Category Specialist

Omnia Group Careers; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Omnia Group Careers in Fourways, Gauteng, South Africa, seeks a Category Specialist to govern procurement and optimise total cost of ownership. You will coordinate tender management, contract activities and supplier engagement across indirect materials.

The role requires strong analytical and sourcing capabilities in a dynamic supply chain. Join a global group with a focus on innovation and sustainability, offering opportunities to advance procurement practices and deliver measurable savings

Qualifications

• National Diploma in Supply Chain or related field is required.
• Minimum 3 years in procurement or supply chain environment.
• Advantageous MCIPS, PMP or SCMP certifications.

Responsibilities

• Execute sourcing strategy and sourcing events (RFx) per defined plans.
• Analyse spend data to inform organisational spend profiles and TC0.
• Onboard suppliers and support phase-in/phase-out.
• Provide supplier management and contract compliance monitoring.
• Coordinate cross-functional engagement with legal, technical and commercial teams.

Skills

Spend analysis

RFP / Tender evaluation

Total Cost of Ownership

Pricing information

Sourcing strategy

Supplier engagement

Contract management

Education

National Diploma in Supply Chain

Tools

Excel

Job description

Category Specialist Omnia Group Careers Fourways, Gauteng, South Africa

JOB TITLE: Category Specialist

Location: Fourways, Johannesburg, South Africa
Business Unit: MOS | Supply Chain
Reports To: Senior Manager Procurement: Indirect Materials

ABOUT US

Omnia's Manufacturing, Operations and Supply Chain (MOS) Supply Chain plays a critical role in enabling efficient, safe, and reliable manufacturing operations. Through integrated supply chain solutions, we support the delivery of essential products and services that power mining performance across diverse environments. As part of our team, you will contribute to a high-impact operation focused on precision, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. We are seeking professionals who thrive in dynamic environments and are committed to delivering value through strong execution and collaboration. As a division of Omnia Group, our shared purpose drives us every day: Innovating to enhance life, together creating a greener future.
With more than 70 years of expertise, Omnia is a diversified international business operating across agriculture, mining and chemicals. Operating in 26 countries and distributing products and services across more than 40 countries, we deliver innovative solutions that support food security, responsible mining and sustainable industrial development. Our people are united by a commitment to innovation, integrity, collaboration and excellence. Through meaningful work, continuous development and a strong purpose-driven culture, we create opportunities for our people to make a lasting impact.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS (PURPOSE)

The Category Specialist serves as the custodian of procurement by guiding business on the governance, compliance and execution of all procurement processes to optimize the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for the Omnia Group at an acceptable level of supply risk, in accordance with all related policies.

The Category Specialist is responsible for supporting departmental managers and Category Leads by coordinating the procurement process and administering all relevant operational tasks including tender management, contract management, sourcing practices etc.

Analysis of current procurement and supply chain practices, business needs, supply markets and TCO practices by Category Lead should enable the Category Specialist to execute and sustain optimal sourcing strategies for the business.

WHAT YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR

Procurement Analysis

• Conduct relevant analysis to assist in the identification of ideal procurement channels in line with the Procurement Policy
• Perform spend analysis by collecting, cleansing, classifying and analysing expenditure data to inform the current spend profile
• Execute and maintain sourcing strategies for relevant spend groups to optimise TCO, at a known and acceptable level of risk
• Collaborate with the Category Lead in utilising approved TCO models to understand all costs associated with a purchase
• Propose adjustments to procedures where relevant for the optimisaton of sourcing strategies
• Track market price and demand indices that influence the supply market
• Present market, price and cost insights to business in an effort to optimise decisions regarding sourcing strategies and procurement practices, including in the annual budget process
• Evaluate and understand market conditions in order to contribute to competitive sourcing strategies, control costs and manage risk
• Provide input into the development of sourcing strategies for consideration and approval by the appropriate leads in the business, that optimise TCO, with an acceptable level of risk
• Contribute to business initiatives designed to improve supply chain efficiency
• Investigate and propose innovative approaches, to meet internal demand, by questioning accepted norms and practice

