintaining long-term beneficial relationships and costing / pricing strategies.

• 3-5 years experience in a Service Provider environment or ICT / Telecommunications Industry
• 5-10 years experience in initiating, executing, evaluating and managing strategic sourcing/procurement activities
• Bachelors degree in commerce, Supply Chain or related tertiary qualification preferable
• Excellent understanding of the procurement processes
• Project management or service delivery background advantageous
• Product knowledge of networking, voice and secure cloud products and services
• Knowledge and experience of network infrastructure advantageous
• Excellent data analytical skills, Advanced Excel and other MS Office applications
• Basic Cost-Accounting skills an advantage
• Knowledge of ISP/data solution providers and markets across the globe
• Basic knowledge of telco regulations
• Develop procurement strategies that are innovative and cost-effective
• Re-design, refine and implement procurement policies, processes and related controls
• Provide professional sourcing support for key business initiatives, supply market research / intelligence to support business decisions in investments and budgets and establishment of local or international contracts
• Act as a subject matter expert in the various products and services, including sourcing and qualification of partners and suppliers in new geographic locations for existing or upcoming products and services requirements
• Review and ensure that all supplier and customer Contracts and SLAs are aligned
• Manage and maintain the supplier database from vetting of suppliers through to end of lifecycle, including tracking and forecasting all price increases
• Negotiate with suppliers to secure advantageous terms and ensure services are sourced and negotiated at market-related prices or less
• Ensure pricing books are up to date and communicated with management if any price changes take place
• Validate the purchase requisitions (PR) from the respective teams, ie: Solutions & Technical and understand all technical requirements, SLA and delivery lead times for all requests
• Prepare comparative statements of the quotations received from suppliers to select best source of supply
• Negotiate further discounts, based on confirmed order and obtain an official quote for all requests
• Manage, control and oversee the POR packs ensuring accuracy, completeness and sign-off
• Manage and control the logistics of product/service delivery, including liaising with clearing agents and overseeing tax and customs implications
• Analyze and report on annual spend per supplier and provide financial oversight on spend analytics and inflation
• Leverage and participate in partnership programs to maintain or enhance our partnership status, secure promotions, incentives and trainings offered, discounts/preferential rates and build brand awareness
• Track, manage and control the rebate process to ensure rebates requests are submitted and rebates are received
• Manage and own the supplier portals and deal registrations (Cisco, Fortinet and other)
• Leverage on marketing campaigns/events with suppliers by utilizing their financial and marketing resources to expand our brand awareness
• Participate in transformational, consolidation and negotiate annual cost-savings initiatives
• Analyze trends & provide proactive recommendations to the Solutions/Finance leadership team by highlighting potential risks & opportunities of the business

Vendor / Carrier Relations Management

• Forge professional and effective relationships with key stakeholders, supply chain colleagues, process partners and vendors to maintain effective service delivery and a seamless service for our clients
• Work with global suppliers, ensuring open and transparent communication of supplier feedback
• Develops, reviews, and refines supplier score cards and procedures for vendor rules of engagement
• Leverage score card analytics to make data-driven decisions and recommendations to stakeholders and leaders.
• Suppliers audits, Initiate and manage all supplier audits on compliance, quality and sustainability
• Manage and resolve supplier escalations from internal departments
• Responsible for resolving Supplier invoice holds and payment issues from suppliers.
• Track and monitor savings generated through supplier development, negotiations, part development/product substitution or any other such initiative
• Retrieve reports from the system and generate monthly reports to measure trends
• Periodically review current key contracts and supplier relationships

SLA / Credit Management and Cost Savings

• Ensure SLA criteria including penalties are in place with all suppliers
• Analyze the delivery of contract outcome against agreed SLA's and other performance criteria
• Negotiate necessary credit note with the supplier based on SLA reporting
• Obtain necessary credit note and ensure captured by Finance

Other

• Work both individually and as part of a team where appropriate
• Fulfil any training and/or examination requirements as per the Companys skills requirements
• Be willing to carry out or assist with such tasks as may be required to achieve deliverables, or as reasonably requested by a member of the client
• Regularly familiarize yourself with portfolio of Products and Services, Customers, Suppliers and internal Procedures
• Always be a professional and courteous representative

Necessary Experience and/or Qualification

• 3-5 years experience in a Service Provider environment or ICT / Telecommunications Industry
• 5-10 years experience in initiating, executing, evaluating and managing strategic sourcing activities
• Bachelors degree in commerce, Supply Chain or related tertiary qualification preferable
• Excellent understanding of the procurement processes
• Project management or service delivery background advantageous
• Product knowledge of networking, voice and secure cloud products and services
• Knowledge and experience of network infrastructure advantageous
• Excellent data analytical skills, Advanced Excel and other MS Office applications
• Basic Cost-Accounting skills an advantage
• Knowledge of ISP/data solution providers and markets across the globe
• Basic knowledge of telco regulations

Personal Skills/Competencies Required

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Competitive bidding and negotiation skills
• Vendor and contract management knowledge
• Value analysis, business case development & financial analytical skills
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Excellent problem-solving ability

A Consultant will be in touch if you are shortlisted for the position. Please consider your application unsuccessful should you not have been contacted within 2 weeks. We will keep your CV on our database and contact you should you match the criteria of any other vacancies.