Procurement Lead

PSMP; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

PSMP in South Africa seeks a Procurement Lead to drive strategic sourcing of direct materials for a regulated pharmaceutical environment. You will manage supplier portfolios, negotiate terms, and lead cross-functional collaboration with Quality and Regulatory to ensure continuity of supply and cost efficiency.

The ideal candidate has 8–10 years in strategic procurement, postgrad or CIPS, and a proven track record in direct-material sourcing within pharma or healthcare manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in a relevant field and postgraduate qualification or CIPS.
• 8–10 years’ progressive procurement/strategic sourcing experience in pharma/healthcare or regulated manufacturing.
• Experience managing direct-material spend and complex supplier portfolios.
• Strong API, excipient/raw material or packaging sourcing and SRM experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sourcing for APIs, excipients, raw materials and packaging.
• Lead RFx processes, supplier selection, market analysis and cost benchmarking.
• Ensure supply continuity while balancing inventory and working capital.
• Coach procurement professionals and drive governance, intelligence and continuous improvement.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Commerce, Business, Pharmacy, Science, Engineering or a related discipline

Postgraduate qualification and/or CIPS

Tools

SRM tools

Job description

Our global client in the pharmaceutical industry is seeking an experienced Procurement Lead to lead the strategic procurement of direct materials, ensuring continuity of supply, cost efficiency and the development of alternate suppliers. The role will drive procurement excellence through strategic sourcing, supplier performance, compliance, quality, cost savings and sustainable business continuity.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute strategic sourcing strategies for APIs, excipients, raw materials, packaging materials and relevant indirect categories.
• Lead RFI/RFQ/RFP processes, supplier selection, market analysis and commercial negotiations, applying TCO, benchmarking and market intelligence to sourcing decisions.
• Ensure reliable and timely material availability while balancing continuity of supply, inventory, working capital and obsolescence risks.
• Develop a competitive and resilient supplier base through alternate vendor development, localisation and second-source initiatives.
• Partner with Quality and Regulatory teams on supplier qualification, audits, agreements and CAPA activities, while monitoring supplier quality, OTIF, service and cost performance.
• Deliver cost savings and COGS improvements through negotiation, benchmarking, alternate sourcing, localisation and value engineering.
• Identify and manage supply risks, developing appropriate mitigation and business continuity plans with relevant stakeholders.
• Build and manage strategic relationships with local and international suppliers, including contract negotiations and supplier performance reviews.
• Lead, coach and develop procurement professionals, establishing KPIs aligned with supply security, savings, supplier performance and service.
• Drive procurement governance, market intelligence, continuous improvement, responsible sourcing and data-based decision-making.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Commerce, Business, Pharmacy, Science, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification and/or CIPS.
• 8–10 years’ progressive procurement/strategic sourcing experience, preferably within pharmaceutical, healthcare or regulated manufacturing.
• Experience managing significant direct-material spend and complex supplier portfolios.
• Strong API, excipient/raw material and/or packaging sourcing, negotiation and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) experience.
• Proven people leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical quality, regulatory, supplier qualification and business continuity requirements.
• Multi-site manufacturing and CMO material-supply experience.

The ideal candidate is a commercially astute procurement professional with strong negotiation, supplier management, leadership, analytical and decision-making skills. They understand supply risks and cost drivers, collaborate across key functions, and prioritise compliance, supply continuity and value. If you are an experienced procurement and strategic sourcing professional ready to lead complex direct-material sourcing and strengthen supply security in the pharmaceutical industry.