Operational Execution

• Execute sourcing strategy and appropriate sourcing events e.g., RFx as required per defined and approved sourcing strategy
• Ensure sourcing events are structured, transparent and fair, with a defensible process, to ensure participation which aligns with Company policies and the code of ethics
• Provide administrative support to the Category Lead regarding the procurement process including the tender process, placement of advertisements, receipt of quotations etc.
• Analyse and process spend practice data to inform organisational spend profiles that result in the optimisation of TCO for the organisation
• Utilise a mechanism to understand delivery to internal customers (i.e. VOC - voice of customer surveys)
• Use queries/ complaints to understand sourcing problems, gather appropriate information, establish root cause and seek and propose solution options
• Advise and confirm the selection of supplier/s that best meet the selection criteria defined in the sourcing strategy
• Coordinate supplier engagement where required by involving commercial, legal, technical and other relevant parties where appropriate
• Onboard suppliers and support business in the initial engagement to ensure smooth phase in, phase out management
• Report to the Category Lead on sourcing strategy effectiveness and contract compliance, by reviewing adherence to the agreement by all parties (Supplier, Omnia
• Divisions, Omnia Procurement) and by raising deviation/departure by a party
• Support the Category Lead in executing supplier management in line with the sourcing strategy and ensure that appropriate performance and evaluations occur, and that remedial action is applied as appropriate by the relevant party
• Utilise contract management processes to support in contract monitoring and maintenance
• Maintain close collaboration with unit management to understand the characteristics driving their procurement requirements
• Implement and maintain an efficient sourcing and procurement data management process and/or system ensuring that market, cost and other relevant information is easily accessible
• Provide sourcing support as required, relating to sourcing advisory and delivery services, sourcing contracts and sourcing queries and the resolution thereof, to meet operational sourcing requirements
• Generation of reports detailing sourcing strategy key deliverables (i.e., savings, OTIF, compliance, security of supply)

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure that sourcing processes and practices, across the procurement life cycle, strictly align with all governance requirements
• Ensure and initiate steps to protect the company's assets, through appropriate insurances to mitigate risk
• Ensure all savings are effectively tracked and remain auditable
• Formally track risks in line with the business risk assessment approach
• Assist in monitoring changes in the regulatory environment and ensure that appropriate operational controls are implemented to address new requirements related to procurement practices
• Ensure adherence to all relevant laws, policies and Standard Operating Procedures within scope of control
• Ensure that delegations of authority are adhered to in terms of the Procurement process

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

Qualifications

Minimum

• National Diploma in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Commerce, Operations Management, Business Process Management, Analytics, Information Technology, or equivalent.

Experience

Minimum

• 3 Years' experience within a Procurement or Supply Chain environment.

Advantageous

• 1 Year exposure to Category Management.
• 1 Year exposure to strategic sourcing.
• MCIPS (Chartered institute of Procurement and Supply), PMP (Project Management Professional) or SCMP (Supply Chain Management Professional) advantageous.
• Experience in chemical logistics and indirect sourcing

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Ability to interpret spend analysis (for spend group)
• Ability to perform RFP / Tender evaluation
• Ability to track rebates and trace payments
• Ability to determine Total Cost of Ownership to use category
• Ability to present pricing information for the annual budget process.

Customer

• Ability to develop SLA
• Ability to lead sourcing team discussions

Supplier

• Ability to perform supply market analysis
• Ability to select contract performance measures based on TCO & business requirements
• Execution of supplier management against contract performance measures
• Ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers
• Ability to manage changes in items, contracts and suppliers
• Ability to understand the Organisation's business principles & procurement policies, procedures, targets and the application thereof
• Understand Contract Enablement Process
• Development of RFP / Tender Document
• Management of RFP / Tender Document Process
• Skills in relevant IT systems
• Skills in relevant IT tools (Excel)
• Strategic Sourcing
• Business Sustainability Policies and Targets
• Ability to influence ways of thinking, for improvement
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement in ways of working
• Ability to drive the adoption of changes in ways of working
• Ability to work with and negotiate effectively with stakeholders

WHY JOIN OMNIA

Join an organisation where innovation, sustainability and purpose come together. Shape Health, Safety and Security strategy across a leading international business while contributing to a greener future.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Omnia is committed to an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued and respected. We encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST

Thank you for your interest in joining Omnia. Every application is carefully reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team. While only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, we truly appreciate the time you've taken to apply and encourage you to keep an eye on future opportunities with us.