Senior Category Manager - Indirect Procurement

Westfalia Fruit; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Westfalia Fruit is seeking an experienced Senior Category Manager to lead their category strategy for non-fruit procurement. This pivotal role involves driving performance, managing supplier relationships, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates will have a Supply Chain Management degree and significant FMCG experience. The company offers a competitive remuneration package, including benefits and a potential annual bonus.

Benefits

Provident fund

Insured benefits

Optional annual bonus

Qualifications

• 10-15 years' experience in FMCG, agribusiness, or food manufacturing.
• Proven strategic procurement and leadership experience.
• Pan-African or global exposure preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of category strategy.
• Drive performance and standardize best practices.
• Manage complex negotiations to optimize procurement terms.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Degree in Supply Chain Management

Postgraduate degree

Tools

ERP systems

SRM systems

Business Intelligence tools

Job description

Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets.

Through our vertically-integrated supply chain, we grow, source, ripen, pack, process, and market quality avocados & fresh produce year-round across the globe. With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognized as the leading #avoexperts and are considered the supplier of choice to retail & wholesale customers, serving markets from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America, & Africa.

Located in Midrand, Westfalia Fruit has a vacancy for a suitably qualified and experienced Senior Category Manager.

Requirements

Purpose of the role: Lead the development and execution of Westfalia Africa's overarching category strategy across all 'non-fruit' procurement categories.

This high-impact role is responsible for driving performance, standardizing best practices, and improving profitability through strategic sourcing, supplier development, and collaboration with commercial, technical, and operations teams across regions including Europe, North & South America.

Act as a regional procurement leader, influencing decision-making at the executive level and shaping the future of procurement for Westfalia Fruit.

Key Responsibilities

• European Procurement Strategy Leadership: Lead Africa-wide category strategies aligned with group objectives, category segmentation, and market analysis.
• Guide the development of cross-functional sourcing strategies with measurable goals (e.g., cost savings, risk reduction, innovation).
• Create visibility of procurement performance across sites and consolidate regional supplier strategies.
• Own at least one category of supply.

Governance, Policy & Continuous Improvement

• Drive and implement governance models to standardize processes across African teams.
• Lead capability building and training initiatives for local category managers and stakeholders.
• Promote continuous improvement by tracking performance and reviewing strategic initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence

• Act as a senior business partner to various teams across Africa.
• Drive alignment on category spend, supplier relationships, innovation, and compliance.
• Present procurement strategies and results to Africa leadership, influencing business planning.

Supplier Development & Risk Management

• Oversee regional supplier performance management.
• Identify and mitigate supply risks through multi-sourcing, contractual safeguards, and market intelligence.
• Promote supplier-led innovation and co-development.

Category & Cost Management

• Ensure cost control, budget alignment, and savings delivery.
• Manage complex negotiations to optimize terms and increase value.
• Maintain category roadmaps and track strategic initiatives.

Data & Reporting Excellence

• Oversee development of reporting tools and dashboards.
• Use analytics to inform decisions and report to stakeholders.
• Contribute procurement input into business planning and financial reporting cycles.

Education & Experience

Degree in Supply Chain Management or related field is essential (e.g., CIPS, ISM). Postgraduate degree is an advantage. 10-15 years' experience in FMCG, fresh produce, agribusiness, or food manufacturing, with proven strategic procurement and leadership experience, preferably with pan-African or global exposure.

Knowledge & Skills

Strong analytical, communication, stakeholder engagement, and negotiation skills. Experience with procurement systems (ERP, SRM, BI). Strategic thinker with the ability to operate at operational and executive levels.

Behavioral Competencies

• Integrity, passion, excellence, and success.
• Excellent communication and attention to detail.
• Business acumen with problem-solving skills.
• Results-driven, team player, self-starter, capable of working independently under pressure.

Benefits

The company offers a total guaranteed remuneration package, including provident fund, insured benefits, and an optional annual bonus.

Closing date for applications: 25th June. If you do not receive correspondence by 30th July, please regard your application as unsuccessful.