Procurement Manager

Description

A dynamic and progressive fresh produce marketing and processing company, specializing in supplying exotic vegetables and fruits to a leading supermarket group in South Africa, is looking for a Procurement Manager.

This is a full-time on-site role at the company, located in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

The Procurement Manager will be focusing on managing all key aspects of the supply chain from origin to contract negotiation, to material receipt, to stock, ensuring continuity of supply of key raw materials to the business. There will be substantial collaboration with external relationships to foster along with a range of internal functions including, but not limited to, Procurement, Technical, Planning, Logistics, and Operations.

Responsibilities

• Supplier evaluation, contract negotiation, and contract management
• Interact with retailers
• Develop, manage, and implement sourcing strategies
• Full procurement cycle responsibility and autonomy for sourcing of materials
• Actively contribute to in-depth spend analysis and market analysis on targeted areas of spend, and across categories
• Investigate and implement ways of reducing cost by way of alternative supplier sourcing, increasing payment terms, driving supply chain efficiencies and /or negotiating better prices
• Maintain awareness of market conditions and material supply issues, identifying and mitigating supply risk and communicating any pertinent information to relevant internal and external customers through proactive supplier communications
• Stakeholder Engagement - advise and support stakeholders on business-related matters to maximize value from opportunities and supply arrangements
• Contractual and Commercial Negotiations - where appropriate manage risks and value for money through effective negotiations and appropriate contractual relationships
• Liaise with growers, seed merchants, logistics companies, freight agents
• Be passionate about order fill at the correct quality
• Ensure waste is kept to a minimum by adjusting stock levels
• Manage company’s pricing system for designated product categories
• Regular floor walks and oversee stock takes
• Visit suppliers and customers where necessary
• Liaise with transporters / freight agents
• Liaise with the Head of Procurement on grower’s availability reports & weekly splits / delivery issues.
• Assist the Head of Procurement with availability reports & weekly splits, supplier performance reports
• Utilize all resources and systems available, to maintain optimal levels of inventory and ensure continuity of supply
• Manage a small team of stock controllers
• Provide education opportunities to internal stakeholders across all formats including presentations, regarding the portfolio of products to ensure product and market awareness through collation of existing knowledge as well as provision of new information
• Build and develop strong working relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders
• Identify and qualify new suppliers to secure more cost-effective sources of supply and mitigate supply risks
• Accurate signing off of import documents for customs to include: prices, tariff codes to ensure International Payments are processed as per South African Reserve Bank laws

Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification
• Must have 5 to 7 years’ experience at Procurement Management Level – (Non Negotiable)
• Must have 10 years “Agriculture” procurement experience with 3 years at management level  – (Non – Negotiable)
• Experience in supplier evaluation, contract negotiation, and contract management
• Strong analytical skills to analyse market trends to make informed procurement decisions
• Proven expertise in procurement processes and supply chain management
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and procurement software
• Experience in FRESH PRODUCE specifically vegetables in the Retail/ FMCG environment (Non Negotiable)
• Experience in Food Safety