Senior Purchasing Manager, Strategic Sourcing

Placements24; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,400,000 - 2,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive health benefits

Performance bonus

Retirement plan

Hybrid work arrangement

International travel opportunities

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Purchasing Manager to lead global strategic sourcing efforts in Johannesburg, Gauteng. The role blends office collaboration with remote flexibility within a hybrid model and demands expertise in supplier negotiations, portfolio management, and cross-functional alignment.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree in a related field with 10+ years in purchasing and strategic sourcing, including 5+ years in leadership, and is fluent in English.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or related field.
• At least 10 years progressive experience in purchasing and strategic sourcing, with 5+ years in management.
• Proven track record in global sourcing strategies for complex categories.
• Exceptional negotiation, contracting, and vendor management skills.
• Strong financial analysis and TCO understanding; ERP experience (SAP/Oracle).
• Excellent leadership and stakeholder management; fluent English; additional languages a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global strategic sourcing plans to meet procurement needs.
• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers based on cost, quality, reliability, and ethics.
• Lead complex supplier negotiations for favorable terms, pricing, and SLAs.
• Manage long-term supplier relationships and drive collaboration.
• Drive cost reduction through market analysis, demand aggregation, and category management.
• Oversee end-to-end procurement process from requisition to payment; ensure policy compliance.
• Monitor market trends and geopolitical factors affecting supply chains.
• Collaborate with R&D, Operations, and Finance to align sourcing with business goals.
• Implement best practices in procurement and risk management, including sustainability.
• Lead and mentor purchasing professionals to foster high performance.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Vendor management

Negotiation

Leadership

Financial analysis

ERP systems

English fluency

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Business Administration

Master's degree in Supply Chain Management

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in the FMCG sector, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Purchasing Manager to lead their strategic sourcing efforts. This key role, based in Johannesburg, Gauteng , will operate on a Hybrid model, blending office-based collaboration with remote flexibility. You will be responsible for developing and implementing global sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, and driving cost-saving initiatives while ensuring the highest standards of quality and ethical sourcing. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional negotiation skills, a deep understanding of international markets, and a proven ability to manage complex procurement portfolios. This is a significant opportunity to shape the procurement landscape for a major corporation and contribute to its sustained competitive advantage.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive global strategic sourcing plans to meet the company's procurement needs.
• Identify, evaluate, and select new suppliers based on cost, quality, reliability, and ethical standards.
• Lead complex negotiations with key suppliers to secure favorable terms, pricing, and service level agreements.
• Manage and nurture long-term relationships with critical suppliers, fostering collaboration and mutual growth.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives through market analysis, demand aggregation, and category management.
• Oversee the procurement process from requisition to payment, ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Monitor market trends, supplier performance, and geopolitical factors impacting the supply chain.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders (e.g., R&D, Operations, Finance) to align sourcing strategies with business objectives.
• Implement best practices in procurement and supply chain management, including sustainability and risk mitigation.
• Lead and mentor a team of purchasing professionals, fostering a high-performance culture.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in purchasing and strategic sourcing, with at least 5 years in a management role.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing global sourcing strategies for complex categories.
• Exceptional negotiation, contracting, and vendor management skills.
• Strong understanding of financial analysis, cost modeling, and TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) principles.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and procurement software.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of other international languages is an advantage.
• Must be comfortable working in a Hybrid environment in Johannesburg, Gauteng .

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary package ranging from to R per annum , reflecting the strategic importance and seniority of this role. In addition to the base salary, you will receive comprehensive executive health benefits, a significant bonus structure tied to performance, and a generous retirement savings plan. The Hybrid work arrangement in Johannesburg, Gauteng provides flexibility. Further benefits include international travel opportunities, continuous professional development programs, and a stimulating work environment within a globally recognized organization.