Remote Senior Purchasing Leader — Global Sourcing & Savings

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote position

Health insurance

Home office budget

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a senior purchasing leader for a fully remote role with a global e-commerce leader. You will design data-driven sourcing strategies and manage a distributed team from home, driving cost savings and supplier performance across categories.

You will negotiate international contracts, oversee supplier relationships, and ensure compliance with trade rules. The role demands 10+ years in procurement, strong leadership, and proficiency with SAP Ariba and analytics tools.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in purchasing and procurement, with at least 5 years in a senior management or leadership role.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing global sourcing strategies and achieving substantial cost savings.
• Extensive experience in negotiating complex international contracts and managing global supplier relationships.
• Deep understanding of global supply chain dynamics, international trade, and risk management.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with experience managing remote teams.
• Proficiency in advanced procurement software, ERP systems (e.g., SAP Ariba), and data analytics tools.
• A Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• An MBA or advanced degree is highly advantageous.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical prowess, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proven ability to thrive and lead effectively in a fully remote work environment.
• Must be based in South Africa and eligible to work remotely.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement innovative, data-driven global sourcing strategies for key product categories.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a distributed team of purchasing professionals, fostering a high-performance remote culture.
• Oversee all aspects of supplier selection, negotiation, and contract management on a global scale.
• Analyze market intelligence, economic trends, and supplier capabilities to identify strategic opportunities and risks.
• Drive significant cost reductions and efficiency improvements across the entire procurement lifecycle.
• Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key international suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Develop and implement robust risk management strategies for global supply chains.
• Ensure compliance with international trade regulations, ethical sourcing standards, and company policies.
• Utilize advanced procurement technologies and analytics to optimize decision-making and performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives within the remote procurement function.

Skills

Leadership

Global sourcing

Negotiation

Supply chain

Data analytics

Remote team management

SAP Ariba

Education

Bachelor's degree in SCM/Business Administration/Economics

MBA or related advanced degree

Tools

SAP Ariba

ERP software

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a senior purchasing leader for a fully remote role with a global e-commerce leader. You will design data-driven sourcing strategies and manage a distributed team from home, driving cost savings and supplier performance across categories.

You will negotiate international contracts, oversee supplier relationships, and ensure compliance with trade rules. The role demands 10+ years in procurement, strong leadership, and proficiency with SAP Ariba and analytics tools.