Head Of Procurement

Staff Solutions; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Staff Solutions in Gauteng seeks a strategic Procurement leader to drive end-to-end sourcing, supplier governance, and cost optimization across multi-market operations.

The role covers strategy execution, supplier relationships, inventory coordination, and cross-border trade; requires 10–15 years in procurement and a tertiary qualification; ERP/MRP system proficiency is essential.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of margins, TCO, and cross-border macro factors in Africa.
• Proven ability to negotiate with local and international suppliers.
• Experience with procurement contracts and master service agreements.
• Strong ability to manage multi-market procurement portfolios across borders.
• Comfort with ERP/MRP data analytics for reporting and dashboards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement overarching procurement strategies aligned with objectives.
• Source, benchmark, and evaluate suppliers to build a dual-sourced network across Africa.
• Lead negotiations on pricing, terms, and MSAs to optimize commercial outcomes.
• Drive continuous market analysis and supplier benchmarking for cost reduction.
• Mitigate cross-border risks, currency exposure, and geopolitical disruptions.
• Oversee purchase orders, approvals, and delivery communications to executives.
• Establish supplier KPIs and conduct performance reviews.

Skills

Commercial & Financial Acumen

Advanced Negotiation

Technical Literacy

Supply Chain & Logistics

Systems Proficiency

Soft Skills

Education

Tertiary qualification in Procurement/Supply Chain/Business

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Sage

Job description

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Procurement

• Strategy Execution: Develop and implement overarching procurement strategies that directly support and advance organizational objectives.
• Global & Local Sourcing: Source, benchmark, and evaluate local and international suppliers to ensure a resilient, dual-sourced supply network across African markets.
• Commercial Negotiations: Lead negotiations regarding pricing, commercial terms, and master service agreements (MSAs) to leverage purchasing power and achieve optimal commercial outcomes.
• Value Optimization: Conduct continuous market analysis and supplier benchmarking to identify opportunities for structural cost reduction and value improvement.
• Risk Mitigation: Develop alternative sourcing strategies to minimize cross-border supply risks, currency exposure, and geopolitical disruptions.

2. Purchasing Operations & Administration

• Workflow Oversight: Review high-value purchase requisitions and ensure competitive, multi-source quotations are obtained.
• Policy Enforcement: Ensure strict compliance with procurement procedures, approval limits, and corporate governance frameworks.
• Order Management: Oversee the preparation, issuance, and expediting of purchase orders, proactively resolving delivery issues and communicating delays to senior management.
• Data Integrity & Audit: Maintain accurate procurement records, supplier databases, and contract repositories; lead procurement audits and ensure complete compliance documentation.

3. Supplier Relationship Management

• Strategic Partnerships: Develop and maintain productive, long-term relationships with key regional and international suppliers.
• Performance Governance: Establish clear vendor KPIs and conduct regular supplier performance reviews focusing on quality, pricing, delivery, and service levels.
• Dispute Resolution: Professionally resolve complex supplier disputes and maintain objective supplier performance scorecards.

4. Inventory, Supply & Technical Coordination

• Stock Optimization: Monitor inventory levels, coordinate replenishment schedules, and support advanced inventory optimization initiatives to protect working capital.
• Technical Verification: Collaborate closely with Engineering and Operations to verify complex technical specifications prior to procurement.
• Specialised Engineering Sourcing: Oversee the procurement of specialised engineering equipment, maintenance spares (MRO), technical consumables, and specialised contracted services, recommending suitable technical alternatives where appropriate.

5. Logistics Coordination & Cross-Border Trade

• Inbound & Outbound Logistics: Coordinate complex inbound and outbound logistics activities for regional imports and exports across African borders.
• Freight Management: Liaise with freight forwarders, transport providers, and customs agents to monitor shipment progress and expedite import/export documentation.
• Tariff & Trade Compliance: Navigate international shipping frameworks, customs clearance processes, and regional trade agreements such as AfCFTA to ensure goods arrive on schedule and in compliance with applicable regulations.

6. Key Account & Commercial Coordination

• Strategic Customer Alignment: Coordinate procurement and end-to-end supply chain activities for strategic customers and major regional or international accounts.
• End-to-End Tracking: Monitor cargo movements, import/export orders, and delivery milestones from placement to final destination, proactively escalating delays to safeguard customer relationships.
• Sales Support & Pricing Strategy: Prepare accurate commercial quotations and support corporate sales activities for strategic customer accounts.
• Margin Protection: Maintain agreed customer pricing schedules, lead budgetary pricing reviews, and work alongside Finance and Sales to ensure pricing accuracy, commercial compliance, and margin protection.

7. Commercial & Financial Management

• Budgetary Control: Ensure procurement activities remain within approved corporate budgets.
• Financial Advisory: Prepare executive procurement reports, monitor purchase price variance (PPV), and support corporate budgeting and forecasting cycles.

Core Competencies & Requirements

• Commercial & Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of profit margins, total cost of ownership (TCO), and cross-border macroeconomic factors, including currency fluctuations across African markets.
• Advanced Negotiation: Proven ability to negotiate with local and international suppliers and manage complex commercial contracts.
• Technical Literacy: Strong understanding of technical procurement, engineering specifications, and MRO environments.
• Supply Chain & Logistics Expertise: Strong knowledge of intra-African shipping corridors, freight forwarding, and import/export regulatory frameworks.
• Systems Proficiency: High proficiency in modern ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Sage, or similar platforms, with the ability to utilise data analytics for procurement reporting and dashboards.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional planning, cross-cultural communication, problem-solving, attention to detail, stakeholder management, and strong ethical integrity.

Experience Profile

• 10–15 years of progressive experience within procurement and supply chain functions, with at least 5 years at senior management or executive level.
• Tertiary qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Management, Logistics, or a related field.
• Proven track record managing multi-market or regional procurement portfolios across borders
• Demonstrable success in implementing procurement transformation programswithin decentralised corporate structures.
• Bonded warehouse experience would be advantageous.