CAPEX and MRO Zone Category Manager at The South African Breweries (SAB)

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

Category & Sourcing Strategy Development

• Develop, support, and execute integrated Capex and MRO category strategies aligned with Zone and Global Procurement Office (GPO) objectives.
• Collate and analyze zone and country-level spend, demand, and user requirements.
• Conduct market and industry research to understand supplier dynamics, risks, and opportunities impacting production, maintenance, and lead times.
• Drive cross-category sourcing initiatives and analytical support to optimize total cost of ownership.
• Lead spares optimization through MRP strategies, spares policies, and stores compliance.
• Drive Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) savings within maintenance and Capex-related packages.
• Identify OEM part conversion opportunities to approved alternates.
• Develop and negotiate fixed pricing, contracts, and SLAs with strategic suppliers.
• Run RFQs and tenders in line with defined sourcing processes.

Sourcing Strategy Execution & Delivery

• Ensure zone and country readiness for strategy implementation across Capex and MRO categories.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and Implementation Managers to ensure smooth execution of sourcing decisions and contracts.
• Track end-to-end order execution, proactively identifying and escalating supply, cost, or performance risks.
• Handle second-level supplier and stakeholder escalations related to delivery, quality, and performance.
• Support collaborative optimization initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
• Ensure contracts, pricing, and terms & conditions are effectively operationalized within the business.

Supplier & Performance Management

• Manage supplier performance and ensure compliance with contracted SLAs and KPIs.
• Support supplier enablement through procurement systems (Ariba/RPSS/PSS).
• Implement material and master data improvements to reduce free-text orders and process inefficiencies.
• Negotiate and implement improved payment terms where appropriate to support business cashflow.

Process, Systems & Governance

• Drive S2P optimization, including PR, GRN, and on-time payment efficiencies.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, governance standards, and relevant legislative requirements.
• Leverage procurement systems such as SAP, Ariba, eAuctions, and analytics tools to deliver insights and results.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain and Logistics or Purchasing
• 3 years procurement experience in CAPEX or MRO (Maintenance) category management role
• Sound knowledge of procurement systems like Ariba and use of eAuction
• Knowledge of SAP an advantage
• Knowledge on packaging, utilities, brewing equipment is an advantage
• Knowledge on commercial category is an advantage (fridges, draught & glassware) 
• CIPS or equivalent Purchasing Professional accreditation
• Pan African / Regional or Global category management experience