Category Manager - Indirect Spend

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Remote work stipend

Home office support

Executive-level bonus structure

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a strategic and analytical Category Manager specializing in Indirect Spend to join their procurement team. This remote role requires leading category strategies, cost optimization, and supplier performance alignment with business goals across IT, marketing and professional services.

You will drive sourcing events, manage supplier relationships, and collaborate with stakeholders to anticipate market trends, ensuring significant savings and scalable procurement outcomes.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
• 7+ years of strategic sourcing and category management experience with indirect procurement.
• Proven track record in leading large-scale sourcing events and achieving cost savings.
• Expertise in contract negotiation, supplier management and risk assessment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills; proficient in procurement analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for indirect spend areas.
• Lead RFPs, RFQs, and contract negotiations with key suppliers.
• Analyze spend data to identify cost reductions and improve category performance.
• Manage supplier relationships and conduct regular business reviews.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure procurement solutions meet strategic goals.
• Stay informed on market trends, best practices, and regulatory changes affecting indirect procurement.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Indirect procurement

Data analytics

Cost optimization

Supplier relationship management

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Spend analytics tools

Contract management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an strategic and analytical Category Manager specializing in Indirect Spend to join their progressive procurement department in Durban . This role demands a proactive approach to managing a diverse portfolio of non-operational goods and services, including IT, marketing, and professional services. You will be responsible for developing category strategies, driving cost optimization, mitigating risks, and ensuring supplier performance aligns with business objectives. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to leverage your expertise from anywhere while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams and leadership to achieve significant savings and enhance value across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement robust category strategies for indirect spend areas, identifying opportunities for consolidation and efficiency.
• Lead complex sourcing events, including RFPs, RFQs, and contract negotiations with key suppliers.
• Analyze spend data to identify cost reduction opportunities and improve category performance.
• Manage supplier relationships, monitor performance metrics, and conduct regular business reviews.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the business to understand needs and ensure procurement solutions meet strategic goals.
• Stay abreast of market trends, best practices, and regulatory changes affecting indirect procurement.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in strategic sourcing and category management, with a strong focus on indirect procurement.
• Demonstrated success in leading large-scale sourcing projects and achieving significant cost savings.
• Expertise in contract negotiation, supplier management, and risk assessment.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with proficiency in procurement analytics tools.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and executive-level bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous remote work stipend and home office support.
• Significant opportunities for strategic influence and career progression.
• A culture that encourages innovation and continuous learning in procurement practices.