Procurement Specialist

**Company Description**
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 99,600 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.
**Job Description** Primary Responsibilities**
- Reporting to the Head of Procurement, you will be responsible for developing strategic sourcing activities for the Sub-Region. Undertake commodity/ category strategies, negotiating with suppliers within an agreed category to deliver managed risk and ensure the cost effective and efficient delivery of supply chain capability.
- Contract Development and Negotiation
- Online Sourcing Projects
- Coordinate the exports and Imports of various commodities within Southern Africa.
- Improvement of compliance / contractual rate
- Supplier Selection and Commercial Negotiation
- Procurement Savings Reporting
- Relationship Management

**Specific Responsibilities**
- Coordinate the Procurement in Southern Africa for various categories of supplies and services.
- Develop and implement appropriate sourcing strategies for various commodities to support corporate and business unit objectives.
- Source and manage solutions in support of new production and new product development.
- Negotiate and build supplier relationships, providing alternative solutions when needed.
- Develop and maintain key industry market data to be used for strategic sourcing activities.
- Develop strategies for assigned commodities to include spend analysis, market and geographic considerations, and strategic importance.
- Help manage the strategic sourcing process, contract negotiation, contract administration, sourcing systems, supplier quality, sourcing operations, planning, administration and analysis.
- Execute online sourcing initiatives across the procurement organization in an effort to maximize value by reducing the overall costs and improving the quality of goods and services that are purchased.
- Identify, analyze, and support sourcing opportunities and the RFI/RFP processes for a variety of materials, commodities, and services.
- Assist with contract administration and activities related to the procurement of goods and services, including the management of supplier relationships.
- Implement improvement processes and systems to reduce inventory, minimise costs and maximize working capital.
- Establish Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) practices and reinforce regular benchmarking, periodic RFP's, and supplier performance metrics reporting.

**Specific Authorities**
- Must have strong negotiating skills with ability to create and maintain supplier relationships while working in a team environment.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills for a demanding and customer focused working environment.
- Possess excellent personal organization and business administration skills in accordance with modern best practice methods.
- Possess the ability to work productively, efficiently & effectively with initiative and drive under tight timescales and pressure whilst maintaining attention to detail and quality.
- Possess the willingness to learn improve and adapt.

**Key Relationships**
- Procurement
- Logistics
- Finance
- Business Controllers
- Key business stakeholders
- Regional Procurement Leaders
- Global procurement

**Qualifications**
- Matric
- Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, Supply Chain or Business related

**Additional Information** Required Skills and Experience**
- Minimum of three (3) years in a procurement capacity, ex: processing quotations, tenders, proposals, setting procurement strategies, driving cost savings, improving terms and conditions, purchase orders, etc. experience with computerized purchasing system - ERP.
- Cross border requirements for exports & imports within Southern Africa
- Self-starter with excellent business/financial acumen, proficient working with cross-functional teams, including demonstrated motivation, influence, and the ability to drive change across all levels of the organization and geographical boundaries.
- Possess solid computer skills (proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Office) and experience with an ERP system (Oracle is preferred).
- Able to manage a multitude of projects simultaneously
- Strong attention to detail required as work prepared by this position is presented to executive management for use in decision making