Category Specialist (Packaging)

Omnia Group Careers; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 520,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

Omnia Group in Johannesburg is seeking a Category Specialist (Packaging) to drive procurement governance and execution in a fast‑moving MOS environment. You will analyse spend, shape sourcing strategies and coordinate supplier engagements to optimise TCO across the Omnia Group.

The role requires a National Diploma in Supply Chain and 3 years’ procurement or supply chain experience, with advantageous MCIPS/PMP credentials. This position is based onsite in Johannesburg.

Qualifications

• National Diploma in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Commerce, Operations Management, Business Process Management, Analytics, Information Technology, or equivalent.
• 3 Years' experience within a Procurement or Supply Chain environment.
• 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

Responsibilities

• Conduct spend analysis to identify ideal procurement channels in line with policy.
• Execute sourcing strategies for relevant spend groups to optimise Total Cost of Ownership.
• Provide administrative support to Category Lead during tender processes and supplier engagements.
• Coordinate supplier engagement with commercial, legal and technical parties.
• Report on sourcing strategy effectiveness and contract compliance.

Skills

Spend analysis

RFP / Tender evaluation

Total Cost of Ownership

Sourcing strategy

Education

National Diploma in Supply Chain

Tools

Excel

Job description

Location: Fourways, Johannesburg, South Africa

Business Unit: Manufacturing, Operations and Supply Chain (MOS) | Supply Chain

Reports To: Category Manager

Join MOS and help build the foundation for sustainable growth.

Omnia's Manufacturing, Operations and Supply Chain (MOS) function enables business performance across the Group through world-class manufacturing, procurement, logistics and supply chain capabilities. Our teams play a critical role in ensuring safe, efficient and reliable operations that support customers across our agriculture, mining and chemicals businesses.

As part of Omnia Holdings Limited (JSE: OMN), you'll join a global, diversified business operating across the agriculture, mining and chemicals sectors. With operations in 23 countries, customers in more than 40 countries, over 70 distribution centres, and approximately 3,800 employees worldwide, Omnia develops innovative products, technologies and services that support food security, responsible mining and sustainable industrial development. Through science, innovation and collaboration, we help customers use resources more efficiently, solve complex operational challenges and create lasting value for a changing world.

At Omnia, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside industry experts, contribute to meaningful challenges, and grow your career in a purpose-led organisation committed to innovation, learning and sustainable impact.

Innovating to enhance life, together creating a greener future.

ROLE IMPACT

The Category Specialist serves as the custodian of procurement by guiding business on the governance, compliance and execution of all procurement processes to optimise 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.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

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.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

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

Experience

• 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

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

A diverse team drives stronger outcomes. At Omnia, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where every individual is valued, respected and empowered to contribute. We believe that diverse perspectives, experiences and backgrounds strengthen our ability to innovate, solve complex challenges and create sustainable value. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates who share our commitment to excellence, collaboration and making a positive impact.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST

Thank you for considering a career with Omnia. We appreciate the time and effort invested in your application. Our Talent Acquisition team carefully reviews every application received. While only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, we encourage you to keep exploring future opportunities within the Omnia Group as we continue to grow our teams across agriculture, mining and chemicals. We wish you every success in your career journey and thank you for your interest in being part of our purpose: Innovating to enhance life, together creating a greener future.

Category Specialist (Packaging) Johannesburg, South Africa