About the position
Purpose of the Role
Our client is seeking a dynamic and strategic Group Category Buyer to manage the procurement and sourcing of indirect materials and services across the business units in South Africa. The Group Indirect Materials & Services Buyer will be responsible for the strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier management, and contract negotiation across key indirect spend categories, including Logistics, Clearing & Forwarding, Facilities Management, Facilities Site Services, Marketing, Human Resources, IT & Communications. The role will ensure cost efficiency, supplier performance, governance, and business alignment while supporting the Group Procurement function.
The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies, negotiating with suppliers, ensuring cost efficiency, and maintaining quality standards to support business objectives. This role also requires collaboration and engagement with cross process and multi-site stakeholders in achieving the desired results. A high-level understanding and expertise in compliance, governance & policies is key to ensuring application of this process through Responsible Sourcing and Compliance.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Management
- Develop and implement category strategies for indirect materials and services.
- Drive cost reduction initiatives while maintaining quality and service excellence.
- Conduct market analysis to identify supplier trends, pricing models, and procurement opportunities.
- Ensure competitive bidding, supplier selection, and contract negotiations deliver value to the business. Supplier & Contract Management
- Establish and maintain strong supplier relationships, ensuring performance monitoring and compliance.
- Negotiate contract terms, SLAs, and pricing structures to align with business needs.
- Mitigate supply risks through supplier diversification and contingency planning. Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with internal stakeholders across Logistics, Facilities, HR, Marketing, and IT to understand business requirements and ensure procurement strategies align with operational goals.
- Work closely with Finance and Legal to ensure compliance with procurement policies and governance frameworks. Cost & Operational Efficiency
- Analyze spend data, procurement trends, and supplier performance to identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Optimize supplier agreements and payment terms to improve net working capital.
- Implement best practices in procurement to drive efficiency and operational improvements. Compliance & Governance
- Ensure adherence to procurement policies, governance, and responsible sourcing principles.
- Maintain records of contracts, supplier evaluations, and procurement decisions.
- Drive ethical procurement practices in line with company policies and industry regulations.
Minimum Qualifications & Experience
- Relevant Bachelor’s Degree or National Diploma in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business Management, or a related field. APICS, CIPS Qualifications would be an added advantage.
- 10 years of experience in procurement/category management, buying, preferably in FMCG or manufacturing.
- Strong negotiation and contract management skills demonstrating high level communication.
- Experience with supplier relationship management and global sourcing.
- Proficiency in ERP systems (SYSPRO, SAP, Sage, Oracle) and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Advanced to Expert knowledge in Excel
- Power BI knowledge advantageous
- Minimum 5 years of procurement experience, with a strong focus on indirect spend categories (Logistics, Clearing & Forwarding, Facilities, Marketing, HR, IT).
- Proven expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and contract management.
- Experience in managing supplier relationships, risk mitigation, and cost optimization.
- Strong understanding of logistics, clearing & forwarding, facilities management, and marketing procurement.
- Knowledge of compliance, governance, and responsible sourcing within procurement. Key Competencies & Skills
- Strategic thinking with the ability to align procurement strategies to business objectives.
- Negotiation & influencing skills to secure competitive contracts and drive supplier performance.
- Analytical & problem-solving skills to optimize procurement decisions.
- Cross-functional collaboration to engage with key stakeholders and drive alignment.
- Commercial acumen to manage costs, contracts, and supplier agreements effectively.
- Strong communication & interpersonal skills to build relationships with internal and external partners.
- Attention to detail in managing procurement compliance, governance, and reporting.
Why Join?
- Opportunity to lead procurement strategies in a dynamic and market-leading company.
- Work in a collaborative and high-impact role, driving cost efficiencies and supplier innovation.
- Be part of a forward-thinking procurement team that values excellence and continuous improvement.
We are committed to locating the ideal job for you, so we kindly advise against paying for this service. There are no costs associated with securing employment with us.
Desired Skills:
- Strategic Thinking
- Analytical & Problem Solving
- Attention to detail
