Specialist: Business Relationship

Empowering Africa's tomorrow, together…one story at a time.

With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

Job Summary

The ideal candidate will be an experienced Specialist: Business Relationship & Vendor Management equipped with a robust background in procurement, strategic sourcing, and supplier management—specifically within banking and financial services sectors. This is a six-month contract in the Supplier Management team, part of Human Capital.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive compliance through best practices and policy updates.
• Manage supply dependencies across the sourcing lifecycle.
• Transition commercial arrangements to live operations post-award.
• Assess supplier capabilities using quantitative and qualitative data.
• Ensure contracts comply with company standards, legal requirements, and Absa Group Limited policies.
• Analyze internal and external data as needed.
• Draft and maintain strategic supplier management documents.
• Compile and assess statistical data for supplier reports
• Support with negotiation analysis.
• Promote supplier diversity and preferential procurement.
• Conduct market research and benchmarking in collaboration with Sourcing teams
• Implement and monitor procurement cost-saving measures cross functionally
• Navigate procurement systems and manage documentation.
• Maintain commercial compliance and monitor monthly MI received from Suppliers.
• Stay updated on regulations and coordinate with Internal Audit and Compliance.
• Enforce financial, regulatory, and strategic supplier policies.
• Adhere to applicable Absa policies manage records for commodities and suppliers.
• Cascade analytics to support business improvement.
• Structure contracts to meet business needs and drive improvement.
• Review contracts with legal compliance.
• Analyze supply markets and propose cross-functional strategies.
• Submit timely project and supplier updates.
• Administer contracts and maintain central repositories.
• Understanding of RFx processes (RFP, RFQ, RFI) and ability to analyze and present outcomes.
• Proficiency in SLAs and deliverables-based contracting.
• Ability to communicate supply base capabilities across channels.
• Risk management, both internal and external

Key Competencies:

• Comprehensive understanding of the entire supply chain process, including both pre- and post-contract stages
• Collaborative supplier performance evaluation.
• Strong stakeholder and supplier relationship building.
• Team development and continuous improvement mindset.
• Ad hoc reporting and analysis aligned with team goals.
• Cross-team collaboration for strategic enhancements.
• Delivery of cost, quality, service, and innovation benefits.
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Organizing forums for innovation and process improvement.
• Strong negotiation and presentation skills.
• Expert level efficiency in Microsoft Excel and MS-Word.
• Strong computer literacy (Power Point) and Microsoft Office Suite is required.
• Teamwork and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse groups, stakeholders across functions, and cultures.
• A team member that can also operate independently with an ability for problem solving.
• Adeptness in overseeing complex supplier relationships, contract negotiations, and strategic sourcing that support organizational objectives.
• The preferred candidate will also exhibit strong cross-functional collaboration skills, advocate for supplier diversity, and consistently deliver measurable value through innovation and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's qualification, preferably in Business, Commercial, Supply Chain, Business, Business Economics, Economics, Finance, or accounting fields or equivalent.
• CIPS / MCIPS qualification will be an advantage

Experience:

• 3 to 5 years of experience in procurement in a banking sourcing/supply chain environment.
• Experience in contract administration and compliance monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex supplier relationships and drive performance improvements.
• High level analytical and communication skills required (written & verbal).
• Proven track record of enhancing supplier performance, optimizing cost structures, and maintaining strict compliance with regulatory requirements and internal governance policies.

Education

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised

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