Senior Purchasing Manager - Remote

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work SA

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development

Career advancement

Cutting-edge tools

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Purchasing Manager for a remote-first procurement services firm in South Africa. You will oversee strategic sourcing, supplier management, and cost optimization across indirect and direct spend, driving best-in-class purchasing strategies.

The role requires 8+ years in purchasing/sourcing with ≥3 years in leadership, strong negotiation, and SAP/Oracle proficiency. Remote work across South Africa is offered.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in purchasing, procurement, or strategic sourcing.
• 3+ years in a managerial capacity.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement purchasing strategies to achieve cost savings.
• Oversee end-to-end procurement including sourcing, negotiation, and contracts.
• Maintain strong supplier relationships and performance metrics.
• Conduct market analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Lead and mentor procurement professionals for high performance.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier management

Cost optimization

Leadership

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in SCM/related field

Master's or CIPS (advantageous)

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.