Category Manager - Strategic Sourcing (Isando)

Core purpose of the role

The Category Manager is accountable for formulating and executing sourcing strategies for commodities within allocated categories following the defined strategic sourcing process to optimise savings opportunities and to extract value from the spend, using the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) approach across the supply value chain.

Key deliverables and outputs

Category Sourcing Execution

• Conduct value opportunities assessments and formulate sourcing strategies for commodities within the allocated categories.
• Execute the category sourcing strategy and implement the relevant policies and procedures to enable effective and efficient strategic sourcing and supplier management.
• Support the transformation agenda by enhancing the category supplier database with suitable suppliers to support the ESD strategy.
• Execute sourcing events e.g. RFX as required by the defined and approved category sourcing strategy.
• Identify category opportunities to leverage economies of scale and develop proposals and recommendations for consideration and approval by the appropriate business unit managers.
• Track market price and demand indices that influence the sourcing and pricing of commodities.
• Understand business requirements and the impact of market conditions on category execution.
• Conduct internal and external category profiling.
• Develop commodity sourcing project plans.
• Engage with business stakeholders and establish cross-functional team ownership for each commodity ensuring a broad-based and inclusive approach to business requirements.
• Drive the realisation of savings, supply efficiency, quality, and process improvements in area of responsibility.
• Identify and remove potential barriers to the successful implementation of category strategies.

Savings Targets

• Set the agreed savings targets per sourcing event in conjunction with business owners and monitor and report on the achievement of targets.
• Identify saving opportunities and initiate individual projects and initiatives at operational levels in allocated categories to optimise savings.
• Provide input into the budgeting process e.g. goods and service pricing and unit rates.

Category Supplier and Contract Management

• Establish and maintain a central contract repository for the entire business.
• Facilitate and complete the contracting process for suppliers on the vendor database.
• Manage category contracts to ensure compliance requirements are met throughout the contract lifecycle e.g. documents / certificates, terminations and renewals.
• Facilitate contract compliance monitoring in conjunction with the tactical sourcing teams and business managers.
• Identify and manage risks in conjunction with the relevant cross functional teams.
• Conduct fact-based negotiation by considering information on quality, delivery, and price. Compile regular reports demonstrating cost savings.
• Drive continuous improvement through on-going engagements with existing suppliers as well as potential new suppliers.
• Manage supplier relationships to capture relevant innovation and value and to mitigate supply risks.
• Facilitate mutually beneficial relationships between business and suppliers.
• Analyse and report on supplier trends to ensure relevance and market intelligence to the business.

Reporting, Risk, Ethics and Compliance

• Track and report on performance indicators, benefits and cost reduction per category.
• Monitor and report compliance to the legal, regulatory and policy requirements in allocated categories.
• Manage category strategic sourcing and supplier management related risks and report on relevant items in the risk register.
• Report on supplier contracting related items e.g. MSA, NDA’s, SLA’s and Pricing schedules.

People Management

• Provide clear direction and decisive leadership to the team/s, ensuring all are aligned to the goals and have a clear purpose.
• Set clearly defined performance standards / targets for the team, holding them accountable to achieve these and providing support and guidance where needed.
• Create and maintain an atmosphere conducive to excellent performance, engaging and motivating others to always give their best, while respecting any areas of diversity (whether areas of expertise, cultural, gender, age, background, etc.).
• Ensure the team/s adheres to set business policies and procedures, emphasizing the importance of general discipline at work and objectively correcting and handling any deviations as they arise.
• Resource and staff the team appropriately, considering the relevance of current and new jobs as well as the most suitable ways in which to place or replace any vacancies.
• Set the example to the team by leading in line with Zeda Ltd Values and BBS principles of Respect for People and Continuous Improvement.
• Support and encourage direct reports to drive their own individual development plans in order to further grow as professionals in their jobs.

Internal Customers

Exco, Business units, Supplier Management and Tactical Sourcing Teams.

External Stakeholders

Suppliers/Service Providers, Industry Organisations and Regulatory Bodies, Auditors.

Academic Qualifications

Essential:

• NQF Level 8 Qualification in Finance, Economics, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Law or equivalent.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Valid passport.

Advantageous:

• Membership of Chartered Institute for Procurement and Supply (CIPS/ MCIPS) or other relevant industry bodies would be advantageous.

Note:

• Will be required to undertake regional and national travel.

Work Experience

Essential:

• 5-7 Years Procurement and Strategic Sourcing experience within the Automotive Leasing/Rental Industry.
• 2-3 Years Managerial experience.

Advantageous:

• 1-2 Years Experience in dealing with cross-functional teams.

This job requires that the employee maintains the highest level of Honesty and Integrity as he/she will have access to company assets, cash handling and confidential record storage areas. This requires that a formal personal background check is undertaken.