Head of Procurement

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

Key Responsibilities:

Develop procurement strategies

• Develop and implement procurement strategies that align with the company's objectives, focusing on cost optimization, quality assurance and sustainability initiatives.
• Ensure procurement process are efficient, transparent and compliant with market best practices
• Develop and present procurement strategies for review and alignment to the company’s strategy.

Build and Lead Procurement Team:

• Recruit, train and develop a high-performing procurement team.
• Define roles and responsibilities, and foster a culture of accountability and collaboration within the team and across internal and external stakeholders.
• Set annual performance objectives and manage team performance to ensure that they achieve of the company’s strategy and employee development goals
• Provide mentorship and guidance to team members to support their professional growth.

Establish Processes and Policies:

• Design and implement procurement processes, policies, and procedures.
• Standardize procurement workflows to optimize efficiency and ensure consistency.
• Develop guidelines for vendor selection, contract negotiation and purchase approval.
• Collaborate closely with project managers, engineers, finance and other stakeholders to align procurement activities

Vendor Management and Relationship Building:

• Oversee vendor selection, evaluation and contract negotiation processes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure reliable, cost-effective sourcing, timely delivery and adherence to specifications.

Sourcing and Cost Optimisation:

Lead strategic sourcing initiatives to identify new suppliers and expand vendor networks.

• Implement process to identify sourcing requirements early in the business development process to assist with cost optimization and achievement of company strategy.
• Ensure early supplier involvement in cost management initiatives to ensure achievement of associated targets.
• Provide support in analyzing requests for proposals and preparing recommendations that are legal, ethical and demonstrate value for the organization

Supply chain management

• Develop and implement supply chain strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand demand forecasts and requirements.
• Develop contingency plans to address supply chain disruptions.
• Implement supply chain visibility tools and systems to track the movement of goods and identify potential bottlenecks.

Risk Management:

• Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in the supply chain and develop mitigation strategies.

• Monitor market dynamics, regulatory changes and geopolitical factors that may impact procurement activities.
• Implement measures to ensure business continuity and resilience in the face of supply chain disruptions.

Implement Technology Solutions:

• Assess and implement procurement technology solutions to streamline processes and improve visibility and control on both procurement spend and initiatives.
• Leverage e-procurement platforms, spend analysis tools, and supplier management systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Analyse and implement improvements to ensure the most efficient use of systems to reduce- risks, costs and improve time efficiency.
• Provide training and support to team members to maximize the utilization of procurement technologies.

Ensure Compliance:

• Establish and enforce compliance standards related to procurement practices and regulations.
• Ensure adherence to legal requirements, ethical standards and company policies.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure procurement performance.
• Develop reporting mechanisms to track KPIs, analyze trends and communicate insights to senior management.
• Identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions to enhance procurement effectiveness.

Drive Continuous Improvement:

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the procurement department.
• Encourage innovation, creativity, and best practices to optimise procurement operations.
• Solicit feedback from stakeholders and implement initiatives to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Work closely with the business development technical department to ensure any new industry and project innovation specification are addressed timeously.
• Stay informed about market trends, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation in procurement processes, supply chain management & processes to enhance efficiency and reduce expenses

Budgeting and Financial

• Set annual budget and manage spend of the department budget in line with budgeting parameters
• Prepare monthly reports indicating progress on key performance objectives.
• Prepare forecasts of procurement spend to support forecasting for the business.

Sustainable Development

• Develop and implement Enterprise and supplier development strategies and initiatives
• Promote transformation throughout procurement
• Review and support local content strategies across operating jurisdictions

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field. Master's degree and professional certifications
• Proven experience (8+ years) in procurement and supply chain management, preferably within the renewable energy sector or similar industries, with a track record of successfully building procurement departments, designing and implementing strategies, policies and procedures.
• Preferably with a strong understanding of renewable energy technologies, equipment and materials, with the ability to anticipate market trends and identify strategic sourcing opportunities.
• Excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, with experience in leading cross-functional teams and driving organisational change initiatives.
• Proficiency in procurement software, ERP systems, and data analytics tools to streamline procurement processes and optimize decision-making.

Preferred skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills both verbal and written
• Passionate leadership, resourcefulness, confidence, and the ability to work under pressure
• Hands on and proactive management style
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Delivery of exceptional service to internal and external stake holders
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to convey information understandably
• General ERP knowledge, specific knowledge of SAP B1 will be an advantage but is not essential
• Ability to implement systems specific to project management, supply chain management and stock management
• Ability to understand and interpret legal clauses that has a financial or commercial impact

Location:

This position is based preferably in Cape Town, but Johannesburg would be considered, with occasional travel to project sites and supplier facilities as required.