Head of Procurement

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 3,500,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation package

Global benefits

Home office allowance

Executive coaching

International travel

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Head of Procurement for a global, remote-first organization. You will design and drive a worldwide procurement strategy, lead a distributed team, and partner with senior leaders to optimize value, resilience, and compliant sourcing across business units including operations in Sandton, Gauteng.

The role requires an MBA or equivalent, CPSM/CIPS certification, and 15+ years in global procurement with expertise in remote environments, negotiations, risk management, and

Qualifications

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
• CPSM or CIPS certification is essential.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership in global procurement and strategic sourcing.
• Experience designing and implementing global procurement strategies in remote environments.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute a global procurement strategy aligned with financial objectives.
• Lead a globally distributed remote procurement team.
• Oversee strategic sourcing, category management, contracts, and SRM across spend categories.
• Drive cost savings, efficiency, and value across the global supply chain.
• Establish risk management frameworks to ensure continuity and resilience.

Skills

Global procurement leadership

Strategic sourcing

Contract negotiations

Stakeholder management

Change management

Education

MBA or equivalent advanced degree

CPSM/CIPS certification

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Data analytics tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent and rapidly expanding international conglomerate with significant operations, is seeking a seasoned and strategic Head of Procurement to spearhead their entirely remote procurement division. This executive leadership role will be instrumental in designing, implementing, and overseeing a global procurement strategy that maximizes value, ensures supply chain resilience, and fosters innovation across all business units, including those supporting operations in Sandton, Gauteng . The Head of Procurement will lead a distributed team of procurement professionals, leveraging advanced digital tools and collaborative platforms to achieve best-in-class performance. This is a unique opportunity for a transformative leader to build and shape a world-class, remote-first procurement function for a global enterprise. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in international strategic sourcing, category management, risk mitigation, and sustainable procurement practices. You will be responsible for driving significant cost efficiencies, enhancing supplier performance, and ensuring ethical and compliant sourcing practices worldwide. This remote position offers the ultimate flexibility to lead from anywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the overarching global procurement strategy, ensuring alignment with the company's strategic goals and financial objectives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing, globally distributed remote procurement team.
• Oversee all aspects of strategic sourcing, category management, contract negotiation, and supplier relationship management across all spend categories.
• Drive substantial cost savings, efficiency gains, and value creation throughout the global supply chain.
• Establish robust risk management frameworks and ensure supply chain continuity and resilience.
• Implement and champion leading-edge procurement technologies, analytics, and best practices for a remote environment.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with senior leadership and cross-functional departments to ensure procurement's strategic contribution.
• Ensure full compliance with all legal, ethical, and sustainability standards in global procurement operations.
• Manage significant procurement budgets and provide strategic financial forecasting and reporting.
• Identify and develop innovative sourcing solutions and partnerships to support business growth and competitive advantage.
• Champion diversity and inclusion within the supplier base and procurement practices.

Requirements

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• A recognized professional certification (e.g., CPSM, CIPS) is essential.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in global procurement and strategic sourcing, with a proven track record in large, complex organizations.
• Demonstrated success in designing and implementing transformative global procurement strategies in remote or distributed environments.
• Expertise in leading negotiations, managing complex global contracts, and building strategic supplier alliances.
• Deep understanding of global markets, trade regulations, and supply chain risk management.
• Mastery of advanced procurement technologies, ERP systems (SAP, Oracle), and data analytics tools.
• Exceptional executive leadership, strategic thinking, and change management capabilities.
• Outstanding communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing, geographically dispersed remote teams.
• Experience across multiple industries is a plus, with an understanding of the operational complexities relevant to regions like Sandton, Gauteng .

Benefits

• Executive-level compensation package including base salary, substantial performance-based bonus, and equity/long-term incentives.
• Comprehensive global benefits including premium health insurance, retirement plans, and executive wellness programs.
• Significant strategic autonomy and the opportunity to build a world-class remote function.
• Executive coaching and continuous professional development opportunities.
• Allowance for home office setup, technology, and ongoing work expenses.
• Potential for international travel for key strategic engagements.
• The prestige of leading a critical function for a global leader from your chosen location.