PROCUREMENT MANAGER

Old School Ties; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

St John’s College in Houghton, Johannesburg, seeks a highly organised Procurement Manager to lead the college’s procurement function and team. You will source, evaluate, and procure goods and services within budgets, ensuring value for money and compliance with internal controls.

The role requires strong negotiation, cost-analysis and supplier-management skills, with ERP/Sage Evolution and GAAP experience preferred. A school/non-profit background is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Matric/Grade 12 is essential.
• Diploma or Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Admin or related field preferred.
• CIPS certification or similar advantageous.
• 5–8 years in procurement with at least 2 years in supervision.
• Experience with ERP systems (Sage Evolution) and GAAP preferred.
• Experience in school/non-profit environment advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing quotations and tenders from approved/prospective suppliers.
• Raising and processing purchase orders within approved budgets.
• Negotiating pricing, terms and contracts with suppliers.
• Maintaining and updating the supplier/vendor database.
• Ensuring audit-ready procurement records and documentation.

Skills

Negotiation

Cost analysis

Supplier management

Excel

Policy compliance

ERP systems

Education

Matric / Grade 12

Procurement degree

CIPS certification

Tools

Sage Evolution

GAAP

Google Suite

Job description

St John’s College is a world-class Anglican School situated on a magnificent campus in Houghton, Johannesburg, offering quality education from Pre-Primary to Post-Matric. The school has an outstanding academic record and an excellent reputation in sport, music, drama, art and debating.

We are seeking a highly organised, proactive and detail-oriented Procurement Manager to lead the College’s procurement function. The successful candidate will be responsible for sourcing and procuring goods and services in line with approved budgets and the College’s Procurement Policy, ensuring value for money, supplier reliability, and compliance with internal controls. The role also includes leading and supervising the procurement administration team.

The ideal candidate will combine strong procurement, financial and organisational skills with a commitment to efficiency, compliance and service excellence, ensuring the effective and cost-efficient management of the College’s resources.

Main Responsibilities

• Sourcing quotations and tenders from approved and prospective suppliers.
• Evaluating supplier proposals on price, quality, and reliability, and making recommendations.
• Raising and processing purchase orders in line with approved budgets and departmental requests.
• Negotiating pricing, terms, and contracts with suppliers.
• Maintaining and updating the approved supplier/vendor database.
• Monitoring supplier delivery performance and resolving discrepancies.
• Maintaining organised, audit-ready procurement records and documentation.
• Qualification
  • Matric / Grade 12 (essential).
  • Diploma or Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field (preferred).
  • CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) certification or similar advantageous.
• Experience
  • 5–8 years’ experience in a procurement, purchasing, or buying role, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or team-leadership capacity.
  • Experience working with an accounting/ERP system (Sage Evolution & GAAP) for purchase order processing preferred.
  • Experience in a school, non-profit, or similarly structured multi-department environment advantageous.
  • Demonstrated experience negotiating supplier contracts and managing vendor relationships.
  • Sound knowledge of procurement processes, quotation/tender procedures, and supplier evaluation.
  • Understanding of contract terms, service level agreements, and basic commercial principles.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Google suites, and comfortable learning new procurement/ERP software.
  • Strong negotiation, cost-analysis, and supplier-management skills.
  • Good understanding of document control, filing, and record-keeping for audit purposes.

Behavioural Success Factors

• Resilience: Thrive under pressure, meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Service focused: Prioritise service excellence and positive interactions with team members, suppliers, and stakeholders
• Communication skills: Strong written and verbal communication to foster positive relationships and ensure clarity
• Proactive and Professional: Take initiative to improve operations and maintain high standards of service
• Time Management and Multitasking: Manage multiple tasks efficiently while maintaining focus on detail and quality
• Ethical standards: Adhere to high moral standards, making decisions with transparency and accountability
• Accountability: Take responsibility for actions and deliver tasks to a high standard
• Receptiveness to feedback: Use feedback to improve performance and adapt accordingly
• Attention to detail: Ensure accuracy in all tasks, including administrative duties and catering orders.

Members of staff are expected to demonstrate a commitment to work within the values, Anglican ethos and mission of the school.

At St John’s College, we are committed to proactive safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our children. All staff who have access to children will be vetted in accordance with the St John’s College safeguarding policy. This policy stipulates that staff are required to undergo all the necessary background checks in keeping with the requirements for safeguarding and child protection in South Africa, and all staff perform duties in accordance with our school’s HR Policies.

The school reserves the right not to proceed with the filling of the post. The appointment of candidates is at the sole discretion of St John’s College, taking into account factors such as St John’s College Employment Equity Policy. Applications are welcomed from South African citizens only or persons with a valid work permit. An application will not in itself entitle the applicant to an interview or appointment and failure to meet the minimum requirements of the advertised post will result in applicants automatically disqualifying themselves from consideration. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from St John’s College within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have been unsuccessful in your application

St John’s College, in line with POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act) will attempt to ensure the confidentiality of all applicants for this role. All reasonable measures will be in place to protect personal information but will be used in the recruitment, selection, and reporting process. By submitting your application for this position, you are recognising and accepting this disclaimer.