Category Manager - Indirect Procurement

Placements24; Free State; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & bonus

Medical & retirement benefits

Career development opportunities

Challenging work environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a strategic Category Manager with expertise in indirect procurement to join our purchasing team in Upington. This role focuses on managing spend across services, MRO, and operational supplies, developing category strategies and driving cost savings in a challenging market.

You will lead supplier negotiations, manage stakeholder relationships, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver value and continuous improvement in procurement processes.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of procurement experience focused on indirect categories.
• Proven ability to develop and execute category strategies and lead complex negotiations.
• Strong contract management, risk assessment and supplier relationship skills.
• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management with senior leadership exposure.
• Tertiary qualification in Business, Supply Chain, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for indirect spend areas.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing events, RFx processes, supplier selection, and contract negotiation.
• Manage key supplier relationships ensuring performance and compliance.
• Conduct market analysis to identify cost-reduction opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal business units to align procurement strategies.
• Monitor spend, supplier performance, and industry trends for continuous improvement.

Skills

Indirect procurement

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelors in Business / Supply Chain

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a strategic Category Manager with expertise in Indirect Procurement to join their purchasing department located in Upington . This role is pivotal in managing specific spend categories, including services, MRO, and operational supplies, ensuring maximum value and efficiency. You will develop and execute category strategies, lead supplier negotiations, and manage key stakeholder relationships across various departments. The ideal candidate will possess strong commercial acumen, deep category knowledge, and a proven ability to deliver significant cost savings and operational improvements within a challenging market.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for assigned indirect spend areas.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing events, including RFx processes, supplier selection, and contract negotiation.
• Manage key supplier relationships within the assigned categories, ensuring performance and compliance.
• Conduct thorough market analysis and identify opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement.
• Collaborate with internal business units to understand their needs and ensure alignment with procurement strategies.
• Monitor category spend, supplier performance, and industry trends to drive continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement, with a significant focus on indirect categories.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing category strategies and leading complex negotiations.
• Strong understanding of contract management, risk assessment, and supplier relationship management.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management abilities, with experience presenting to senior leadership.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field is required.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure reflecting expertise and contribution.
• Opportunity to manage significant spend categories for a prominent organization in Upington .
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Professional development opportunities and career growth paths.
• A challenging and rewarding work environment focused on strategic impact.