Remote Category Manager - Logistics

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote position

Performance-based bonus

Career development opportunities

Exposure to global supply chain ops

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Remote Category Manager specializing in Logistics and Supply Chain services. The role is fully remote within South Africa and focuses on developing category strategies for transportation, warehousing, and distribution to drive cost efficiencies and mitigate supply chain risks.

You will negotiate with providers, manage a portfolio of logistics partners, and collaborate with internal teams to align sourcing with business objectives.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive procurement experience with a strong logistics focus.
• Proven track record of managing large-scale logistics contracts and achieving cost savings.
• Expertise in category management, strategic sourcing, negotiation, and contract management in logistics.
• Deep understanding of global and domestic transportation, warehousing, and distribution networks.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills for remote collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies for logistics and supply chain services (transportation, warehousing, fulfillment).
• Conduct market and spend analyses to identify optimization opportunities and cost savings.
• Lead negotiations with logistics providers to secure favorable terms and SLAs.
• Manage relationships with key logistics partners and monitor performance.
• Collaborate with operations, supply chain, and finance to align sourcing with business needs.
• Identify and implement risk mitigation strategies in the logistics supply chain.
• Drive innovation and best practices in logistics procurement.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Contract management

Analytical thinking

Remote collaboration

Stakeholder management

Education

Master's degree in Supply Chain / Logistics / MBA

Tools

Procurement software

ERP systems

Logistics management platforms

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing e-commerce and logistics company, is seeking a highly experienced Remote Category Manager specializing in Logistics and Supply Chain services. This role is fully remote, offering the opportunity to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive category strategies for transportation, warehousing, and distribution services, focusing on driving significant cost efficiencies, enhancing service levels, and mitigating supply chain risks. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in logistics procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a strategic mindset. Working from home, you will collaborate virtually with internal stakeholders and manage a portfolio of key logistics providers, ensuring alignment with business objectives and delivering exceptional value. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned procurement professional to lead critical sourcing initiatives in a dynamic, fully remote environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies for logistics and supply chain services, including transportation (road, air, sea), warehousing, and fulfillment.
• Conduct in-depth market analysis, spend analysis, and category assessments to identify opportunities for optimization and cost savings.
• Lead complex negotiations with logistics providers, securing favorable contract terms, pricing, and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Manage and develop relationships with key logistics partners, monitoring their performance and ensuring continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely with internal operations, supply chain, and finance teams to understand evolving needs and align sourcing strategies.
• Identify and implement risk mitigation strategies for the logistics supply chain.
• Drive innovation and best practices within the logistics procurement category.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, ethical standards, and relevant industry regulations.
• Prepare detailed reports and presentations on category performance, savings achievements, and strategic initiatives.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, new technologies, and emerging service providers in the logistics sector.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in procurement, with a strong specialization in logistics and supply chain services.
• Proven track record of successfully managing large-scale logistics contracts and achieving significant cost savings.
• Expertise in category management, strategic sourcing, negotiation, and contract management within the logistics domain.
• Deep understanding of global and domestic transportation, warehousing, and distribution networks.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills, essential for remote collaboration.
• Proficiency in procurement software, ERP systems, and logistics management platforms.
• Self-motivated and highly organized, with the ability to manage complex projects independently in a remote setting.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, global environment is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Fully remote position offering unparalleled flexibility.
• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Significant career development opportunities within a leading logistics-focused company.
• Exposure to global supply chain operations and strategic decision-making.
• Access to advanced procurement and logistics technologies.
• A dynamic, collaborative, and results-oriented remote work culture.
• Comprehensive health, wellness, and retirement benefits.