SUMMARY:

New Vacancy: Head of Procurement 

About the Position

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities 1. Strategic Procurement Strategy Execution: Develop and implement overarching procurement strategies that directly support and advance organizational objectives. Global & Local Sourcing: Source, benchmark, and evaluate local and international suppliers to ensure a resilient, dual-sourced supply network across African markets. Commercial Negotiations: Lead negotiations regarding pricing, commercial terms, and master service agreements (MSAs) to leverage purchasing power and achieve optimal commercial outcomes. Value Optimization: Conduct continuous market analysis and supplier benchmarking to identify opportunities for structural cost reduction and value improvement. Risk Mitigation: Develop alternative sourcing strategies to minimize cross-border supply risks, currency exposure, and geopolitical disruptions. 2. Purchasing Operations & Administration Workflow Oversight: Review high-value purchase requisitions and ensure competitive, multi-source quotations are obtained. Policy Enforcement: Ensure strict compliance with procurement procedures, approval limits, and corporate governance frameworks. Order Management: Oversee the preparation, issuance, and expediting of purchase orders, proactively resolving delivery issues and communicating delays to senior management. Data Integrity & Audit: Maintain accurate procurement records, supplier databases, and contract repositories; lead procurement audits and ensure complete compliance documentation. 3. Supplier Relationship Management Strategic Partnerships: Develop and maintain productive, long-term relationships with key regional and international suppliers. Performance Governance: Establish clear vendor KPIs and conduct regular supplier performance reviews focusing on quality, pricing, delivery, and service levels. Dispute Resolution: Professionally resolve complex supplier disputes and maintain objective supplier performance scorecards. 4. Inventory, Supply & Technical Coordination Stock Optimization: Monitor inventory levels, coordinate replenishment schedules, and support advanced inventory optimization initiatives to protect working capital. Technical Verification: Collaborate closely with Engineering and Operations to verify complex technical specifications prior to procurement. Specialised Engineering Sourcing: Oversee the procurement of specialised engineering equipment, maintenance spares (MRO), technical consumables, and specialised contracted services, recommending suitable technical alternatives where appropriate. 5. Logistics Coordination & Cross-Border Trade Inbound & Outbound Logistics: Coordinate complex inbound and outbound logistics activities for regional imports and exports across African borders. Freight Management: Liaise with freight forwarders, transport providers, and customs agents to monitor shipment progress and expedite import\/export documentation. Tariff & Trade Compliance: Navigate international shipping frameworks, customs clearance processes, and regional trade agreements such as AfCFTA to ensure goods arrive on schedule and in compliance with applicable regulations. 6. Key Account & Commercial Coordination Strategic Customer Alignment: Coordinate procurement and end-to-end supply chain activities for strategic customers and major regional or international accounts. End-to-End Tracking: Monitor cargo movements, import\/export orders, and delivery milestones from placement to final destination, proactively escalating delays to safeguard customer relationships. Sales Support & Pricing Strategy: Prepare accurate commercial quotations and support corporate sales activities for strategic customer accounts. Margin Protection: Maintain agreed customer pricing schedules, lead budgetary pricing reviews, and work alongside Finance and Sales to ensure pricing accuracy, commercial compliance, and margin protection. 7. Commercial & Financial Management Budgetary Control: Ensure procurement activities remain within approved corporate budgets. Financial Advisory: Prepare executive procurement reports, monitor purchase price variance (PPV), and support corporate budgeting and forecasting cycles. Core Competencies & Requirements Commercial & Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of profit margins, total cost of ownership (TCO), and cross-border macroeconomic factors, including currency fluctuations across African markets. Advanced Negotiation: Proven ability to negotiate with local and international suppliers and manage complex commercial contracts. Technical Literacy: Strong understanding of technical procurement, engineering specifications, and MRO environments. Supply Chain & Logistics Expertise: Strong knowledge of intra-African shipping corridors, freight forwarding, and import\/export regulatory frameworks. Systems Proficiency: High proficiency in modern ERP\/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Sage, or similar platforms, with the ability to utilise data analytics for procurement reporting and dashboards. Soft Skills: Exceptional planning, cross-cultural communication, problem-solving, attention to detail, stakeholder management, and strong ethical integrity. Experience Profile 10-15 years of progressive experience within procurement and supply chain functions, with at least 5 years at senior management or executive level . Tertiary qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Management, Logistics, or a related field. Proven track record managing multi-market or regional procurement portfolios across borders Demonstrable success in implementing procurement transformation programs within decentralised corporate structures. Bonded warehouse experience would be advantageous.