Remote Senior Purchasing Manager

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

About the Role

Our client, a global e-commerce leader, is looking for an experienced and visionary Senior Purchasing Manager to lead their remote procurement team. This role is fully remote and will be responsible for developing and executing sophisticated purchasing strategies across a diverse range of product categories. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of global supply chains, and a proven ability to drive significant cost savings and optimize supplier performance from a distance. This is a unique opportunity to shape procurement operations for a major online retailer, working entirely from home. The company fosters a remote-first culture, emphasizing trust, autonomy, and collaboration through digital tools. This position is specifically advertised for remote work, requiring no physical presence in **Nelspruit, Mpumalanga**, or any other office location.

Key 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.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in purchasing and procurement, with at least 5 years in a senior management or leadership role, preferably in e-commerce or a related high-volume environment.
• 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.

Benefits

• A highly competitive annual salary of ZAR.
• Fully remote position with significant work-life balance flexibility.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous annual leave and paid time off.
• Significant opportunities for professional development, including leadership training.
• Company-provided home office setup budget.
• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Performance-based bonuses and potential for stock options.
• Access to cutting-edge digital collaboration tools.
• Be part of a pioneering remote team within a leading global company.