Remote Category Manager - Indirect Spend

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Competitive salary

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Professional growth

Virtual team

Home office stipend

Paid time off

Online training

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Remote Category Manager to oversee indirect spend across the organization. The role is fully online, allowing you to work from anywhere in South Africa.

You will develop category strategies for IT, marketing, HR and professional services, lead sourcing events, negotiate contracts, and drive cost savings while collaborating with stakeholders. The ideal candidate has 7–10 years in strategic sourcing, strong analytical skills, and proficiency with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, or a related field.
• Master's degree or MBA is a plus.
• 7-10 years in strategic sourcing and category management, indirect spend.
• Experience in contract negotiation and supplier relationship management.
• Proficiency with procurement software and advanced Excel.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute category strategies for various indirect spend areas, aligning with business objectives.
• Conduct market analysis and assess supplier capabilities within categories.
• Lead complex sourcing events (RFPs, RFQs) and negotiate contracts globally.
• Drive cost reduction and value creation through strategic sourcing and supplier consolidation.
• Develop relationships with internal stakeholders across departments and levels.
• Oversee contract lifecycle management and ensure compliance and risk mitigation.
• Monitor supplier performance against KPIs and drive continuous improvement.
• Analyze spend data to identify savings and efficiency opportunities.
• Stay updated on indirect procurement best practices and innovations.
• Manage supplier portfolio with ethical sourcing and sustainability considerations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Strategic thinking

Virtual communication

Presentation skills

Influencing

Excel skills

E-sourcing tools

Procurement software

Contract negotiation

Remote project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, or related field

Master's degree or MBA

Tools

Procurement software

E-sourcing tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively seeking a highly experienced and strategic Remote Category Manager to oversee the procurement of indirect spend across their organization. This critical role is based entirely online, allowing you to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies for a wide array of non-production goods and services, including IT, marketing, HR, and professional services. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional analytical skills, a proven ability to drive significant cost savings, and a deep understanding of strategic sourcing methodologies. You will collaborate virtually with diverse stakeholder groups to align procurement activities with business objectives and foster strong supplier partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute category strategies for various indirect spend areas, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Conduct in-depth market analysis, identify key trends, and assess supplier capabilities within assigned categories.
• Lead complex sourcing events, including RFPs, RFQs, and contract negotiations with suppliers globally.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives and value creation through strategic sourcing, demand management, and supplier consolidation.
• Develop and manage strong, collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders across different departments and levels.
• Oversee contract lifecycle management, ensuring compliance, performance, and risk mitigation.
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed KPIs and implement continuous improvement plans.
• Analyze spend data to identify opportunities for savings and efficiency gains.
• Stay abreast of best practices in indirect procurement and implement innovative solutions.
• Manage a portfolio of suppliers, ensuring ethical sourcing and sustainability practices are upheld.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, or a related field; Master's degree or MBA is a plus.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing and category management, specifically with indirect spend.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing category strategies that deliver substantial cost savings.
• Expertise in complex contract negotiation and supplier relationship management.
• Proficiency with procurement software, e-sourcing tools, and advanced Excel skills.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking abilities.
• Excellent virtual communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects in a remote setting.
• Strong understanding of risk management and compliance in procurement.
• CIPS or other relevant professional certification is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Fully remote position, offering unparalleled flexibility and work-life balance.
• Highly competitive annual salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous contribution to retirement savings.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• A collaborative and innovative virtual work environment.
• Home office stipend to ensure a productive remote setup.
• Paid time off and national holidays.
• Access to online training and development resources.
• The chance to shape procurement strategies for a leading organization from anywhere in SA.