Senior Procurement Specialist

Job Description

My client (FMCG) is seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Procurement Specialist – Supply Chain, based in the Randfontein area.

Job Purpose:

To manage and execute procurement activities related to engineering materials, equipment, and services for South Africa in a cost-effective manner and compliance with procurement policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities:

Demand Determination

Establish and maintain sound, collaborative relationships with stakeholders, including line managersCollaborate with relevant functional and technical teams to gather detailed information on required equipment, goods, and services, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of business and technical needsAdhere to and implement Group and Regional Procurement policiesEnsure alignment with technical specifications and project requirementsIdentify and implement cost-saving initiatives while optimizing the total cost of ownership for the organizationEnsure all procurement activities are compliant with relevant legal, environmental, and regulatory requirementsMonitor market trends, technological advancements, and industry best practices to ensure the organization remains at the forefront of engineering procurement, continuously

Supplier Research, Identification and Registration on Vendor Database

Conduct thorough research to identify and assess potential suppliers for required equipment, goods, or servicesEvaluate suppliers' capabilities to meet business specifications, volumes, and delivery schedulesAssess shortlisted suppliers and identify the most suitable candidates based on cost, quality, and delivery performanceRequest quotes and negotiate procurement terms, considering budget constraints and delivery schedulesPrepare proposals for the business on selected suppliers, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and executing corrective actions until supplier approval or rejection is achievedCreate and manage sourcing events on the SAP Ariba platform, analyse results, and finalize the award processEnsure all suppliers who will work on-site undergo appropriate vetting by the Environmental, Health, and Safety team, with mandatory Safety Files in placeOn-board successful vendors on the appropriate portal, namely Ariba and OutsmartCollaborate with relevant stakeholders to formulate and/or review service level agreements (SLAs) and contractsResolve issues in the invoice workflow by providing support and following up as necessary

Contract Management

Lead negotiation efforts with suppliers to secure favourable terms, prices, and delivery schedules that align with business objectivesSource goods through the cloud-based Ariba Platform, ensuring procurement is streamlined and efficientDraft and review contracts, ensuring they meet company policies, business needs, and risk mitigation strategiesResolve any discrepancies in specification and application, and escalate issues as needed to relevant stakeholdersMonitor inventory levels to ensure alignment with business needs and initiate purchase orders when discrepancies ariseEvaluate supplier performance regularly, as part of the Supplier Lifecycle Management and Performance (SLP) process, to ensure reliability and continued quality of serviceBuild and nurture sound, long-term relationships with suppliers to drive sustainable procurement efficiencies and ensure high-quality serviceOversee the contract lifecycle, ensuring compliance with terms and timely renewals or amendments as neededAddress procurement risks related to supply chain disruptions, price volatility, and supplier performance issues to minimize impact on operations proactively

Procurement Planning and Budgeting

Formulate and/or review procedures, processes, and best practices in order to improve business efficiency and effectiveness for further approvalDevelop and implement sustainable procurement strategies for key materials, securing approval from senior stakeholdersMonitor procurement spend on engineering, repairs, and maintenance goods and services against budget, and manage it to ensure adherence to financial constraints and optimizing spendCollaborate with cross-functional teams to identify risks and develop mitigation plans, including sourcing alternative suppliers when necessaryIdentify and implement opportunities for cost reduction without compromising quality or performanceTrack expenditures and report regularly on procurement activities, highlighting cost savings and efficiency improvementsCollaborate with the engineering team to identify opportunities for process optimization, material standardization, and cost-effective solutions

Reporting, Filing and Administratio

Provide regular, accurate reports on procurement activities in line with internal and external stakeholders' requirementsMaintain accurate and comprehensive records of procurement transactions, contracts, and communications and ensure they are filed and accessible to relevant stakeholders

People Management

Fill vacancy/ies with employees who meet knowledge and skills requirements for positionsTrain and/or schedule training of employees and/or other team members in order to ensure that they are suitably qualified and are declared competentManage the performance and discipline of employees in a way that ensures productivity and compliance with legal and statutory requirements and internationally accepted environmental, health, safety and quality standardsManage time and attendance and ensure timeous system updatesCommunicate information and changes that affect employees clearly and timeouslyAddress problems and explore opportunities timeouslyFacilitate and resolve conflicting issues or requirementsEnsure compliance with prevailing policies and procedures

QUALIFYING ATTRIBUTES:

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering, preferably mechanical or chemical engineeringQualification in Procurement is an added advantage

Experience

Minimum of 5 years' overall purchasing and Engineering experience in a similar role within Food FMCG industry or similarWorking experience in sourcing and procuring engineering equipment and services for multiple engineering fields from diverse suppliers and operating equipment manufacturers (OEM's)Working experience in spearheading projects or supplier transition with large matrix collaboration across the organizationWorking experience in the implementation of end-to-end procurement strategies and processesSAP and Ariba is preferrable

Knowledge

Sound understanding of business processes, requirements and value chainSupply chain proceduresPurchasing strategiesVendor sourcing practices (researching, evaluating, negotiating)Logistics (Road freight, sea freight, air freight, courier door to door, incoterms) understandingProcurement compliance (RFI, RFP, RFQ, tendering, vendor approval, contracting, monitoring)Strong technical foundation with a comprehensive understanding of engineering principles, terminology, blueprints, and industry standards

Skills

Proficiency in MS Office, SAP and Ariba platformResearch skillsProject ManagementNegotiation and influencingNumerical & Financial acumenContract design and contractor managementProblem solving, Data analysis & integrationRelationship building and networkingEmotional and social intelligencePeople managementStakeholder orientation and engagementCollaborationEmotional and social intelligenceWritten and verbal communication skillsPlanning and organizingTime management and speedy executionPeople management

On Offer:

Range of between R ,00 – R ,00 Total Cost to company per Annum (Dependent on various factors including current earnings)Total cost To Company is inclusive of a 13th ChequeBenefits include: Medical aid, Pension and Provident Fund, Disability, Group Life, Funeral Cover and Car Insurance

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Safety medical checks will be conductedCriminal checks will be conductedCredit checks will be conductedSchool and Tertiary Qualifications verifications will be conductedReferences will be required

POPIA Act:

In line with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA), all personal information submitted in your application will be treated as confidential and used solely for recruitment purposesBy applying for this position, you consent to the processing and storing of your personal information for the purposes of assessing your suitability for employmentShould your application be unsuccessful, your personal information will be securely stored for a limited period and then destroyed in accordance with our data retention policy

A preference will be given to South African Citizens and candidates from designated groups

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