Procurement and Supply Chain Specialist

Procurement and Supply Chain Department Benoni – South Africa (on-site) Business Unit: Procurement and Supply Chain Reports To: Procurement & Supply Chain Manager APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOW AT THE END ROLE OVERVIEW Kwikot (Haier) South Africa operates in a demanding manufacturing and supply chain environment, prioritising safety, quality, innovation, efficiency, continuous improvement, and customer service. The Company seeks an experienced Procurement and Supply Chain Specialist who will refine procurement and supply chain processes, enhance supply chain efficiencies, champion sustainability, and integrate lean practices. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, exceptional analytical competencies, and strong critical thinking. The candidate will be proficient in negotiations, advanced data analytics, process automation, risk management, and AI technologies. A forward-thinking mindset anchored in governance, speed, and strategic impact is essential to shaping procurement and supply chain strategies. DETAILED ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Supplier Relationship Management Cultivate and strategically manage relationships with local and international suppliers across procurement categories: Direct Materials, Indirect Materials, Capital Expenditure (CAPEX), and Services. Drive supplier innovation, embedding best practices within Kwikot (Haier)’s operational framework. Negotiate and manage supplier contracts to optimise commercial and operational outcomes. Ensure rigorous compliance with corporate policies and regulatory standards. Conduct supplier performance reviews and implement corrective actions. Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders including Quality Assurance, Supply Chain Operations, Research & Development, Finance, Engineering, and Production to align procurement strategies with organisational objectives. Act as the primary liaison between procurement and operational teams, proactively challenging traditional methods to facilitate optimal results. Strategic Procurement & Planning Develop and execute comprehensive annual procurement strategies, targeting quality, cost management, strategic renegotiations, and operational efficiency. Prepare and present sourcing strategies for executive approval, executing them meticulously. Lead rigorous cost and variance analyses, presenting insightful reporting to support strategic decisions. Champion a forward-looking approach by anticipating market trends, leveraging new technologies, and actively shaping procurement roadmaps that align with organisational growth. Supplier Evaluation & Development Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers in collaboration with internal stakeholders. Lead supplier development initiatives that bolster sustainability, reliability, quality, and innovation. Financial & Operational Target Management Deliver on financial and operational targets, including cost savings, advantageous payment terms, inventory optimisation, and effective contracting. Drive improvements in supplier quality metrics, reduce Supplier Corrective Rates (SCR) and parts per million (ppm) defect rates. Lead procurement-driven optimization and cost-avoidance initiatives. Demand, Forecasting & Supply Chain Optimisation Manage accurate demand forecasting (including S&OP), robust materials planning, and expedited procurement processes to sustain seamless production workflows. Improve planning accuracy through performance tracking and collaboration. Continuously optimise Net Operating Working Capital (NOWC) to improve financial efficiency. Data Analysis & AI Utilisation Leverage data analytics and AI-driven platforms (Power BI, SQL, advanced Excel) to analyse and improve supply chain performance. Utilise data-driven insights to refine procurement practices, supplier costs, elevate forecasting accuracy, and enhance decision-making processes. Risk Management Identify and mitigate risks across the supply base. Establish robust contingency plans. Compliance, Governance & Administration Ensure rigorous governance while maintaining speed, agility and responsiveness. Ensure ethical sourcing, regulatory compliance, and corporate controls. Manage reporting, dashboards, audit readiness, and accurate documentation. Collaborate with auditors (internal and external), address audit requests promptly, and implement corrective actions. Uphold the highest standards of integrity, promoting a culture of accountability and transparency. Continuous Improvement & Sustainability Embed Lean methodologies and continuous improvement strategies throughout procurement and supply chain processes. Lead and advocate for sustainability initiatives, responsible sourcing, and environmental stewardship. Leadership & Development Mentor and develop suppliers. Foster an organisational culture characterised by accountability, professional growth, transparency, and continuous learning. Knowledge sharing with colleagues. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs) Financial Performance: Spend Under Management, Cost Savings & Avoidance, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Supplier Performance: On-Time Delivery (OTD/OTIF), Quality (Defect Rate, SCR, ppm), Value-Added Negotiations. Process Efficiency: PO Cycle Time, Inventory Turnover (NOWC), Lead Time Variability, Speed of Execution. Compliance & Risk: Contract Compliance, Supplier Risk, Audit Results, ESG & B-BBEE alignment. Strategic Impact: Continuous Improvement Initiatives, Supply Chain Resilience Communication & Responsiveness: Stakeholder Engagement, Information Accuracy, Speed in Execution. CORE COMPETENCIES Energy: Proactive, results-oriented mindset with a strong drive to deliver outcomes. Ability to lead self and others. Customer Focus: Collaborative and service-minded with a focus on delivering excellence to both internal and external stakeholders. Agility: Adaptable, decisive, and composed under pressure with sound situational judgement. Growth: Forward-thinking, innovation-driven, and critical thinker. Committed to personal development, coaching, and continuous learning. Communication & Responsiveness: Effective communicator, capable of influencing across functions and acting with speed and accuracy. Data Intelligence: Strong with numbers, analytics, and digital tools to drive insight-led decision-making. Negotiation: Skilled in commercial negotiation, supplier engagement, and achieving win‑win outcomes. Resilience: Maintains composure and effectiveness in fast-paced, high‑pressure environments. EDUCATIONAL AND PREOFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, Business Administration, Business Analysis, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, or related discipline (CIPS) Postgraduate qualification/MCIPS highly advantageous. Minimum three years' procurement and supply chain experience across multiple categories (Direct Materials, Indirect Materials, CAPEX, Services). Strong knowledge in Cost, Price and Total Cost Analysis (TCO) Proven proficiency in data and business analytics, AI-driven procurement tools, and process optimisation. Excellent negotiation, analytical, and strategic planning skills. Expertise in ERP/MRP systems, advanced Excel, Power BI, SQL, and related AI analytics. Excellent English communication skills (verbal and written). Able to interpret and translate technical information and knowledge. Demonstrated capability to implement innovative, value-adding solutions. Project management Own transport – the role requires regular visits to suppliers and industry related events. WHERE YOU'LL BE You will be based onsite Benoni, South Africa in the corporate commercial office based onsite at the manufacturing facility. KEEPING YOU HEALTHY AND SAFE We want you to return home in even better shape than when you started, so we need you to help us do this by making sure you follow a few simple steps. We need you to: Make sure you take reasonable care of your own health and safety, and Take reasonable care that what you do (or what you don’t do when you should have) doesn’t affect the health and safety of others, and Follow reasonable instructions that we might give from time-to-time, such as reporting incidents and hazards, and Follow policies or procedures, so long as it’s reasonable and we’ve told you about it, and Attend training that helps you to work safely. KINDLY TAKE NOTE OF THE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1: Complete the online application form that follows STEP 2: Email your CV and cover letter (with subject line: Vacancy – Procurement and Supply Chain Specialist) to ONE of the following HR team members: IMPORTANT NOTE Only applications that match the skills required will be considered No late applications will be considered. Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks of submitting your application, please view your application as unsuccessful. IDEAL CANDIDATE SUMMARY The ideal candidate profile is approximately 60% Procurement and 40% Supply Chain, with experience in manufacturing – preferably in steel-related products such as the automotive industry, geysers, or appliances. The candidate should have a solid track record in sourcing Direct Material, Indirect Material, and Sales Trade items, with strong local and international negotiation experience at both component and commodity levels. A combination of Industrial Engineering and CIPS qualifications would be ideal, and preference will be given to suitably qualified male candidates in line with our Employment Equity policy. #J-18808-Ljbffr