Specialist : It Sourcing

Woolworths Financial Services; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider in South Africa is seeking a Sourcing Specialist to manage commercial sourcing solutions. You will oversee the sourcing lifecycle, lead negotiations, and maximize savings while ensuring compliance. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in sourcing, especially in IT categories and experience in the financial services sector. This full-time position offers a mid-senior level challenge in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years' sourcing management experience.
• At least 3 years in IT categories.
• Strong understanding of sourcing and supplier management policy.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end sourcing lifecycle for allocated projects.
• Deliver all commercial elements of sourcing initiatives.
• Create synergy between sourcing teams and identify savings.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project management skills

Negotiation skills

Education

3-year university business degree or National Diploma

CIPS qualification (Level 4 completed or studying towards)

Job description

Main Purpose

Responsible for the development and execution of commercial sourcing solutions to realise significant value, reduce risk, and support business, service, and supplier strategies.

Focuses on less complex IT requirements (M & L risk ratings, medium to low spend, limited or no integration).

Acts as sourcing partner to the Chief Information Office Business Unit and supports Senior IT Sourcing Specialist on high-risk RFx projects when required.

Key Responsibilities

Own, manage and facilitate the complete end-to-end sourcing lifecycle for allocated projects.

Work in partnership with the Woolworths and Absa sourcing teams to maximise synergies and realise economies of scale.

Act as a subject‑matter expert throughout the sourcing lifecycle.

Identify and manage potential supplier risks per policy and standards.

Deliver all commercial and contractual elements of sourcing initiatives up to contract award, ensuring financial, risk, strategic and commercial considerations are optimised.

Work cross‑functionally with internal and external stakeholders.

Identify and manage targeted savings.

Management of Sourcing Lifecycle

Ownership of the source‑to‑contract life cycle, including procurement planning, requirement definition, sourcing, evaluation & selection, pre‑contract risk management, contract award, contracting and contract handover.

Responsible for 3‑quote supplier selection process and low‑risk RFP processes.

Ensure compliance with sourcing and supplier management policy, standards and guidelines.

Understand business strategies and develop procurement plans linked to these strategies.

Implement BBBEE strategies and incorporate supplier diversity standards throughout the lifecycle.

Liaise with Absa / Woolworths sourcing teams to maximise synergies and realise economies of scale.

Facilitate cross‑functional sourcing teams and act as subject‑matter expert for WFS sourcing.

Lead development and execution of sourcing strategies for initiatives with low‑to‑medium strategic or business risk.

Support Senior IT Sourcing Specialist on high‑risk / complex projects.

Manage supply‑side dependencies and interactions up to executive level internally and externally.

Conduct product & supplier segmentation, reviews and activities per policy and standards.

Identify relevant supplier control requirements and ensure compliance with external supplier control requirements.

Ensure pre‑contact risk activities are concluded before contract approval.

Ensure governance and regulatory requirements are met, including materiality assessments, Cloud Committee approvals and budget / business case approvals.

Maintain sound risk framework in alignment with WFS, ABSA policies and legislative governance.

Contracting and Contract Management

Deliver all commercial and contractual elements of allocated sourcing initiatives up to contract award.

Lead supplier negotiations for allocated sourcing projects.

Compile and finalize contracts.

Engage the Legal department to meet business and sourcing needs.

Obtain contract approvals per WFS board authority levels and prepare board resolutions where required.

Facilitate compilation and agreement of Service Level Agreements.

Develop an exit strategy for high and medium risk suppliers.

Maintain contract risk log and material obligations register.

Maintain contract register and monitor contracts nearing expiry.

Handover documentation to appointed Supplier Manager after sourcing completion.

Stakeholder Management

Work cross‑functionally to establish and maintain working relations with other parts of business up to senior leadership level.

Act as commercial lead on major sourcing initiatives, translating strategy into executable plans, educating and guiding wider business on commercial issues.

Initiate Oracle onboarding of newly appointed suppliers.

Produce value‑added reporting to support compliance with sourcing policy and improve third‑party supplier spend efficiency.

Report on supplier spend, sourcing project updates and continuously seek improvements to sourcing processes.

Identify, socialise, capture and realise cost savings / optimisation / avoidance.

Stay abreast of sourcing trends, market developments, relevant legislation and industry events.

Cross‑Functional People Management

Lead and facilitate cross‑functional sourcing teams throughout the source‑to‑contract lifecycle.

Manage inputs and deliverables required from internal stakeholders and suppliers.

Engage with supplier representatives on behalf of WFS.

Minimum Qualifications

3‑year university business degree or National Diploma.

Membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply and a CIPS qualification (Level 4 completed or studying towards a CIPS qualification) is advantageous.

Experience Required

Minimum of 5 years' sourcing management experience across various commodities and services, at least 3 years in IT categories; at least 2 years in the Financial Services industry.

Strong IT background and experience.

In-depth experience and successful record in commercial negotiations and contract management and administration.

Proven track record of internal and external stakeholder management including senior leadership level.

Additional Requirements

Problem‑solving and analytical skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Financial and commercial management expertise – life‑cycle costing calculations, interpretation of supplier financial statements and cost and income contribution.

Strong project and time‑management skills to complete tasks effectively to deadlines and manage multiple tasks.

High degree of initiative, creativity, innovation, proactivity.

Proven ability to collaborate and influence across multiple stakeholders and in a team environment.

A motivated self‑starter with a high energy level.

Accuracy and attention to detail.

Proven ability to work as a team player to ensure effective delivery of reporting, tasks, projects and related deliverables.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Strategy / Planning, Project Management, and Administrative

Industries

Banking and Retail

Woolworths Financial Services is a proud South African brand and is committed to transformation.

Meeting our employment equity goals will be taken into account in our recruitment decisions.