The Senior Procurement Specialist – Category Manager is responsible for the development and execution of procurement and supply chain management strategies and activities for the required commodities/services.

Please note this is a 6-month contract position, based in Johannesburg

This role will contribute to the successful transformation of the University to a more strategic procurement model and promote achievements of procurement savings.

Key responsibilities include:

• Facilitating tender processes from initiation phase to contract conclusion
• Ensuring effectiveness and efficiencies in the related procurement processes and activities and ensuring that the university`s procurement policies and processes are adhered to;
• Strategic sourcing of the commodities and related categories including but not limited to tender facilitation and commodity management for the ICT and Facilities Management areas;
• Actively managing the commodities by understanding and analyzing category spend, drafting and implementing strategies and policies to promote sustainable procurement and actively engaging with internal stakeholders (project owners). Apply the value for money principle: this will ensure that the best outcomes are achieved when all related costs and benefits over the procurement cycle are considered. Total cost of ownership will be reduced thereby enabling savings to be realized.
• Providing advisory services for the internal stakeholders on procurement matters related to categories or contracts that are managed
• Supplier management and negotiations to ensure that service levels are met at the most advantageous value
• Demonstrating sound client liaison and professional handling of queries related to tenders and various procurement categories managed under the auspices of the procurement department in a manner that does not expose the University to challenge and risk
• Keeping current with regard to procurement trends or key commodity markets, pricing and trends including maintaining a knowledge database related to procurement, tender and related matters.
• Ensuring that processes followed comply with best practices, policies and procedures, good governance, effective risk management and audit management and fundamental principles including but not limited to fairness, equity and ethical considerations.
• This role also forms a backup function to the Operations Manager: Procurement role and to the Head of Procurement role as and when required.

MINIMUM /ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Required Academic Qualification/s NQF (if applicable)

Matric and Relevant or Equivalent Purchasing Qualification, Diploma or Certificate; National Diploma (Logistics/Supply chain management) or BCom or MCips qualification or Post graduate qualification with a focus on Logistics/Supply chain management is essential.

A minimum of 3-5 years of project managing and facilitating tender

processes including the compilation of the tender packs, the evaluation and conclusion of tendering activities is required

Experience in a purchasing environment and/or commodity management for at least 5 years is required

Facilitation and/or exposure to ICT and Facilities Management areas is preferable

Project and/or Process (Organisation) Management qualification and experience is advantageous

Required Years of Work-Related Experience in supply chain/procurement

Minimum:5 years

Attributes:

• Excellent understanding and experience of procurement and of tender and procurement processes, and strategic sourcing and supplier management
• Experience with managing tender processes from end to end
• Familiarity with relevant legislation including PPPFA, BBBEE, Competitions Act, CIDB Act and other relevant legislation is advantageous
• Ability to comply and facilitate compliance with procurement policies and processes.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Strong understanding and experience of procure to pay processes
• Experience with ERP Procure to pay modules
• Strong focus on service excellence while being appropriately assertive
• Gently persuasive personality
• Negotiation skills
• Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills
• Honest, ethical mind-set
• Customer and service focus
• Excellent Attention to detail
• Strong organization, process and project management skills
• Accurate and diligent record keeping and strong administrative skills
• Critical thinking mindset
• Can work independently with minimum supervision and can work as part of a team when required

The following competencies will be strongly advantageous:

Knowledge of the higher education environment

• Understanding of the PPPFA, PFMA and BBBEE legislation
• Exposure/Experience related to ICT and Facilities Management strategic sourcing and/or commodity management is preferable

Salary: R50 000 CTC per month

6 Month Contract