Lead Purchasing Officer (Remote)

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

private health insurance

a generous retirement savings plan

performance bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Lead Purchasing Officer to oversee global procurement while working remotely from Cape Town-based projects. In this senior role you will craft purchasing strategies, lead a remote team, negotiate with international suppliers, and drive cost savings and risk management through data analytics.

The ideal candidate holds a Master's in SCM, 8+ years in purchasing with leadership experience, and exceptional communication to operate effectively in a distributed

Qualifications

• Master's degree in supply chain management or related field.
• ≥8 years in purchasing/procurement with ≥3 years in leadership.
• Proven track record leading remote/global procurement teams.
• Expert negotiation to secure significant cost savings.
• Experience with ERP and procurement software.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for remote work.
• Proven ability to manage complex remote projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop global purchasing strategies and policies.
• Lead and mentor a remote procurement team.
• Negotiate contracts with domestic and international suppliers.
• Analyze spend, market trends, supplier performance.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Oversee end-to-end procurement processes and compliance.
• Mitigate supply chain risks through planning and diversification.
• Drive procurement transformation using data analytics.
• Present reports to executive leadership.
• Ensure legal and ethical compliance in purchasing.

Skills

Leadership

Remote leadership

Negotiation

Strategic sourcing

Stakeholder communication

Data analysis

Education

Master's in Supply Chain Management

Tools

ERP systems

Procurement software

Collaboration tools

Job description

About the Role

This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned Lead Purchasing Officer to join our client's globally distributed team. Operating entirely remotely, this pivotal role will oversee and enhance the company's purchasing strategies and operations. You will be instrumental in driving efficiency, cost savings, and supply chain resilience across all markets. As a remote-first organization, we are looking for a self-motivated and highly organized individual who thrives in a virtual environment and possesses outstanding communication skills to collaborate effectively with a geographically dispersed team. This position is based out of our virtual operations hub, serving the needs of our Cape Town, Western Cape based projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive purchasing strategies and policies for a global portfolio.
• Lead a team of procurement professionals, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance management remotely.
• Negotiate complex contracts with key domestic and international suppliers to secure optimal pricing and terms.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of spend, market trends, and supplier performance to identify strategic opportunities for cost reduction and value enhancement.
• Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Oversee the end-to-end procurement process, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and best practices are upheld across all virtual operations.
• Mitigate supply chain risks through proactive planning, supplier diversification, and robust contract management frameworks.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement function, leveraging technology and data analytics.
• Prepare and present detailed reports and recommendations to executive leadership on procurement initiatives and performance.
• Ensure adherence to all relevant legal, ethical, and company compliance standards in all purchasing activities.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in purchasing, procurement, or strategic sourcing, with at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated success in leading remote teams and managing global procurement operations.
• Expert negotiation skills with a proven ability to secure significant cost savings.
• Proficiency with advanced procurement software, ERP systems, and virtual collaboration tools.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, essential for a remote role.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and drive results in a fully remote setting.
• High degree of self-discipline, motivation, and time management skills.
• Experience working with suppliers in various international markets.

Benefits

This role offers a highly competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with comprehensive benefits including private health insurance, a generous retirement savings plan, and performance bonuses.

• private health insurance
• a generous retirement savings plan
• performance bonuses

As a fully remote position, it offers unparalleled flexibility and the ability to work from anywhere.

Our client is committed to employee growth, providing access to continuous learning and development programs, and opportunities for advancement within a forward-thinking, global organization. You will be part of a supportive and innovative virtual work culture.