Group Procurement Manager: Communications

Sanlam; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance provider in Cape Town seeks a Communications Procurement Manager to manage procurement for marketing. This role requires over 10 years of experience in marketing procurement, strong stakeholder engagement, and adept negotiation skills. The successful candidate will drive cost efficiencies and compliance while working closely with multiple senior business partners.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years practical experience in marketing procurement.
• Experience with procurement transformation projects.
• Experience in sourcing, contracting, and supplier management.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate procurement activities across the Sanlam Group.
• Build relationships with marketing agencies and stakeholders.
• Drive cost efficiencies and ensure compliance.

Skills

Negotiating skills

Project management skills

Communication skills

Problem solving skills

Vendor management

Education

BComm or equivalent post graduate qualifications

Job description

What will you do?

This career opportunity is available at Santam for the Group Procurement department that provides procurement support to the Sanlam Group. The role is based in Tygervalley, Cape Town.

This role will report to the Procurement Manager: Marketing & Communications to primarily manage and co-ordinate across the Sanlam Group. As a Communications Procurement Manager, you'll be the key link between agencies and our marketing, brand, and procurement functions. This role will be responsible for driving cost efficiencies, compliance, drive procurement value and enhance stakeholder experience. The successful candidate will engage with multiple senior business partners to ensure a common understanding and consistent application of our procurement policy and processes. The procurement manager will ensure all procurement deliverables and milestones are met within the required timelines, budget, scope and quality.

What will make you successful in this role?

• Classification of spend and detailed analysis of spend for marketing and communication services
• Build and maintain strong, strategic relationships with key marketing agencies and internal stakeholders
• Development of procurement business cases for related Marketing categories
• Initiate procurement initiatives and development of approved category plans.
• Sourcing and contracting management of commodities within the category procurement portfolio.
• Negotiate commercial terms and manage contracts, ensuring compliance, value creation, and risk mitigation
• Drive strategic sourcing initiatives and show acumen towards driving new initiatives.
• Manage supplier relationships; manage contracted database and new contracts. Ensure necessary compliance processes are adhered to.
• Manage and maintain various reporting platforms and validate system integrity and data quality.
• Internal stakeholder management between procurement, operations/business and clients.
• Attend and provide support in required Cross Functional Sourcing Team meetings.
• Support and deliver on strategic business initiatives that result in the following outcomes:
  • Cost savings
  • Providing Client Delight in terms of optimal supply of service;
  • Providing “Best Practice” procurement processes to increase efficiency; and
  • Supporting and upholding a team culture of engagement.
  • Achieve transformation goals and objectives.

Qualification and Experience

• BComm (preferable) or equivalent with any other relevant post graduate qualifications
• Minimum of 10 years practical experience in marketing procurement and/or Creative or Media agency experience
• Experience with Procurement transformation projects
• Experience in sourcing, contracting and supplier management across multiple spend categories.
• International experience on Procurement projects will be advantageous.
• Experience in agency retainer negotiations

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent ability to interact and work cross functionally within organization
• Deep understanding of marketing and advertising ecosystems, including media buying, digital marketing, and agency management
• Strong planning and organizing skills
• Problem solving skills
• Project and Change management skills
• Ability to perform under pressure and deadlines
• Presentation skills and excellent communication skills
• Strong negotiating skills and ability to drive and achieve results
• Team leadership skills
• Commercial and business acumen
• Vendor management

Core Competencies

• Cultivates innovation
• Customer focus
• Drives results
• Collaborates
• Being resilient

About The Company

Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. As a large, diversified, and expanding company, we are committed to transformation and growth. While our headquarters are in South Africa, we are rapidly extending our presence into emerging markets across Africa and Asia.

With a client base of over 1 million policyholders, Santam serves individuals, commercial enterprises, specialist business owners, and institutions, including 80 of the Top 100 companies listed on the JSE. Our commitment to Insurance, Good and Proper goes beyond just providing cover—we offer peace of mind, ensuring our clients can focus on living in the moment, not worrying about the unexpected. Because at Santam, we believe the freedom to seize every day is worth protecting.

People drive our business, and we are committed to attracting the best talent, whether for permanent roles or short-term opportunities.

Santam is committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities. We are dedicated to neuro-inclusivity and fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Take the next step in your career—apply now and be part of a company that’s shaping the future of insurance. This is Freedom!