Procurement Manager- Collaborative Manufacturing

Unilever is currently hiring for: Procurement Manager
- Collaborative Manufacturing (CM)

**Function**: Supply Chain
- Procurement

**Work Level**: 2B

**Reports to**: Head of Procurement Africa

**Scope**: Southern Africa

**Location**: Johannesburg/Durban

**Terms & Conditions**: Full-time

**ABOUT UNILEVER**

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people - we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

**JOB PURPOSE**

Find your purpose at Unilever. You will lead innovations, big and small, that will make our business win and grow. You will learn from brilliant business leaders and colleagues in a truly global and diverse culture to ultimately become a better you. Professional sourcing of products meeting the specified needs of the Business at most competitive commercial terms.

**WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE**
- Executive Procurement of the materials, packaging, and finished goods portfolios: Decides what when and how to procure and which collaborative manufacturer to partner tactically or strategically with.
- Develop and implement strategies for the collaborative manufacturing procurement strategy in SNA across BGs i.e., follow market conditions, prepare price trends, and formulate future markets trends for the business.
- Support the business with accurate price forecasting. Prepares information on purchase prices and conditions to enable proper budgeting and cash forecasting.
- Identify metrics, tools, and process to optimize sourcing, supplier activities and efficiencies.
- Work closely with supply operations, brand, marketing, and R&D teams to support the launch of innovations and new product development.
- Work closely with suppliers to drive key initiatives such as Corporate Social Responsibility, sustainability and living wage.
- Initiate and drive complexity reduction projects (e.g., harmonisation of specifications, CMs and SKUs)
- Delivery of the VIP programmes for the specific materials.
- Deliver the Operation Cash Flow and Working Capital plans for the specific materials/services and suppliers.
- Manage supply issues (e.g. crisis management) in short term and proactively mitigate potential supply risks through resilience programme.
- Measure and manage overall performance of suppliers.

**Responsibilities**:

- To develop, implement and drive Unilever procurement strategies.
- To assess, identify and select the appropriate CM base that would meet the needs of the business.
- To directly lead or co-ordinate large procurement projects him/herself as needed.
- To deliver cost savings based on sourcing strategies and compliance management.
- To continuously improve ways of working and optimise procurement activities.
- To handle complex and diverse customer, supplier or operational issues within generally defined practices and policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
- To ensure the satisfaction of Unilever's internal customers with the services provided by the procurement organization.
- To lead the rationalization of CMs and SKU mix to eliminate complexity.
- To develop, coach and mentor resources within a high performing and motivated team responsible for interfacing with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
- To support the collaboration with senior functional leaders to establish both short and long-term business objectives.
- To lead cross-functional initiatives and represent Unilever's interests in the management of external strategic relationships.
- In the context of Partner to Win, to identify, develop and manage strategic business relationships to enable implementation of the Unilever growth strategy, revenue achievement and new product development initiatives
- To support Unilever Sustainable Living Plan in the procurement of finished goods.

**WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED**

**Experiences & Qualifications**

**Essential**:

- University degree
- 7-10 years’ experience in Procurement Supply Chain, with at least 3 years at Management level
- Experience on large-scale change management projects

**Preferred**:

- Experience in international assignments is a plus

**Skills**
- Strong Business Acumen
- Strong Analytical skills
- Negotiation
- Presentation
- Stakeholder management
- Strong standards of Leadership

**Leadership**
- You are an incl