Group Procurement Manager: Strategic Projects

Sanlam; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 000 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services group is seeking a seasoned procurement manager to oversee strategic procurement projects in Cape Town. The role involves managing supplier relationships, driving cost efficiencies, and ensuring compliance with procurement policies. Ideal candidates should possess over 10 years of experience in the procurement space, preferably in financial services, and demonstrate strong leadership skills. This role offers an opportunity to make significant impacts on procurement strategies within a respected organization.

Benefits

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Opportunity to shape procurement strategies

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years practical experience in procurement and/or supply chain environment.
• Experience with procurement transformation projects, especially Mergers and Acquisitions.
• International experience on Procurement projects is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate strategic procurement projects across the Sanlam Group.
• Drive strategic sourcing initiatives and achieve cost savings.
• Engage with senior business partners to ensure consistent application of procurement policy.

Skills

Excellent ability to interact and work cross functionally

Strong planning and organizing skills

Problem solving skills

Project and Change management skills

Presentation skills and excellent communication skills

Strong negotiating skills

Commercial and business acumen

Vendor management

Education

BComm or equivalent with relevant post graduate qualifications

Admitted Attorney with LLB or recognized legal degree

Member of Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS) or Project Management Institute (PMI)

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 primarily manage and co-ordinate strategic procurement projects across the Sanlam Group. This role will be responsible for executing strategic category management that will drive 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
• Development of procurement business cases for related spend categories
• Initiate procurement initiatives and development of approved category plans.
• Sourcing and contracting management of commodities within the category procurement portfolio.
• Management of costs & achieve savings against budget.
• 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
• Admitted Attorney with LLB or any recognised legal degree is advantageous
• Member of Charted Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS) and/or Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Minimum of 10 years practical experience in procurement and/or supply chain environment in financial services
• Experience with Procurement transformation projects especially Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
• Experience in sourcing, contracting and supplier management across multiple spend categories.
• Experience in benchmarking
• International experience on Procurement projects will be advantageous.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent ability to interact and work cross functionally within organization
• 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 & ability to drive & achieve results
• Commercial and business acumen
• Vendor management

Core Competencies

Cultivates innovation - Contributing through others Customer focus - Contributing through others Drives results - Contributing through others Collaborates - Contributing through others Being resilient - Contributing through others

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!