Procurement Specialist (Sourcing) - KwaZulu-Natal at RCL Foods

Job Description    

• RCL Foods is searching for a Sourcing Specialist with a strong commercial background to join our Group Services Division. This position will be based at our National Office in Westville, Durban and report to the Ingredient’s Sourcing Manager. Key Categories being managed include but are not limited to Fruit & Vegetables, Fats & Oils, Eggs, Starches and binders, Emulsifiers, other ingredients.
• The purpose of this role is to support the Sourcing Manager to strategically source, negotiate, manage and evaluate Group contracts within the specific category ensuring that Business needs are met, and the best value is negotiated for and received by the Group. To facilitate increased contract coverage and spend across the Group within the category through constant engagement with business line managers and the buyers and analysis of spend behaviors 

Minimum Requirements    

• Degree in commerce/ finance, supply chain management or a related field
• 3-5 years’ experience within a sourcing, project management and commercial management environment
• Analytical skills with demonstrated knowledge of economic indicators, cost drivers and cost analysis
• Project management experience
• Demonstrated success in developing and fostering relationships with suppliers while driving lower costs, superior performance, and continuous improvement, particularly within the specific category
• Confidence to interact and work in cross functional teams
• Advanced Excel skills
• Pragmatism – with an ability to think conceptually while maintaining a cost-conscious and practical approach to using time and resources
• Self-management – with attention to detail and strong ability to execute and follow-through
• Valid Code EB driver’s license
• Certified in COUPA CSO or similar procurement platforms would be desirable but not essential.

Duties & Responsibilities    
Strategic Support

• Within the assigned category of spend, have responsibility for understanding the category strategy and plans, working with the Sourcing Manager to deliver category analysis, sourcing exercises and general reviews of spend.
• Develop short, mid and long-term strategies for the various sub-categories ensuring delivery at the most competitive cost and risk is mitigated.
• Methodologies such as vendor rationalization, utilizing technology and flexible solutions to enhance user experience and minimize financial impact.
• Collaborate with site-based buyers to ensure Group strategies and policies are applied locally, to assess opportunities, and to drive performance improvements.
• Proactively drive regular engagement with the Business regarding its immediate and longer-term category procurement requirements and the extent to which these are being met.

Operational Management

Drive Group Sourcing Projects:

• Contribute to Group Sourcing Savings Targets by working on new projects as well as contract extensions & renegotiations.
• Source new items and suppliers based on the specifications provided by the Business by researching the supplier marketplace and obtaining samples for testing by requesting Functions.
• Analyse information within the SOURCE TO PAY system to identify opportunities to leverage spend across the group as well as source alternative suppliers.
• Produce reports and present information to relevant Functions to highlight potential sourcing or saving opportunities and update the Sourcing Manager on actions where applicable.
• Actively monitor and facilitate the update of price lists for goods and services in the catalogues within the SOURCE TO PAY system within the assigned category of spend.
• Negotiate with the incumbent suppliers to maintain competitive prices, benchmarking costs against other suppliers where necessary.

Drive Group Contract Spend:

• Achieve Contract Spend Targets across all ERP systems.
• Highlight and communicate compliance issues relating to adherence to the Group procurement policies.
• Review and analyze all requests for new contracts and recommend their approval to the Sourcing Manager if the supplier is financially and ethically sound and there is a valid reason for introducing a new contract.
• Actively monitor the suppliers being used within SOURCE TO PAY ensuring orders are placed with preferred suppliers and under negotiated contracts.

Category Spend Management:

Ensure Top Spend Categories are covered by Category Strategies.
Legal Expertise:

• Ability to independently draft service and supply legal agreements for the Group.
• Thorough understanding of the contract management process, i.e engage with the business to identify and define the scope of work, update the schedule of prices and payment terms, define the service levels, price escalation clauses, etc.
• Prepare contract amendments on a frequent basis.
• Address and resolve amendments to the standard legal terms and conditions, prepare risk assessments for limitation of liability, etc.in conjunction with Group Legal.
• Ability to hold the Supplier accountable for non-conformances/ deviation from performing the services and supply of goods as stipulated in the contract through remediation or notice of termination where relevant.
• Tender/ RFQ Management
• Solicit and evaluate proposals for Group contracts.
• Manage the administrative aspects of RFI, RFQ, RFPs, tenders, e-Auctions for Group contracts in the specific category.
• Prepare RFI, RFQ, RFPs, tenders, e-Auctions and compile tender analysis/ evaluation schedules.
• Coordinate invitations for tender and RFQ’s to the relevant suppliers.
• Communicate RFI, RFQ, RFPs, tenders, e-Auctions outcome to the business.
• Market Analysis and Forecasting
• Evaluate market conditions to develop sourcing strategies, maintain/ improve quality and influence cost controls.
• Effectively communicate with internal cross functional teams on the current and future status of products and services markets.
• Research potential and current suppliers to keep abreast of market/ procurement conditions, new technology and makes recommendations to improve supplier base and/or purchasing method.
• Forecast price trends and their impact on future activities using a forecasting tool.
• Conduct presentations about market analysis and possible growth.
• Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
• Report & Evaluation of key top 25 suppliers’ performance against SLAs, their BBBEE rating and review of their financial risk
• Evaluate and ensure potential suppliers can meet the specified requirements.
• Negotiate the lowest possible cost for the products and/or services balanced against the optimum quality and schedule needs.
• Advise team members and/or management on the appropriate supplier to be used.
• Monitor Supplier performance against SLA’s.
• Maintain positive Supplier relationships.
• Technical Expertise
• Provide ongoing advice and support on best practice to ensure continuous improvement in category contract sourcing and vendor management.
• Provide technical expertise and training to internal customers and colleagues.
• Develop specialist knowledge on assigned category and identify opportunities to deliver best value solutions and make recommendations on preferred strategies to the Sourcing Manager.
• SAP Enablement
• Work with the master data team to ensure the SAP master data related to the procurement category is accurate and up to date.
• Arrange for all new catalogues and suppliers to be promptly loaded on the SAP system.
• SHEQ and Sustainability Management
• Administer all documentation relevant to category quality assurance and conformance.
• Update and maintain the approved category supplier list for the Group.
• Support internal and external audit processes and provide any necessary documentation.