Partner Relations Manager

Recru-it; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology procurement firm in Johannesburg is looking for a Procurement Specialist to handle the purchasing of products and services from regional vendors. The role focuses on maintaining long-term relationships and supporting internal stakeholders, particularly in sales and project delivery. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, with strong negotiation and analytical skills. Preferred experience includes procurement from international suppliers.

Qualifications

• 5 years’ experience in telecommunications industry, data networking products required.
• Experience in procurement from international suppliers, mainly in Africa and Middle East preferred.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for procurement of company's products and services.
• Support sales and project teams in growth and delivery objectives.
• Establish and maintain long-term vendor relationships.

Skills

Product knowledge of Ethernet, MPLS and Internet data solutions

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Basic Cost-Accounting skills

Strong negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in commerce, supply chain or related qualification

Job description

SUMMARY : Job Purpose

Responsible for procurement of the company’s products and services from regional vendors, in order to support internal stakeholders, by establishing and maintaining long‑term beneficial relationships and strategies. The role supports sales and project teams in their growth and delivery objectives.

Key Performance Areas

• Procurement 30%
• Partner Relations Management 20%
• SLA & Credit Management 10%
• Stakeholder Management - Legal Compliance 10%
• Cost Savings - Supplier Changes 15%
• Cancellations 15%

Competency Requirements for Position

Knowledge

• Product knowledge of Ethernet, MPLS and Internet data solutions
• Knowledge of ISP / data solution providers and markets across Africa
• Basic knowledge of telco regulations and legislation in various countries

Skills

• Basic Cost‑Accounting skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with vendors for competitive advantage
• Report Writing skills
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)

Behavioral

• Strong negotiation skills
• Strong Business Acumen
• Analytical skills
• Accurate, attention to Detail
• Deadline driven
• Planning and Organisational skills
• Initiative
• Ability to prioritise
• Problem‑solving skills
• Stress tolerance
• Team player

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in commerce, supply chain or related tertiary qualification
• Project management or service delivery background advantageous

Minimum Experience

• 5 years’ experience in telecommunications industry, data networking products (MPLS, Ethernet, WAN, etc.).
• Experience in procurement from international suppliers, predominately in Africa and Middle East (preferable)

Other Requirements

• Valid passport
• Willing to travel internationally on an ad hoc basis
• Prepared to work overtime, if required

Job Grade : D1

Key Stakeholder Relationships

Internal

• Finance
• Procurement
• Operations
• Sales
• Project Managers
• Quality Assurance
• Contract Manager

External

• Customers
• Vendors / suppliers
• Attorneys

Key Performance Areas & Indicators

Procurement

• Request pricing for all access sourcing to meet client requirements – within 48 hours
• Ensure services are sourced and negotiated at market‑related prices or less.
• Drive Big Deal spreadsheet and work with CM's to provide final pricing – ownership of pricing.
• Negotiate further discounts, based on qualified requests, and obtain official quotes for all requests at 100% probability – within 48 hours.
• Fully engage with Commercial Manager to confirm any technical requirements, SLA and delivery lead times for all qualified requests.
• Analyze and compare local access pricing received against existing price books.

Partner Relations Management

• Work with suppliers, ensuring open and transparent communication of supplier feedback – effective cooperation between parties.
• Develop, review and refine supplier scorecards and procedures – performance metrics.
• Conduct supplier reviews based on scorecards and implement PIP where needed – supplier scorecards.
• Leverage scorecard analytics to make data‑driven decisions and recommendations to stakeholders and leaders – corrective action implemented.
• Manage and resolve supplier escalations from internal departments – accurate, timely identification of potential risks.
• Responsible for resolving supplier invoice holds and payment issues from suppliers – assist the Finance Department.

SLA & Credit Management

• Ensure SLA criteria including penalties are in place with all vendors – accurate feedback, on time, in the required format.
• Analyze monthly SLA reporting received from QA for non‑performance.
• Negotiate necessary credit note with the supplier based on SLA reporting.
• Obtain necessary credit note and ensure captured by Finance.

Stakeholder Management – Legal Compliance

• Ensure onboarding compliance document prior to commencing commercial discussions with potential supplier – RFI document.
• Ensure NDA agreement is in place prior to requesting pricing and sharing requirements to new potential suppliers – NDA agreement.
• Manage and resolve supplier escalations from internal departments.
• Assist Finance Department to resolve invoicing and billing disputes.
• Issues resolved promptly.
• Ensure all legal compliances are in place prior to billing received from new suppliers – MSA, SLA, operating license.

Cost Savings – Supplier Changes

• Present commercial model to confirm feasibility and get the necessary approval from all departments – derive commercial model.
• Ensure orders with suppliers are placed timely for local access – double billing occurrences.
• Ensure existing circuits are cancelled timely – no failed cancellations.
• Ensure providers turn down the old link and billing has stopped – close loop with Finance departments involved.
• Drive the various departments involved to ensure the migration is completed within the necessary timelines – program management of project plan with PM agreement.

Cancellations

• Request cancellation terms from suppliers – all requests processed same day.
• Timely and accurate processing of all requests on sales tool and TWYN.
• Complete the full cancellation process on TWYN including confirmation that billing has stopped with the supplier – within an average of 2 days.