Commercial Procurement Manager

This commercial leadership role involves client management, international supplier negotiations, and team management. Playing a central role in driving regional expansion, this position leads and develops the general procurement category for a technical business unit within a major supply chain group that serves key African industries, including energy, mining, and construction.

Based in Paarden Eiland, Cape Town, this full-time role requires regular international and local travel averaging approximately one week per month. The position combines strategic oversight of supplier negotiations, target market expansion, and category development with direct operational involvement in proposal preparation and order fulfillment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and retain existing client relationships to ensure ongoing operational and commercial alignment.
  

• Research target markets and target organisations to prepare tailored client proposals for the technical segment.
  

• Identify, manage, and execute new business opportunities to grow the technical category.
  

• Conduct local and international commercial travel to maintain and expand market share.
  

• Source new local and international suppliers and products to enhance competitiveness.
  

• Establish strategic supplier relationships and negotiate terms for the business unit.
  

• Formulate and execute a long-term strategic vision for category expansion.
  
  

• Formulate, implement, and monitor compliance with operational policies, procedures, and checklists.
  

• Oversee the accurate and timely preparation of client commercial and technical proposals, including specification clarifications, supplier selection, product quality standards, and profit margins.
  

• Monitor order expediting processes to ensure complete order fulfillment and client satisfaction.
  

• Manage and resolve client claims to maintain departmental standing.
  

• Hands-on involvement in preparing proposals and expediting orders directly alongside the logistics team.
  
  

• Lead, supervise, and direct a team of buyers.
  

• Manage team workload, activity levels, productivity metrics, turnaround times, accuracy, and output quality.
  

• Develop staff competence and technical capabilities.
  

• Conduct timely staff performance appraisals.
  

• Conduct regular activity analyses to evaluate performance and inform strategy refinement.
  

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of prior experience in a related procurement or technical field.
  
• Proven track record of successful leadership and team management.
  
• Sound business acumen and strategic thinking capability.
  
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
  
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English.
  
• Strong project management, organisational, and time management abilities.
  
• ERP, procurement, or inventory software systems
  
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and internationally, averaging one week per month.
  
• Proficiency in additional languages, specifically French or Portuguese is an advantage
  

Benefits

• International company
  
• Excellent team environment
  
• Medical aid
  
• Performance bonus
  
• One day hybrid
  
• International travel