Head of Procurement

The Head of Procurement will be responsible for leading and centralizing the procurement processes across the company's various companies in the Guardsman Group.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Head of Procurement will be responsible for leading and centralizing the procurement processes across the company's various companies in the Guardsman Group, ensuring cost efficiency, quality control, and compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

KEY ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategic Procurement Management:

• Develop and implement a centralized procurement strategy that aligns with the company's overall strategic goals.
• Manage and optimize supplier relations to ensure best practices in pricing, quality, and delivery.
• Lead the transition from decentralized to centralized procurement processes.

2. Cost Management:

• Achieve cost reductions through strategic sourcing, bulk purchasing, and negotiation of better terms with suppliers
• Implement budget management practices and ensure all procurement activities are within the approved budget.
• Conduct regular market analysis to stay updated on industry trends and leverage opportunities for cost savings.

3. Supplier Management:

• Develop a centralized supplier database and manage comprehensive supplier contracts.
• Establish criteria for selecting suppliers and set up an evaluation system to assess their performance.
• Ensure diversity in the supply chain by including a variety of vendors, including minority and women-owned businesses.

4. Policy and Compliance:

• Develop and enforce procurement policies and procedures to ensure all purchasing activities comply with international and local regulations and standards.
• Implement robust internal control mechanisms to prevent fraud and manage risks.
• Coordinate with the legal department to ensure contracts are comprehensive and protect the company’s interests.

5. Technology and System Integration:

• Oversee the implementation of procurement technologies that facilitate efficient operations, such as e-procurement systems.
• Ensure the integration of procurement systems with other financial and operational systems within the company.

6. Team Leadership and Development:

• Build and manage a procurement team capable of executing the strategic goals of the department.
• Develop training programs to enhance the skills of the procurement team and ensure they are up-to-date with the latest procurement strategies and technologies.

7. Reporting and Analysis:

• Develop and maintain a system of reporting that provides detailed insight into procurement activities, supplier performance, and cost analysis.
• Regularly report to senior management with updates, opportunities, and recommendations.

8. Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility:

• Ensure that procurement practices support the company’s sustainability goals by selecting eco-friendly materials and technologies.
• Promote ethical procurement practices throughout the company’s supply chain.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Communication - Give full attention to what others are saying, speaking in clear, concise manner, writing clearly, understanding written statements on a work-related document, and being able to explain technical material.

• Time Management - Managing his or her time effectively and that of the team s/he supervises, being able to perform effectively while under stress.

• Interpersonal - Consistently display excellent interpersonal skills, team building skills and effective verbal and listening skills.

• Computer - Displays the ability to operate spreadsheet and word processing programmers.

• Strong organizational, decision making and problem-solving skills

• Compliance

• Change Management

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Oral Comprehension - the ability to listen and understand information and ideas presented through the spoken word; strong oral and written comprehension.

• Oral Expression - the ability to listen and understand convey information and ideas while speaking so that others will understand

• Written Expression - the ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

• Deductive Reasoning - the ability to apply general, accepted rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

• Inductive Reasoning - the ability to combine pieces of information to form general conclusions; often by finding relationships between seemingly unrelated events.

• Problem Sensitivity – the ability to sense when something is wrong, or is likely to go wrong.

QUALIFICATIONS & WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Proven experience in procurement or a similar role, preferably in a large, multi-unit organization

• Strong leadership skills and experience in managing a team.

• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.

• Knowledge of supply chain management software and database systems.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; a Master’s degree is preferred.

CONDITIONS RELATED TO THE JOB:

• Normal office conditions 

• May be required to work beyond normal working hours. 

• Spend long hours sitting and using office equipment, computers and attending sessions. 

We appreciate all applicantions, however, ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted.