Senior Purchasing Manager - Remote

Placements24; KwaZulu-Natal; Remote; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Remote work

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Purchasing Manager to lead strategic sourcing and supplier management in a remote, SA-based role. You will drive cost optimization across direct and indirect spend while mentoring a distributed procurement team.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in purchasing/procurement with at least 3 years in leadership, plus experience with SAP/Oracle and strong negotiation skills. This remote-first position supports South Africa-wide operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in SCM, Business Admin, Finance or related field.
• 8+ years in purchasing/procurement with 3+ years in management.
• Experience in contract negotiation and supplier relationships.
• Proficiency with SAP or Oracle and ERP systems.
• Strong analytical and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute purchasing strategies to achieve cost savings.
• Manage end-to-end procurement including sourcing, negotiation, contracts, supplier evaluation.
• Lead a team of procurement professionals.
• Ensure policy compliance and ethical purchasing.
• Oversee budgeting and financial reporting related to procurement.
• Drive procurement innovation and risk management.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (SCM / Business / Finance)

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and rapidly expanding procurement services firm, is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Purchasing Manager to join their completely remote team. This pivotal role will involve overseeing strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and cost optimization initiatives across a diverse portfolio of indirect and direct spend categories. You will be instrumental in developing and implementing best-in-class purchasing strategies that align with the company's ambitious growth objectives and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will thrive in a remote-first environment, demonstrating exceptional autonomy, proactivity, and a commitment to collaborative success across distributed teams. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact from anywhere within South Africa and contribute to a forward-thinking organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive purchasing strategies to support business needs and achieve cost savings targets.
• Manage the end-to-end procurement process, including sourcing, negotiation, contract management, and supplier performance evaluation.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key suppliers and stakeholders.
• Conduct market analysis to identify potential cost-saving opportunities and emerging trends.
• Lead and mentor a team of procurement professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and high performance.
• Implement and enforce purchasing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance and ethical practices.
• Collaborate with internal departments to understand their purchasing requirements and provide expert guidance.
• Oversee budget adherence and financial reporting related to procurement activities.
• Drive innovation in procurement practices to enhance efficiency and value.
• Effectively manage risks associated with the supply chain and supplier base.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in purchasing, procurement, or strategic sourcing, with at least 3 years in a managerial capacity.
• Proven track record of successfully implementing cost-saving initiatives and delivering significant value to organizations.
• Extensive experience in contract negotiation and management, with a strong understanding of legal implications.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage robust supplier relationships.
• Expertise in using procurement software and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities, with experience in developing and motivating teams.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, comfortable engaging with senior leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• A bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field is required; a Master's degree or relevant professional certification (e.g., CIPS) is highly advantageous.
• Must be self-disciplined, highly organized, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a remote work setting.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary package.
• Opportunity to work remotely from any location within South Africa .
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and holiday allowance.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Access to cutting-edge procurement technology and tools.
• A collaborative and supportive remote work culture.
• Potential for career advancement within a growing organization.