Commodity Specialist - Networks, Telecoms and Platforms at Absa

Create strategies to get products from regional and global markets to achieve cost-effectiveness and a solid supplier base for the company. Collaborate with the Category manager on procurement issues and exchanging development updates. Manage the procurement of Networks, Telecommunications (Telco) and Platforms commodities and enhance the benefits from the projects by following the agreed-upon specifications. Resolve issues related to commodities by developing better plans for negotiation and cost reduction.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for strategic and tactical Networks, Telco and Platform commodities and non-category managed, products and as per sourcing strategy, framework, and procurement policy.
• Perform analysis of business requirements such as supply markets, supply chains, demand patterns and commodity strategies.
• Negotiate optimum commercial agreements for short (one year) and medium term (three year) contracts.
• Draft and conclude supply agreements and service level agreements for strategic and tactical Networks, Telco and Platform commodities and non-category managed goods and services.
• Consult with the Legal department to draft agreement according to the legal standards and guidelines.
• Ensure that all materials and services are sourced and procured according to specification; in accordance with the procurement policy and/or as detailed in the sourcing strategy.
• Highlight potential opportunities for items to be placed on contract.
• Implement and/or follow effective expediting procedure and monitor non-compliance.
• Manage and report all deviations in accordance with the procurement policy and/or as detailed in the sourcing strategy.
• Maintain an effective supplier database.
• Develop existing and identify new suppliers to effectively reduce the total cost of ownership associated with the procurement of products and services in Networks, Telecommunications and Platforms.
• Collaborate with the Supplier Relationship Management to monitor and track supplier performance against service level agreements including quality control where required.
• Identification and implementation of inventory and working capital reduction initiatives.
• Manage and close-off identified audits timeously as required.
• Implement and support where required, stock management, sale of redundant stock and redundant spares.
• Analysis and interpretation of procurement data and transactions for budgeting process and variance reporting.
• Assist internal customers to identify opportunities and engagement for ESD suppliers.
• Perform benchmarking on price, cost, and supply chain effectiveness.
• Execute cost savings plans and track against targets.
• Support internal customers in developing business cases when required.
• Develop and maintaining internal customer service relationships.
• Participate in and/or lead regional or global multi-functional sourcing teams.
• Load and maintain contract pricing on the Procurement systems.
• Promote and help achieve Group Procurement BBBEE preferential procurement and enterprise development objectives and targets.
• Liaise with internal and external auditors through Group Risk- Procurement department
• Compile monthly, quarterly, and annual operational reports on performance

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
 

• Familiarity or experience working with hardware components
• Ability to read stakeholder requirements and blueprints, with understanding of technology complexity
• Experience with technical procurement, designing cost effective commercial models to enable decision making
• CIPS certification
• Ability to prove a strong track record of leadership and team building
• Remarkable problem-solving skills with a bias for speed and positive impact
• Ability to learn quickly and prioritize appropriately to meet customer and company needs
• Exceptional analytical and organizational skills
• Excellent customer service skills, always produce exceptional work, highly self-motivated
• Effective written, verbal and presentation communication skills
• Strong technical knowledge and skills in current technologies and applications (e.g. MS Office Suite, COUPA, etc.)
• Detail-oriented, and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment.
• Holds self to highest ethical standards, and conducts all activities with the highest of integrity

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)