HEAD OF PROCURMENT
Job Purpose
The Head of Procurement will lead and oversee the organization’s total procurement function, covering both direct materials (raws & packaging) and indirect goods & services. This role provides strategic direction, governance, and leadership to ensure procurement delivers cost efficiency, supply reliability, innovation, sustainability, and long-term value creation. Reporting directly to the CFO and functionally to Regional Head of Procurement (Africa), the Head of Procurement will act as a key business partner to senior leadership, aligning procurement with organizational goals and enabling competitive advantage in the FMCG/beverage sector.
Key Accountabilities and Outputs
Strategic Leadership
Develop and implement a group-wide procurement strategy covering all spend categories (raws, packaging, logistics, IT, marketing, services, facilities, capex, etc.).
Build and lead a high-performing team (Procurement Managers and Assistants), fostering capability development and accountability.
Translate business strategy into clear procurement objectives and KPIs.
Support the Regional Head to identify opportunities if any for whole Africa synergies where applicable.
Direct & Indirect Procurement Oversight
Oversee direct procurement of raw materials and packaging (e.g., sugar, PET, cans, flavours, cartons).
Oversee indirect procurement (e.g., MRO, fleet, marketing, professional services, IT, HR, facilities).
Drive synergies, standardization, and efficiency across categories.
Supplier & Market Management
Build strategic supplier partnerships to secure quality, service, innovation, and competitive pricing.
Lead high-value contract negotiations and ensure governance over SLAs.
Ensure proactive market intelligence and risk management across commodities and services.
Cost, Cash & Value Creation
Deliver annualized savings targets (R/Case, cost-per-unit metrics).
Optimize payment terms, working capital, and total cost of ownership (TCO).
Promote innovation in packaging, reformulation, sustainability, and supplier development.
Governance & Compliance
Ensure all procurement activities adhere to company policy, regulatory standards, and ethical practices.
Champion sustainability (plastics reduction, recycling partnerships, BBBEE preferential procurement).
Establish effective policies, processes, and reporting systems.
Stakeholder & Executive Engagement
Act as advisor to the CEO and Board on procurement strategies, risks, and opportunities.
Partner with operations, R&D, finance, and marketing to deliver value beyond cost.
Represent the company in industry forums and supplier partnerships.
Have constant reviews with Regional Head of Procurement and Supply Chain on main KPIs
Reporting & Analytics
Lead spend analysis, supplier scorecards, and procurement reporting dashboards.
Drive digital enablement of procurement (ERP, SAP S/4HANA, analytics tools).
Provide clear and timely performance reporting to senior leadership.
Ensuring all Procurement Reports / Analysis are reviewed with Regional Head of Procurement (Africa)
Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or related discipline (Master’s preferred).
Professional certifications (CIPS, CPSM, CPM) highly desirable.
10–12 years’ procurement experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
Proven track record of strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and procurement transformation in FMCG or manufacturing.
Strong financial acumen, commercial awareness, and ability to influence at executive level.
Advanced ERP (SAP S/4HANA) and analytics proficiency (Excel, Power BI, etc.).
Demonstrated success in driving cost savings, supplier development, and sustainable sourcing.
Key Competencies
Strategic thinking & execution under pressure.
Financial & commercial acumen.
Advanced problem-solving, decision-making, and project management.
Strong influencing, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Change leadership & continuous improvement orientation.
Behavioural Competencies
Planning and Organising
Manages time effectively, ensuring effective completion of tasks under stressful deadlines.
Able to prioritise activities and resources, ensuring that results are achieved effectively.
Able to evaluate progress and make appropriate adjustments to initial plans, ensuring a successful outcome.
Strategic Thinking
Identifies and fills gaps in information required to understand strategic issues.
Formulates a "pig picture" understanding.
Ability to organises information and data to identify or explain trends, problems, and causes; compares and combines information to identify underlying issues.
Generates and considers options for actions to achieve a long-range goal or vision develops decision criteria considering factors such as cost, benefits, risks, timing, and buy-in; selects the strategy most likely to succeed.
Identifies the key tasks and resources needed to achieve objectives.
Makes sure strategies are executed; monitors results and makes adjustments as needed.
Project Management
Conducts team building exercises or events
Provides team-based rewards and performance measures
Develops a team charter and guidelines boundaries with other teams or business units
Provides role clarity and defines boundaries with other teams or business units
Clarifies assignments and accountabilities within the team
Continuous Improvement
Increases performance expectations when success has been achieved
Seeks out sources of information, including trade associations, “best practice” companies, customers, peers, subordinates, etc.
Finds ways to fast-adapt improvement ideas to work processes
Proactively seeks out resources, alliances, etc., needed to quickly introduce improvements
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